The Housing and Economic Development Department creates affordable housing opportunities and a sustainable economy in Santa Monica. The Department is responsible for administering all affordable housing programs, including affordable housing development and preservation as well as rental subsidy programs for low-income households. The Department is also responsible for administering redevelopment programs and projects, operating the farmers’ markets, implementing City real estate transactions, promoting economic sustainability, serving as liaison to the business districts, and managing leasing and licensing of City property, including the Pier.  

Housing
Barbara Collins, Housing Manager 

The Housing Division analyzes policy and administers programs which ensure that Santa Monica preserves and expands housing opportunities for households with very low, low, and moderate incomes. The Division's workload is diverse, including tenant-based rental assistance, production of new affordable housing, and preservation of existing affordable housing. The Division attempts to maximize resources available to the City by working closely with public, private and non-profit partners who are involved in affordable housing as lenders, developers and owners. 

Economic Development
Miriam Mack, Manager 

The Economic Development Division manages the Farmers Markets program and the City's real estate assets. The Division also acts as liaison and provides technical support to a number of business organizations, including Santa Monica’s business improvements districts. Additionally, the Division has leasehold management responsibility for the Pier, including parking, lease negotiation and administration, and planning and implementation of capital projects. 

Administration
and Redevelopment
Tina Rodriguez, Redevelopment Administrator 

The Administration and Redevelopment Division directs the activities of the Housing and Economic Development Department. The Division assists other departments and divisions in reviewing, evaluating, and making recommendations on real estate, financing, planning, and development projects in the City. The Division is responsible for managing the City’s revitalization programs. Management of the various City funds that finance the department’s operations and projects is also coordinated by this division.

News and Events   

Farmers Market Library Panel Series Continues February 9

 The Santa Monica Farmers Market will host a panel discussion entitled "Gardening on the Farm and In the City" in the MLK Auditorium at the Santa Monica Main Library on Thursday, February 9, 7pm. For information on this free event, click here. 

 Groundbreaking happened recently on High Place West, a 47-unit multi-family, affordable housing located at High Place and Virginia Avenue in Santa Monica. Community Corporation of Santa Monica is the developer on the project while Benchmark is the contractor. The project is a state-of-the-art facility with a community room and underground parking. Completion is expected for fall of 2012. Phase 2 of the two-phase project gets underway next year.

Cirque du Soleil Returning to
Santa Monica in January 2012

Cirque du Soleil will return to Santa Monica January 20, 2012, when they bring their traveling show entitled "Ovo" to the Santa Monica Pier. Bringing this world-reknowned performance to a location next to the Pier affords visitors an opportunity to experience two unique worlds in one trip - the Santa Monica Pier with it's nostalgia and Cirque with it's circus atmosphere.

Housing Authority Administrative Plan Public Hearing Set for March 20,2012

The City Council/Housing Authority Board of the City of Santa Monica will hold a public hearing to receive comment and adopt the 2012 Annual Plan and proposed revisions to the Santa Monica Housing Authority’s Administrative Plan on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 6:30pm in Council Chambers. The Annual Plan outlines the Housing Authority’s policies, programs, operations, and strategies for meeting local housing needs and goals. The Administrative Plan establishes oversight policies to operate the Santa Monica Housing Authority’s (HA) housing rental subsidy programs in a manner consistent with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations. For more info, including how to obtain a draft of the plan, click here.     

Site Preparation Almost Complete at Palisades Garden Park

The site preparation and tree relocation work on the future Palisades Garden Walk site is almost complete. The Ficus tree grove is taking shape, the large Bird of Paradise plants have been clustered together, and a strong group of Canary palms join a line of Washingtonia robusta palms in the north west corner of the park. It's starting to feel like a park, click here .