Horvath directs termination of Santa Monica Housing Projects
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath (D-Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Calabasas, Malibu, Universal City, Sherman Oaks) announced yesterday that she has directed the termination of the proposed Ocean Avenue interim housing projects in the City of Santa Monica.
Horvath also called on the Department of Mental Health (DMH), St. Joseph Center, and the City of Santa Monica to work together to identify alternative locations for these urgently needed services.
This action comes after members of the Santa Monica community complained about the citing and lack of transparancy on converting former senior living buildings in the 400 and 800 blocks of Ocean Avenue into 49 units of supportive housing for people with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.
“When a project moves forward without community awareness, it erodes trust. In this case, that trust has been broken, and the community is right to be frustrated. That’s why I have directed the termination of the Ocean Avenue projects and directed DMH to work with St. Joseph Center and the City of Santa Monica to identify alternative sites that meet community needs,” said Horvath.
“The lack of transparency and coordination in this process is unacceptable. It’s exactly why I directed the County to unify all homelessness and behavioral health housing programs under one coordinated department — to ensure clear leadership, consistent communication, and accountability as we address our homelessness crisis.
The need for mental health and housing resources remains urgent. We must all work together to deliver the solutions we need.”
Santa Monica charts path to realignment
The Santa Monica City Council tonight is poised to embark on a significant renewal effort as it will likely vote on adopting the Santa Monica Realignment Plan at its meeting tonight.
The proposal is a comprehensive, multi-year framework developed in response to City Council-directed strategic priorities. These priorities are intended to restore public safety and cleanliness, revitalize the local economy, rebuild organizational capacity, and achieve long-term fiscal balance for Satna Monica by FY 2027-28.
“This plan is about getting Santa Monica back on its feet – safe streets, vibrant neighborhoods, and a city organization strong enough to deliver,” said Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete. “Realignment is our roadmap to a safer, cleaner, fiscally stable, and more hopeful future.”
The Realignment Game Plan responds to years of pandemic-era disruption, rising public safety and homeless concerns, visible deterioration of public spaces, and declining revenues that have eroded the city’s once-strong financial foundation. The plan proposes a unified strategy to re-establish Santa Monica as a safe, clean and vibrant coastal community, anchored through programs and projects that are organized around five strategic priorities.
The five priorities are achieving safe neighborhoods and clean streets, activating economic opportunity and growth, developing affordable, livable, and secure housing for all, creating organizational capacity, and building organizational health.
Residents can review the complete staff report and attachments at santamonica.gov and are invited to attend or livestream the City Council meeting at 5:30 pm, tonight, Oct. 28 in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 1685 Main Street in Santa Monica.
Bass, Barger lead civic engagement program empowering foster youth
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger (R-Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, San Marino, Pasadena, La Cañada-Flintridge, portions of the San Gabriel Valley) last week led the L.A. Foster Youth Shadow Day program, which offered foster youth firsthand experience in civic leadership, policymaking, and public service.
“Investing in our young people means investing in the future of Los Angeles,” said Bass. “Shadow Day gives foster youth not just a seat at the table, but a voice in shaping solutions. By uplifting these young leaders, we are building the next generation of policymakers and advocates while ensuring that city decisions reflect the real needs of our communities.”
“I’ve long supported the National Foster Youth Institute because of the important work they do in empowering foster youth to engage in policymaking and share their voices and experiences,” said Barger. “I’m pleased to take part in this year’s Foster Youth Shadow Day, where I can hear directly from these remarkable young people. Their insights are invaluable and help guide my perspective on child welfare moving forward.”
The two day program (October 22-23) brought together sixteen foster youth delegates to explore local government, connect with mentors, and observe policymaking in action. Activities included:
- Attending a City Council meeting and shadowing the Offices of Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, Katy Yaroslavsky, Curren Price, Ysabel Jurado, Hugo Soto-Martinez, Bob Blumenfield, Tim McOsker
- Shadowing Mayor and LA County Supervisors during the Metro Board meeting, including Barger, Lindsey Horvath and Hilda Solis
- Participating in a roundtable discussion with Brenda Shockley, Deputy Mayor of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, the Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD), the Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) and the Youth Development Department (YDD)
During the roundtable, delegates shared personal experiences, asked questions, presented policy recommendations, and received real-time feedback to strengthen their advocacy skills.
Sherman Marks 7th Commemoration of the Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting
U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City, Valley Village) marked yesterday being seven years of the mass shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, the deadliest antisemitic attack on U.S. soil.
Sherman’s words come as antisemitic incidents in the United States have reached record highs in recent years, with a major spike in 2024, according to reports from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),. These attacks include assault, harassment, and vandalism, and data shows that Jews are disproportionately targeted by religiously motivated hate crimes relative to their population size.
“Seven years ago today, eleven Jewish worshippers were murdered at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh — an act of terror fueled by antisemitic lies and anti-immigrant hate. In the years since, violent antisemitism has continued to rise, both here at home and around the world,” said Sherman.
“On this solemn anniversary, we honor the victims and recommit ourselves to the fight against antisemitism.”
