Santa Monica Municipal Code Ch. 2.62 Housing and Human Services Commission

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Editor's Note: Ch. 2.62, Former Human Services Commission, adopted by Ord. No. 2700CCS, was repealed by Ord. No. 2858CCS, 5/26/2026.

(a) Pursuant to Section 1000 of the Santa Monica City Charter, a Housing and Human Services Commission is hereby established. The Commission and members shall be subject to all of the terms of Article X of the Charter setting forth procedures for appointment of members, terms, and meetings.

(b) The Commission shall consist of seven members all of whom shall be residents of the City of Santa Monica. Two members shall be participants in an affordable housing program, and shall each serve two-year terms. The remaining five members shall each serve four-year terms. One affordable program participant must also be at least 62 years old and one affordable housing program participant must be unhoused or formerly unhoused. No member shall hold any paid office or employment in City of Santa Monica government.

(Added by Ord. No. 2858CCS, 5/26/2026)

The Commission shall act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to the production and preservation of affordable housing and to the social, economic, and wellness needs of vulnerable community members, including, but not limited to, marginalized populations, low-income households, older adults, youth and families, the LGBTQ community, women and girls (including transgender women and girls), people of color, and people experiencing homelessness. The Commission shall encourage the full participation of the Santa Monica community in shaping the City's future and shall demonstrate a commitment to fairness, equity, social justice, and democracy.

Specifically, the Commission's powers and duties are as follows:

(a) Recommend to the City Council policies, programs, and projects that guide and advance the provision, production, and preservation of affordable housing in Santa Monica.

(b) Recommend to the City Council specific housing and human services programs necessary to serve the unmet needs of residents of the City.

(c) Make recommendations to Council regarding Housing Authority programs and activities.

(d) Review the City Manager's proposed budget for housing and human services and make recommendations to the City Council.

(e) Review national, State, and local legislation which may have an impact on housing and human services for vulnerable communities in the City and make recommendations to the City Council.

(f) Consult and maintain contact with groups and individuals who are concerned with the challenges, opportunities, and services of vulnerable City residents, and hold meetings and public hearings on housing and human services programs as necessary to receive input from these groups and individuals, coordinating with the scheduled events of other boards and commissions as appropriate.

(g) Schedule, participate in and conduct public hearings to determine the housing needs of the residents of the City as part of the development of the Housing Assistance Plan component of the City's annual Community Development Block Grant submission, and transmit the findings of said hearings to the City Council. These hearings may be coordinated with other scheduled events of other boards and commissions as appropriate.

(h) Recommend to the City Council specific housing programs to meet the needs of the residents of the City, based on information from public hearings and forums.

(i) Review, comment and make recommendations to the City Council on procedures and policies to provide affordable housing for City residents and to implement the City's housing programs.

(j) Review, comment, on the proposed funding for housing programs funded through the City's annual Community Development Plan process.

(k) Prepare an annual assessment on the extent to which local agencies and programs of the City, County of Los Angeles, and other entities are achieving goals and objectives for affordable housing, and transmit to City Council for review.

(l) Conduct public forums on housing programs and issues in conjunction with other boards and commissions, including, but not limited to, the Housing Element, the Housing Assistance Plan, and the Tenant Ownership Rights Charter Amendment (TORCA) program.

(m) Make recommendations on all Housing Authority programs and activities.

(n) Develop an annual budget and workplan for activities such as speaking engagements, mailings and liaison activities.

(Added by Ord. No. 2858CCS, 5/26/2026)