VENICE, Calif., July 2 (Santa Monica Online) — More than 100 residents, business owners and community members packed a Venice meeting this week to press leaders of two supportive housing programs over safety concerns, while Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park warned that future city funding could be at risk if conditions do not improve.
Attendees said they were dealing with drug activity, trespassing, illegal dumping and violence near The Journey Program and Safe Place for Youth on or near Lincoln Boulevard. One resident said neighbors were “finding dead bodies” during cleanup efforts, according to comments at the meeting.
Park said her office had been hearing complaints for months. “We are going to continue to fix this and hold these people responsible for providing their own security, for ensuring that the neighborhood around these facilities remains safe,” she said.
After the meeting, Park wrote on Facebook that communities are “right to expect accountability” when taxpayer dollars are invested in homeless housing solutions.
Representatives for the two organizations told the crowd they were listening to residents’ concerns and would keep talking with the community.
The Venice dispute comes as Santa Monica faces its own housing backlash. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said she was “completely disappointed by the lack of proper communication with Santa Monica residents” about proposed interim housing projects on Ocean Avenue. Los Angeles County later notified the city that 49 people with behavioral health challenges were expected to move into the properties, and the plan was put on hold pending a town hall and public tours.
