Amidst efforts to combat homelessness, the Santa Monica City Council has approved a new quarter for affordable apartments on city-owned land at 4th Street, signaling a significant push toward addressing the housing crisis. In their meeting this Tuesday, the council greenlit a design consisting of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom units complemented by retail spaces on the ground floor and parking for both residential and commercial use. The staff has also been tasked with considering, the addition of another floor, a move that would require subsequent council approval.

The project is designed to cater to residents earning between 30 to 80 percent of the Area Median Income, including individuals currently experiencing homelessness. According to the City of Santa Monica, this endeavor is aligned with the city's strategic priorities, particularly the focus on Addressing Homelessness and furthering Justice, Equity & Diversity.

Real estate developer EAH has been proactive in incorporating community insights into the nucleus of its design process. "Moving forward in bringing affordable and permanent supportive housing to city-owned land is a key step in our strategy to fulfill our Housing Element requirements," said Santa Monica Mayor Phil Brock, as per the City of Santa Monica. Congressman Ted Lieu has played a pivotal role, securing $2 million via the 2022 House Appropriations Bill, alongside additional state funding to propel the initiative forward.

With this development, Santa Monica takes a firm stride toward reshaping the landscape of local affordable housing options and mitigating one of the city’s most pressing social issues - homelessness. For more details on the plans and accessible meeting records, the public has been directed to visit the official city website.