The LWVSM believes that 

• Homelessness is a problem that can and must be solved.* 
• Homelessness is a chronic local and regional problem of many decades, resisting a “one-size-fits-all” solution. 
• Homelessness is a public health issue.
• The City of Santa Monica should take a leading role in solving homelessness at the local and regional level.

The League Supports:

• Expanded use of City funds for outreach teams, whose members encourage people experiencing homelessness to seek and use existing services, including the work and expansion as needed of the Police Homeless Liaison Program;
• The City’s efforts to create standard protocols for outreach in places where homelessness is highly visible;
• Expanded programs and funding for youth, children, and families with children experiencing homelessness; and
• Actively promoting community education surrounding homeless issues, including causes and solutions to homelessness. 

The League believes the City should:

1. Adopt policies incentivizing the increased building of the following types of housing, including working towards amending regulations to streamline approval processes:

• Supportive Housing (long term housing)
• Transitional Housing (short-term housing)
• Subsidized Housing
• Deed Restricted Low Income Housing
• All Income Levels of Housing
• Tiny and/or Temporary homes, including Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs/”Granny Flats”)

2. Support/provide housing subsidies for low-income individuals;

3. Support and expand legal services for the housing insecure and homeless individuals;

4. Support legislation at the state level to expand the definition of “gravely disabled” to those whose disabilities cause or substantially contribute to their being homeless, but only if accompanied by funding to provide adequate and appropriate services, including services for the mentally ill, and only for people for whom supportive housing is not a solution. Jails are not an acceptable place to send homeless individuals experiencing mental illness.

5. Adopt policies (and task forces as necessary) integrating and coordinating different programs for homeless individuals, including private programs;

6. Be actively involved in regional funding decisions or strategies, recognizing that as the need for such funding grows, the City should support funding increases to meet that need; and 

7. Actively pursue additional sources of funding for homeless initiatives, including for local service providers.

With the resources directed to the issue of homelessness, the City should prioritize the following populations:

• the most vulnerable, those with health issues that could be life threatening if left on the street;
• the most recently homeless, especially families with children; and
• those who are the most visible and threaten quality of life for residents.

*Definition of home: Safe and stable place to live that conforms to legal habitability requirements