Santa Monica's New Homeless Outreach Program Ignores Key Fact: The Unhoused Would Rather Live on the Street and Take Drugs

On June 3, 2025, the Santa Monica City Council approved a new homeless outreach program, allocating $2.5 million to fund a partnership with local nonprofits aimed at addressing the city’s homelessness crisis. However, it doesn't take into account what homeless people have told this author: They value their freedom. That means they would rather live on the street and use drugs such as methamphetamine (meth), then live in public housing for free. It's hard for those of us with jobs and families and obligations to understand and accept this. But the heart wants what it wants.

The initiative focuses on providing mental health services, temporary housing, and case management to unhoused individuals, particularly those along the Third Street Promenade, a key commercial area where homelessness has been a visible concern.

This program builds on Santa Monica’s ongoing efforts to tackle homelessness, as outlined in the city’s 2025-2030 Homelessness Strategic Plan, which was presented to the council on March 11, 2025. The approval has sparked both support and debate among residents, with some praising the proactive approach and others questioning its cost and effectiveness.

Key Details of the Program

Funding and Partnerships: The $2.5 million budget supports collaborations with local nonprofits, though specific organizations weren’t named in the Los Angeles Times report from June 4, 2025. These partnerships aim to deliver targeted services, including mental health support and temporary shelter options, to address immediate needs and facilitate long-term solutions like permanent housing.

Focus Areas: The program prioritizes the Third Street Promenade, where visible encampments have raised concerns among businesses and residents. It includes street outreach teams to connect individuals with resources and services, aiming to reduce encampments while offering compassionate support.

Context within Broader Strategy: The initiative aligns with the city’s Homelessness Strategic Plan (HSP), which emphasizes prevention, housing, and services. This follows other recent efforts, such as the Renters’ Protection Program approved in March 2025 to prevent homelessness by stabilizing housing for vulnerable residents and a $464,000 pilot program in 2024 funded partly by Los Angeles County for encampment resolution.

Implementation Timeline: While exact start dates weren’t specified, the program is expected to roll out in summer 2025, aligning with other regional efforts like the Holloway Interim Housing Program in nearby West Hollywood, set to open in summer 2025.

Community and Political Reactions

Support: Advocates, including local nonprofits, see the program as a critical step toward addressing mental health and housing needs, which are root causes of homelessness. The Santa Monica Daily Press noted on June 4, 2025, that council members highlighted the program’s potential to reduce street encampments humanely while boosting the Promenade’s appeal for businesses and tourists.

Criticism: Some residents, as reported in community forums and social media like X, expressed skepticism about the program’s cost and whether it will yield measurable results, citing past initiatives that struggled with accountability. Others worry about potential displacement of unhoused individuals without sufficient permanent housing solutions, especially after a 2024 proposal to restrict sleeping bags for unhoused residents sparked controversy.

Council Dynamics: The June 3 vote wasn’t unanimous, with some council members pushing for stricter enforcement measures alongside outreach, reflecting ongoing debates about balancing compassion with public safety.