Santa Monica City Council Approves Off-Site Affordable Housing Plan for Developers in Seaside Enclave
The Santa Monica City Council has approved a pilot program for developers to build affordable housing off-site, raising concerns of economic segregation in the city.
In a 6-1 vote, the Santa Monica City Council has approved a new pilot program that allows developers to build affordable housing off-site instead of including it in their developments. This decision comes after concerns about the potential for economic segregation in the seaside enclave. The Santa Monica Daily Press reported on the approval, with Mayor Lana Negrete being the sole dissenter. Negrete expressed worry that this policy could lead to "modern-day redlining, just in a much subtler form." She stated, "This pilot risks accelerating that imbalance." The program has faced criticism from community members and activists who believe it will further exacerbate the affordable housing crisis in Santa Monica. Some have also raised concerns about the potential for developers to exploit this program for their own profit. Despite these concerns, the city council has moved forward with the pilot program, citing the need for more affordable housing options in Santa Monica. However, it remains to be seen how this program will impact the city's housing landscape and whether it will truly benefit those in need of affordable housing. Originally reported by The Real Deal. https://therealdeal.com/la/2025/08/29/santa-monica-city-council-approves-off-site-affordable-plan/