Letter seeking clarification regarding County-approved mental health facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue

Todd James

— 4 min read
Letter seeking clarification regarding County-approved mental health facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue

October 27, 2025

The Honorable Lindsey P. Horvath
Los Angeles County Supervisor, Third District
500 West Temple Street, Room 866
Los Angeles, CA 90012

The Honorable Members of the City Council
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Dr. Ryan Smith
St. Joseph Center
204 Hampton Drive
Venice, CA 90291

Re: ITEM 16.F: Questions for Clarification Regarding County-Approved Facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue and the Broader City–County Coordination Process

Dear Supervisor Horvath, Mayor Negrete, Honorable Members of the City Council, and Dr. Smith:

On behalf of the North of Montana Association (NOMA), we respectfully submit the following questions and requests for clarification related to the Los Angeles County-approved facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue and, more broadly, to SUPPORT the framework for City-County coordination discussed under Agenda Item 16.F.

Our intent is to help establish a baseline of facts that can support a productive, transparent, and informed public dialogue between residents, the City, the County, and nonprofit partners – particularly as the community engages with you at the previously publicized November 5th Townhall and NOMA prepares for our next Community meeting on this very subject.

In preparation for those meetings, and generally moving forward, these questions are meant to clarify how decisions are being made, what standards apply, and how our community can participate constructively going forward.

In the absence of clearly communicated information, we fear that many numerous incorrect statements are currently being distributed within the community – and we are hoping to be a source of accurate information for all stakeholders.

In such spirit, we hope Supervisor Horvath, the LA County Department of Mental Health, and Santa Monica City Council can provide answers to the following in advance of the community meeting hosted by St. Joseph on November 5th:

  1. Pause
    1. It is our understanding the opening of the facilities at 413 and 825 Ocean Ave. have been “paused,” but for how long?
    2. What is the earliest these facilities could open, and who would determine if a successful community engagement process has been met?
    3. What is the process moving forward, and who will have authority and governance over this process? Is it a county, city, or will there be a county-citywide partnership?
  2. Program Overview
    1. What amount of funds were provided for these facilities, and for how long will these facilities be funded?
    2. Is there a breakdown of funding that is publicly available?
    3. What improvements and operation requirements are tied to county funding?
  3. Site Identification and Vetting
    1. What is the formal process by which sites are identified, vetted, and selected for County-funded or County-operated mental health and housing programs within the City of Santa Monica?
    2. What criteria or guideline or scoring system was used to determine the suitability of 413 and 825 Ocean Ave. and who conducted that evaluation?
    3. How long are these specific facilities funded?
    4. What is the process in which the residents are taken care of should the facility close – which is an issue Santa Monica is dealing with at The Manor currently.
  4. Operator Selection
    1. Which service providers or nonprofits applied or were considered to operate these facilities?
    2. What was the evaluation process that led to the selection of St. Joseph Center, and what performance or outcome measures informed that decision?
  5. Citywide Context
    1. What other locations across Santa Monica are currently being considered, funded, or negotiated for this and similar County programs?
    2. Is there an inventory or public database showing the total number, type, and operator of existing and pending County- or nonprofit-run facilities within city limits?
  6. Community Engagement
    1. What community engagement or notification standards does the County follow before approving and funding new facilities?
    2. How will the City’s process under 16.F ensure that future projects include early and transparent communication with affected neighborhoods, schools, and businesses?
  7. Program Eligibility and Definitions
    1. How does the County define “severe mental illness” in determining eligibility for these programs? Are there any diagnosis or symptom severities that would be excluded from eligibility.
    2. What behavioral health conditions or diagnoses are expected among participants?
    3. For how long will residents be eligible to stay at these facilities?
  8. Public Safety and Support Resources
    1. What resources, staffing, and coordination protocols will be in place to support individuals when they leave these facilities during non-curfew hours?
    2. How will potential calls for service involving participants be handled between County agencies and the Santa Monica Police Department?
  9. Impact and Compatibility
    1. How are nearby schools, senior living facilities, local businesses, and residential blocks factored into the site-selection analysis?
    2. Are there objective standards or impact assessments that measure compatibility or risk for sensitive surrounding uses?
  10. Success
    1. How does the County and City measure “success” for these facilities, and is there a review process to ensure there is accountability for the funding and that established goals are achieved?
    2. How many similar programs have been run to date, where have they been located, what are their rates of success and what impact have they had on the neighborhood where they are located?

We believe that answers to these questions will create a shared foundation of facts, will dispel misinformation and enable the City, the County, and residents to engage in a constructive, solutions-focused conversation about how to responsibly deliver mental-health and housing services within Santa Monica.

Thank you for your attention and for ensuring that transparency, coordination, and communication remain central to this important public discussion.

With respect,

North of Montana Association (NOMA)

cc:
Senator Ben Allen
Assembly Member Rick Zbur
City Manager Oliver Chi

Sent via email: council.mailbox@santamonica.gov; councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov; lana.negrete@santamonica.gov; Caroline.Torosis@santamonica.gov; jesse.zwick@santamonica.gov; Dan.Hall@santamonica.gov; Ellis.Raskin@santamonica.gov; Barry.Snell@santamonica.gov; Natalya.Zernitskaya@santamonica.gov; manager@santamonica.gov; ThirdDistrict@bos.lacounty.gov; Senator.Allen@Senate.CA.gov; rick.zbur@asm.ca.gov; rsmith@stjosephctr.org