A 49-bed mental health housing facility set to open in October in Santa Monica, Calif., has drawn criticism from nearby residents who say they were not informed of the project ahead of time, according to an Oct. 6 news release from Fox 11.
The facility will be operated by Los Angeles-based St. Joseph’s Center and funded through a Los Angeles County grant under California’s Proposition 1. It will serve individuals with severe mental illness and feature 24/7 staffing and an open-door policy.
Local residents voiced concerns about safety and the lack of community input. At another St. Joseph’s-run facility near Santa Monica College, residents have pointed to alleged disturbances, including reports of screaming, police visits and ambulance calls.
Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete said she learned of the project only in recent weeks and emphasized she had no role in its approval due to county and state oversight. “We don’t have local control,” she said. “If we want to change that, we need to write to our governor, and address this with our county.”
