Two interim housing projects planned for Ocean Avenue will be temporarily paused to allow for more community engagement following widespread criticism over inadequate public outreach, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath announced Tuesday.
The pause comes after constituents and neighborhood groups raised concerns about the lack of communication regarding the supportive housing facilities, which are intended to serve people with serious mental illness. The state has agreed to extend the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program grant funding to accommodate the delay.
"I am completely disappointed by the lack of proper communication with Santa Monica residents about the proposed interim housing projects on Ocean Avenue," Horvath said. "It is clear from the North of Montana Association meeting — and conversations since — that there has been inexcusably little engagement around this proposal."
Horvath said her office worked with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and St. Joseph Center, the nonprofit that would operate the facilities, to secure the immediate pause. The supervisor emphasized that while urgent action is needed to address mental health crises, transparency and community partnership cannot be sacrificed.
"We must move urgently to house people with acute mental health needs, but not at the expense of transparency or community partnership," Horvath said.
The decision to pause represents a reversal for projects that were expected to open within weeks.
“I appreciate that the County is taking the time to pause and reassess the proposed project on Ocean Avenue,” said Mayor Lana Negrete. “This decision shows a willingness to listen and collaborate. But the work has only just begun — we must continue building real accountability, transparency, and community engagement into every step of these processes. It’s essential that future projects in Santa Monica receive the same level of review and community input they deserve. I’m grateful to have helped bring this issue to light for both the County Supervisor and our community.”
Negrete was the first to inform the public about the project igniting a firestorm of criticism from locals. In the days since news broke, residents have been working to determine exactly who owns the property and how the deal to populate the two builds was struck.
Housing developer Leo Pustilnikov was initially described as owning the property, however, he does not own either building. He does have an option to purchase the properties and the connections between various corporations that do own the property are still being revealed.
Horvath said the proposals moved forward without what she described as the transparent coordination and communication such projects demand.
"The City of Santa Monica has been calling for more beds to address the crises we see playing out on our streets — and we agree," Horvath said. "Given the place the community is in, my office has worked with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and St. Joseph Center, and they have agreed to immediately pause the projects to allow for more community engagement."
The two facilities would convert former senior living buildings at on the 400 and 800 block of Ocean Avenue into a combined 49 units of supportive housing operated by St. Joseph Center with Los Angeles County funding. The organization had outlined plans for 24-hour professional third-party security, including two guards at a single entry and exit point to monitor access.
St. Joseph Center confirmed all residents would come from the Westside of Los Angeles, specifically Service Planning Area 5, with at least 15 of the 49 beds reserved for Santa Monica residents. Participants would be referred and vetted by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, with priority given to local residents.
The nonprofit described the target population as individuals who can live independently with support but benefit from additional services to maintain stability. Residents would need to care for themselves in daily routines, including preparing meals, maintaining personal hygiene and managing everyday activities.
Those requiring more intensive medical or therapeutic care would be referred to settings better equipped to meet those needs, according to the organization. The facility would operate under St. Joseph Center's entry and exit policies, and residents could be accompanied by staff when traveling to appointments.
The projects were expected to be temporary, with a maximum five-year operating period.
The City of Santa Monica has no regulatory authority to approve or deny the projects, which were initiated through a partnership between the owners and St. Joseph Center.
A partnership between the property owner and St. Joseph Center makes the nonprofit eligible to apply for state grant funding through the County Department of Mental Health.
According to St. Joseph Center, West Los Angeles has one of the county's most severe shortages of behavioral health beds. The projects are part of a larger state and county effort to provide housing and services for people experiencing homelessness and mental health crises. St. Joseph Center maintains a 24-hour community call line at 310-358-2835 and email contact at community@stjosephctr.org for questions or concerns.