1 Attachment C - Community Assets by Domain of Livability Outdoor Spaces & Buildings
Summary: The City of Santa Monica is committed to creating safe, accessible, and inclusive outdoor spaces and buildings that support the health and well-being of residents of all ages and abilities. From well-maintained parks and walking paths to agefriendly public buildings and rest areas, Santa Monica prioritizes design that encourages social connection, physical activity, and ease of access. Parks, sidewalks, and buildings that are clean, safe, and easy for everyone to use.
Assets include:
• Beach Accessibility: Santa Monica provides beach access paths leading to the water's edge and offers electric beach wheelchairs for day use, enhancing beach accessibility for individuals with mobility challenges. • Pier Access: The Santa Monica Pier is fully wheelchair accessible, including ramps and elevators, and features tactile and visual wayfinding elements. • Universally Accessible and Inclusive Playgrounds: North Beach, South Beach, Ishihara Park, and Marine Park Playgrounds are universally accessible playgrounds designed for children of all abilities, ensuring inclusive play opportunities. Douglas Park Playground will be reconstructed as an additional fifth inclusive playground, with the playground opening expected in Fall 2025. • Community Gardens - The City currently has five outdoor gardens that provide active living opportunities to Santa Monica residents and a way to engage in urban agriculture and create unique, biodiverse habitats that support our efforts to be a sustainable city through local food production, sustainable land stewardship, community composting, water conservation practices, and community engagement. The City is also working on two additional gardens: 19th Street Community Farm and Reed Park Community Garden. Community gardens are a source of pride for the community, and we actively look for ways to engage the greater community through our monthly programs, workshops and events. Gardens are therapeutic, energizing and an opportunity for socialization and community engagement.
Transportation
Summary: The City of Santa Monica offers a range of accessible transportation options designed to support the independence and mobility of older adults and people with disabilities. The City is focused on making transportation choices available that are safe, reliable, and convenient.
2 Assets include:
• Mobility On-Demand Every Day (MODE): Big Blue Bus has partnered with Lyft to introduce Mobility On Demand Every Day (MODE), the City of Santa Monica's shared-ride service for older adults and persons with disabilities. The MODE program provides members with greater options for freedom and mobility, by offering curb-to-curb, on-demand transportation - including wheelchair accessible rides, convenient payments, and much more.
• Active Aging Program Pilot: Supported adults aged 65 and older in utilizing various transportation options to enhance mobility, safety, and health. The program encouraged walking, bicycling, and transit use, aiming to improve older adults' quality of life.
Housing
Summary: The City offers affordable older adult housing options, including rentcontrolled apartments and Below Market Housing waitlists. Additionally, organizations like Wise & Healthy Aging provide various services to support older adults in housing.
The City is dedicated to helping older adults and people with disabilities find affordable housing and live comfortably as they get older or to remain living independently in the community.
Assets include:
• Below Market Housing (BMH) Waitlist: City-wide waitlist for affordable apartments in Santa Monica. Apartments in the BMH program are designated for households that make up to the area median income, and include units at both non-profit and market rate properties. Older adult-only buildings in the program include Magnolia Villas and Greenway Meadows, as well some apartments designated for households needing accessibility features. • Senior Section 8 Waitlist: Specifically for older adults, for three affordable buildings in Santa Monica: Santa Monica Christian Towers, Westminster Towers, and Nielson Villas. (Note: the waitlist is currently closed, but is active for those with existing applications).
• Preserving Our Diversity (POD): Provides cash-based assistance to lowincome, long-term Santa Monica residents aged 65 and older living in rentcontrolled apartments, helping them achieve a minimum monthly after-rent income.
• Low-Income Disabled Tenant Fee Waiver: This program waives the annual Rent Control registration fee for very-low-income tenants with qualifying disabilities, potentially reducing monthly rent costs.
• Very Low-Income Senior Fee Waiver: This program waives the annual Rent Control registration fee for very-low-income older adults (62 years or older), potentially reducing monthly rent costs.
3 • Home Access Program - The Independent Living and Home Access Program, operated by the Disability Community Resource Center (DCRC), specifically supports housing stability and community living by funding home modifications for their program participants. These modifications are aimed at helping people— particularly older adults and individuals with disabilities—remain in their homes safely and independently.
• Continuum of Care Program: Managed by the Santa Monica Housing Authority, the program helps people with disabilities experiencing chronic homelessness secure permanent housing—either through tenant-based vouchers or referral to permanent supportive housing in the City of Santa Monica.
Social Participation
Summary: Santa Monica offers a vibrant array of programs and services to promote social participation among older adults and individuals with disabilities, fostering community connection, lifelong learning, and well-being. The City offers fun activities where people can meet others and feel part of the community.
Assets include:
• Santa Monica Public Library Programs & Events: Offers a variety of free programs, including author events, film screenings, concerts, and technology workshops, promoting lifelong learning and social engagement. • Santa Monica Reads: One of the longest-running community-wide reading programs in the United States, offering a unique opportunity for individuals to come together, read a shared book, and participate in enriching discussions and events. This program fosters a sense of connection and community, encouraging dialogue, understanding, and a shared love of literature across diverse audiences.
• Club de Oro para Adultos Mayores: A weekly program at Virginia Avenue Park that provides social and cultural activities for older Spanish-speaking adults, fostering community engagement.
• Memories & Movement Senior Club: A bi-weekly social club for older adults held at Virginia Avenue Park. Each week focuses on something new – including exercise, socializing, and learning from guest presenters on a variety of topics. • Club WISE: Wise and Healthy Aging offers a social club for older adults that provides weekly exercise classes, special community events and various workshops.
• WISE Diner: provides healthy lunches at the Ken Edwards Center and Reed Park in the City of Santa Monica to promote food security and social participation by older adults.
• Farmers Markets - Santa Monica Farmers Markets creates thriving, vibrant communities that are inclusive, connected, and diverse by promoting the prosperity of California farmers and small food businesses, preservation of the agricultural arts and sustainable food systems. Four weekly markets on 4 Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, bring the farmers to Downtown, Main Street, and Pico neighborhoods.
Respect & Social Inclusion
Summary: Santa Monica is committed to fostering a community where all individuals regardless of age or ability feel valued and included. Through accessible public events and inclusive facilities, as well as meaningful community engagement efforts, the City ensures that older adults and people with disabilities are actively represented and supported in shaping the services and spaces that impact their lives.
Assets include:
• Accessible Public Events & Facilities - City events and cultural programs are designed to be inclusive, with accessible venues, sign language interpretation, mobility support, and outreach to older and disabled residents to encourage participation.
• Community Engagement & Representation- Through ongoing initiatives like the citywide Aging and Disability Action Plan, the City involves residents in shaping services and their environments. Feedback from older adults and people with disabilities directly informs planning, ensuring their needs and perspectives are respected and included.
Civic Participation & Employment
Summary: Santa Monica supports opportunities for all residents to actively participate in civic life. Through inclusive volunteer programs and advisory bodies like the Disabilities Commission and Human Services Commission, the City empowers community members to contribute their voices, shape local policies, and help build a more equitable and inclusive Santa Monica.
Assets include:
• Disabilities Commission: Advises on policies and programs to enhance accessibility and inclusion, aiming to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities in Santa Monica.
• Human Services Commission: Advises the City Council on priorities and strategies involving the well-being, equity, and needs of vulnerable residents, including older adults and people with disabilities.
Communication & Information
Summary: Santa Monica is dedicated to ensuring that all residents can easily access clear, inclusive, and accessible information. Through resources like the Santa Monica Public Library, the City’s official website, and the guidance of the ADA Coordinator, the 5 City promotes digital inclusion, ADA compliance, and effective communication to keep the community informed, connected, and engaged.
Assets include:
• Santa Monica Public Library Programs & Events: Offers a variety of free programs, including author events, film screenings, concerts, and technology workshops, promoting lifelong learning and social engagement. • City's Official Website: Offers comprehensive information on programs and services for older adults and individuals with disabilities, ensuring accessible communication.
• City of Santa Monica's ADA Coordinator: Plays a key role in ensuring that the City complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and promotes accessibility and inclusion across all City programs, services, and facilities.
Community Support & Health Services
Summary: Santa Monica offers a diverse network of health and social services designed to support the well-being of all residents, with a strong focus on older adults and individuals with disabilities. Through partnerships with organizations like WISE & Healthy Aging, Meals on Wheels West, the Disability Community Resource Center, and St. Joseph Center, the City ensures access to essential services such as meal delivery, transportation, case management, and specialized care. These coordinated efforts promote independence, reduce isolation, and enhance quality of life particularly for the most vulnerable members of the community.
Assets include:
• WISE & Healthy Aging: A nonprofit organization offering meal services, support groups, case management, peer counseling, and referrals to promote independent living among older adults.
• WISE & Healthy Aging Adult Day Center: Day services for individuals who are elderly and frail with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, Parkinson's, or the vestiges of a stroke.
• Meals on Wheels West: Delivers meals to homebound Santa Monica residents of any age, ensuring nutritional needs are met for those unable to prepare meals themselves.
• Disability Community Resource Center: Center for Independent Living dedicated to supporting the equality of life for people with all kinds of disabilities.
Provides financial assistance to low-income Santa Monica residents with disabilities and older adults experiencing financial hardship. • St. Joseph Center: The Santa Monica Older Adults Health and Wellness Program provides adults aged 55 and older who are living in Santa Monica with comprehensive case management to improve their economic stability, health, and wellness.
6 • WISE & Healthy Aging Care Management program for vulnerable older adults: The WISE Care Management and Santa Monica Fire Department (SMFD) launched a collaborative program to address the growing challenge of non-emergency 9-1-1 calls, especially from vulnerable, older adult residents in Santa Monica. This program was designed to provide a comprehensive care management system aimed at reducing the strain on emergency services while improving the quality of life for older adults with chronic health issues, social isolation, and other complex needs.
Emergency Preparedness
Summary: Santa Monica is committed to ensuring the safety and resilience of all residents through proactive emergency planning and response. With dedicated first responders and programs led by the Office of Emergency Management and the Police and Fire Departments, the City provides vital tools like Community Connect to support effective, informed emergency response. The City is focused on ensuring inclusive preparedness and coordinated support before, during, and after emergencies.
Assets include:
• Community Connect: Launched through the Santa Monica Fire Department, Community Connect is a vital piece of technology that provides first responders with critical information regarding residences or businesses. This information, which the homeowner or business owner inputs, allows first responders to make strategic and tactical decisions enroute should the need arise for us to respond in an emergency. Having information such as floor plans, pets, or specific medical needs will assist responders in those critical moments when every second matters.
• Office of Emergency Management: Emergency Services & Preparedness (ESP) administers the implementation of extensive disaster planning, training and proactive community-based preparedness programs to ensure that the City of Santa Monica is a disaster resilient community. ESP also oversees the operation of the City's Emergency Operation Center (EOC). The EOC provides a central command center for all City departments and external response stakeholders to work collaboratively to respond to and recover from all unplanned emergencies/disaster events and large planned events within the City of Santa Monica. The Office of Emergency Management has an identified Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Coordinator as part of the City’s EOC staffing to ensure that special attention is given to issues affecting various AFN communities.