Rep. Lieu Secures $2 Million in Federal Funds for Santa Monica Affordable Housing Project at Parking Structure 3 Site
March 15, 2022 4:25 PM
Today, President Biden signed a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending package that includes $2 million to support the City’s project to build a mixed-use affordable housing project on the current site of Parking Structure 3. The funding in the FY 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act is part of a total of $11 million in Community Project Funding that Congressman Ted Lieu successfully secured for ten projects in his district. The allocation toward Santa Monica’s project to produce affordable housing to alleviate the region’s homelessness crisis represents the single largest share of these funds. This welcome receipt of federal funds comes as demolition work on Parking Structure 3 begins this week.
“The homelessness crisis in America is a national disgrace. We must do more to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness. I’m pleased that the local homelessness projects I advocated for have been included in the FY 2022 government spending package,” Rep. Lieu said. “This funding will go directly toward building housing and providing support for those experiencing homelessness in our district. I will continue to fight for our district in Congress to ensure we receive the federal funding we need to tackle this persistent challenge.”
The effort to convert Parking Structure 3 to affordable housing began in 2019 when the City Council authorized the City’s Housing Division to undertake a competitive selection process for development of a 100% affordable housing project on the site, to include a significant component of supportive housing. On January 12, 2022, City Council green lit an exclusive negotiation agreement to negotiate the terms and conditions with EAH, Inc. for the development of affordable housing on the site of Parking Structure 3.
“We continue to have the great fortune of working with Rep. Lieu who has steadfastly advocated for much-needed local funds to support priority projects like the conversion of Parking Structure 3 to affordable housing,” said Mayor Sue Himmelrich. “We were thrilled to be included in the appropriations process and with the signing of the bill by President Biden, we are grateful for this welcome federal support.”
In his press announcement, Rep. Lieu’s office shared: The overall government funding package will help families with the rising costs of living, create American jobs, support the vulnerable, and work to help small businesses and restaurants that have faced difficulties over the past few years. Taken together, the funding for CA-33 and the funding increases for critical government programs will reverse decades of disinvestment in our communities and strengthen our nation.
More Information
City press release on appropriations inclusion >
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