1 David Yakobson
From: Judy Branfman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 11:59 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Opposition to 5J on 2/24/26 Council agenda
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica Councilmembers,
I’m wriƟng in opposiƟon to Item 5J, the proposal to contract with the SalvaƟon Army for a building in Bell to move Santa Monica unhoused people to. Bell is 23 miles away from Santa Monica, where many of the people you are proposing to push out have strong networks, friends, medical care, perhaps family, and other needed supports. Care for human beings is what you are abandoning with a project like this.
When Los Angeles tried moving people 20-plus miles away from their westside home base, people came back because the westside neighborhoods they were pushed out of are their homes. City Manager Chi is new to Santa Monica and might not know this is not how we Santa Monicans treat our neighbors who are having a hard Ɵme. I realize it’s easier for Mr. Chi to just push people out of the city, but instead he should be working with organizaƟons to build or renovate housing here in the city. Most of the new expensive apartment buildings in downtown Santa Monica are half empty – maybe he can ask those owners to step up and work with the city.
I also wonder how the city of Bell feels about Santa Monica pushing their unwanted residents to Bell. I hope you will turn this proposal down and develop a model program right here in Santa Monica that we can be proud of.
Sincerely,
Judy Branfman
Santa Monica
Item 5-J
February 24, 2026
Item 5-J
February 24, 2026