Santa Monica Awarded Nearly $50 Million For Affordable Housing, Transit

SANTA MONICA, CA — The California Strategic Growth Council has awarded a nearly $50 million grant to Santa Monica, marking “a major milestone in the city’s commitment to advancing affordable housing and climate-friendly transportation,” city officials announced Tuesday.

The council unanimously approved the $49.9 million grant last week under the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program, officials said.

The grant will fund the development of 1318 4th Street, previously a parking structure, officials said.

“This funding is a crucial first step in financing the 1318 4th Street development and has the potential to accelerate the project timeline by up to one year,” Acting Housing and Human Services Director Natalie Verlinich said.

The funds will also support “sustainable transportation infrastructure projects across the city,” officials said.

“The award ensures continued progress in expanding protected bike lanes, transitioning to a zero-emissions fleet, and improving bus stop amenities and pedestrian access, while strengthening Santa Monica’s capacity to offer a world-class transportation network for residents and visitors during major regional events,” Department of Transportation Director Anuj Gupta said.

City officials included a breakdown of how some of the funds will be allocated:

• $35 million will go to the construction of the 1318 4th Street affordable housing development, which is part of the city’s approved Housing Element.

• $14.3 million of the grant will be used toward sustainable transportation infrastructure projects led by the Department of Transportation. The projects will include:
• The acquisition of five new zero-emissions battery electric Big Blue Buses, in furtherance of our goal to convert to a fully electric fleet by 2032
• The installation of bus shelters with seating at five Big Blue Bus stops
• Upgrades to 14th Street bike lanes, converting them into a two-way protected bikeway from Washington Avenue to Pico Boulevard
• Curb ramp improvements to enhance accessibility

• An additional $150,000 will be put toward anti-displacement efforts, specifically the development of a rent registry for non-rent-controlled rental properties.

The application was a monthslong effort between the city, non-profit developer EAH Housing and multiple city departments, according to officials.

Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities awarded more than $835 million to 21 applications across the state, officials said.

“These investments will support the development of nearly 2,400 new rent-restricted homes and expand zero-emission transit, bikeways, and pedestrian infrastructure,” officials said.