FAQ ABOUT THE NEW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FACILITY OPENING ON OCEAN AVE & GEORGINA
We've received a lot of questions and concerns about the new Santa Monica Behavioral Health Wellness Center facility opening on Ocean Ave. near Georgina. Below is an FAQ which we recommend you review before tonight's NOMA meeting with the team from St. Joseph Center, who will be operating the facility.
SANTA MONICA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WELLNESS CENTER
Located at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
What is the Santa Monica Behavioral Health Wellness Center?
The Santa Monica Behavioral Health Wellness Center will convert two long-vacant senior housing buildings into 49 units of supportive interim housing that pair safe, stable housing with comprehensive behavioral health services. Located at 413 and 825 Ocean Boulevard, the two buildings will serve 29 and 20 residents respectively, each in private rooms designed to promote stability and dignity.
In alignment with the City’s commitment to addressing local needs, Santa Monica residents will be prioritized for all available units. The Center represents a major step toward ensuring that community members experiencing homelessness and living with behavioral health challenges can access the care and stability they deserve—reducing visible homelessness and strengthening the Santa Monica community.
The Center has an enhanced staffing model that far exceeds standard levels of care and represents the most intensive level of services offered at any site serving people experiencing homelessness in Santa Monica. This reflects both the complex needs of people with acute behavioral health conditions living in the community and the unique location of the site.
Staff will include mental health clinicians, licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), substance use counselors, occupational therapists, peer support specialists, and housing navigators, all working together to deliver person-centered care. The property will also maintain round-the-clock staffing and security, including two dedicated guards stationed at a single entry/exit point and a robust camera surveillance system.
This integrated care model ensures residents have ongoing access to wellness checks, clinical and mental health support, and housing navigation—helping them transition toward permanent housing while enhancing safety and quality of life for the broader community. St. Joseph Center will operate the program in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.
Why is this facility being established?
The Santa Monica Behavioral Health Wellness Center responds to an urgent need for supportive housing and behavioral health care in Santa Monica, consistent with priorities outlined in the City’s Homelessness Strategic Plan (March 2025).
This facility will provide a healing, highly staffed environment where residents receive comprehensive wraparound services that support recovery, safety, and long-term stability. By opening this center, St. Joseph Center and its partners are addressing a critical gap in the local housing and mental health system—creating pathways to recovery, enhancing neighborhood safety, and promoting wellness for both residents and the community as a whole.
Who will live at the Center?
All residents will be referred and vetted by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. The program prioritizes people experiencing homelessness with acute behavioral health needs currently living in Santa Monica. People who are experiencing a mental health crisis in parks or public spaces will be prioritized to ensure they receive immediate care, support, and stability.
Individuals who are registered sex offenders will not be eligible under any circumstances to participate in or reside at this program.
What kind of support will residents receive?
Residents will be supported by a multidisciplinary team dedicated to their health, safety, and overall well-being. The site will have staff and security 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with daily wellness checks to ensure each resident is safe and supported.
On-site professionals—including mental health clinicians, licensed vocational nurses, substance use counselors, occupational therapists, peer support specialists, and housing navigators—will provide compassionate, individualized care. Together, these wraparound services help residents stabilize, recover, and take meaningful steps toward long-term independence through placement in permanent housing.
How will you ensure safety for the local community?
St. Joseph Center is deeply committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of both residents and the surrounding community. The site will have professional security staff on duty 24/7, including two third-party guards stationed at a single controlled entry and exit point. Security personnel will actively monitor both the property and nearby areas, supported by a comprehensive camera system.
Residents will follow St. Joseph Center’s entry and exit policies, and transportation will be coordinated by staff to ensure residents can safely travel to and from the Center, medical appointments, and community activities, minimizing any impact on the neighborhood.
To maintain a peaceful environment, curfew hours will be observed from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., and no loitering or encampments will be permitted. Visitors will not be allowed on site at any time, ensuring the safety and privacy of both residents and the surrounding community.
What accountability measures are in place?
All residents will be expected to follow clear guidelines that promote safety, respect, and accountability. Upon entry, each resident will review and sign the Good Neighbor Policy, an official document outlining the rules, responsibilities, and procedures for living at the Santa Monica Behavioral Health Wellness Center. This policy ensures that all residents contribute to a respectful and well-managed environment.
Drug use will be strictly prohibited, and any resident who violates this policy will be exited from the program and transitioned to another facility better suited to meet their needs. Visitors will not be allowed under any circumstances, and transportation will be provided for residents attending off-site appointments. If a resident is unable to comply with broader program expectations, staff will work closely with them to identify and facilitate a transition to a more appropriate care setting.
How are residents supported in finding permanent housing?
The goal of the program is for every resident to secure a permanent housing option. Each participant will be paired with a Housing Navigator who works one-on-one to identify housing opportunities, ensure they are document-ready, and support them throughout the housing application process.
Housing Navigators help residents complete necessary documentation, connect with landlords and service providers, and coordinate with the County’s Coordinated Entry System (CES) to ensure a smooth transition into long-term housing.
When will the site open?
The Santa Monica Behavioral Health Wellness Center is expected to begin accepting residents later this month, with the facility fully operational by Winter 2025. This timeline allows for completion of renovations, staff training, and final community onboarding to ensure a safe and high-quality program launch.
How can neighbors stay informed about project updates?
St. Joseph Center is committed to open, ongoing communication with the community. The organization will provide regular updates through a monthly community forum, advertised online and open to all interested residents. These meetings will share progress updates, address questions or concerns, and ensure transparency as the Center becomes operational.
To ensure open communication and rapid response, a dedicated phone line (310-358-2835) will be available and supported by a 24/7 live answering service. In the event of an emergency, the operator will immediately contact designated individuals.
Community members can also join an email listserv to receive project updates and invitations to community forums. St. Joseph Center is gathering contact information from those who reach out and will centralize all communications through one official list to ensure consistent, timely updates.
How is the project funded?
The project is funded through a partnership between the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Through this collaboration, DHCS is providing funding to county behavioral health agencies and tribal entities across California for interim supportive bridge housing—a key strategy for meeting the immediate housing and behavioral health needs of people experiencing homelessness.
Is The Manor part of this project?
No. The Manor is not owned or operated by St. Joseph Center. While St. Joseph Center provides certain services at The Manor—just as it does at various housing sites across the region—the organization does not manage or oversee the property. The Santa Monica Behavioral Health Wellness Center is a distinct, newly established project operated directly by St. Joseph Center.
Questions or Concerns?
24-Hour Community Call Center: (310) 358-2835 Email: community@stjosephctr.org
JOIN US TONIGHT!
THUR. OCT 9th
7:00PM CITY MANAGER OLIVER CHI
7:45PM ST. JOSEPH CENTER TEAM
ZOOM LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81526517066