The city of Santa Monica is making strides to address homelessness with the implementation of its Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) projects, such as The Laurel. PSH aims to provide stability and wrap-around services for individuals with chronic health conditions who have endured years of trauma without a roof over their heads. In a recent communication from the City of Santa Monica's official website, residents and specialists, including outreach workers and case managers, were reported to have been seen tackling paperwork on move-in day at this city-funded project.
However, not everybody qualifies for a spot in these coveted PSH apartments. Santa Monica's version of PSH is exclusively available to its "Santa Monica Priority Population" (SMPP)—a group defined by criteria that emphasize local connections to the city. According to the city's blog post, potential residents either must have lost housing in Santa Monica, worked there at the time they became homeless, have been homeless in the city for at least five years, or be high utilizers of city services, such as first responders.
Not everyone in need can access these resources. The guidelines clearly state that individuals who cannot live independently due to requiring a higher level of care are not candidates for PSH. Additionally, the Santa Monica Housing Authority's background check can be a barrier for those with certain criminal convictions in the past three years or lifetime registered sex offenders, as detailed in the city's communication.
For individuals not classified under the SMPP who find themselves in Santa Monica, the city offers alternative solutions. Outreach teams and the Police Department's Homelessness Liaison Program (HLP) work to connect these individuals to Project Homecoming or similar county and regional resources, an effort characterized by the blog as an important part of the city's strategy for addressing homelessness.
