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What We Need
What We Need
Our immediate request for support:
Join us on Tuesday, May 26 at 5pm for a Rally in front of City
Hall. Bring your signs of demanding transparency and accountability with the
use of all public funds. Then join us again at 7:30pm inside the meeting as
residents speak on Agenda Item 16:B. Please feel free to sign up and speak in
support or just stand with us in solidarity.
A NEW CALL TO ACTION:
Generations at Virginia Ave. along with Santa Monica Residents Are Demanding Accountability From CCSM and the City Council on this project.
Residents are demanding transparency, oversight, and responsible stewardship of public funds tied to a major publicly financed construction project that directly impacts vulnerable tenants and costing the City of Santa Monica even more.
The concerns being raised are legitimate, evidence-based, and deserving of immediate public review.
Lack of Transparency Regarding Construction and Safety
Residents have repeatedly requested basic information regarding:
Permits pulled for the project
Inspection status updates
Electrical, plumbing, structural, mold remediation, rough, and final inspections
Compliance with safety and construction standards
To date, CCSM has been unwilling or unable to provide consistent and transparent answers regarding these matters.
For a publicly funded project involving millions of taxpayer dollars, this lack of transparency is unacceptable and raises serious concerns regarding oversight and accountability.
Documented Mold, Water Damage, and Structural Concerns Were Known Before Construction Began
Between 2023 and 2025, CCSM conducted multiple internal inspections throughout resident units. During these inspections:
Damage was photographed and documented
Residents identified known safety concerns
Water intrusion, mold, wood rot, and deterioration issues were discussed directly with CCSM representatives
Resident interviews were conducted regarding long-standing habitability concerns
Additionally, residents commissioned an independent mold inspection documenting serious environmental concerns within units.
Given the extent of this prior documentation, residents are concerned by claims that major construction problems were “unexpected” or “unforeseen.”
If these issues were already identified and documented before bidding and construction planning occurred, residents believe the City should review:
Construction scopes
Contractor bid
Change orders
Delay claims
Project contracts
Cost escalations tied to “unforeseen conditions”
Residents are requesting verification that public funds are being spent appropriately and according to accurate project planning.
Concerns Regarding Financial Stewardship and Escalating Costs
Residents supported the City’s loan agreement with the understanding that increased public oversight and transparency would accompany the funding.
Instead:
CCSM is now reportedly requesting millions in additional funding only months later
Residents still lack access to basic project transparency
Questions remain regarding relocation costs, project delays, and construction management decisions
While residents are grateful for relocation assistance and temporary accommodations, appreciation does not eliminate the need for financial accountability.
Residents have the right to ask whether public funds are being managed responsibly.
Questions Regarding Delays, Contractual Obligations, and Possible Penalties
Residents have heard concerns regarding possible contractual penalties, fines, or financial consequences tied to delays in beginning construction.
If accurate, these issues should be publicly clarified through review of:
Construction contracts
Development agreements
Project schedules
Contractor obligations
Delay-related costs and penalties
Residents believe these records should be publicly reviewed to ensure accountability and proper use of taxpayer funding.
Breakdown in Communication and Project Leadership Stability
Residents have experienced continual turnover in project leadership and inconsistent communication throughout the rehabilitation process.
Project management transitions include:
Original project oversight beginning in 2020
Multiple communication and management transitions between 2024–2026
Several project managers changing shortly after major construction activity began
Residents formally raised concerns early regarding:
Lack of communication
Leadership instability
Confusion regarding project oversight responsibilities
Difficulty obtaining direct answers
Frequent turnover on a project of this scale naturally raises concerns regarding continuity, coordination, and effective management.
Residents Are Asking for Oversight Before Pursuing Formal Enforcement Channels
Residents could escalate concerns directly to:
Building & Safety
Cal/OSHA
State housing oversight agencies
However, residents are attempting to avoid actions that could halt construction, increase delays, or create additional costs.
Instead, residents are first asking the City Council to fulfill its oversight responsibilities by requiring CCSM to provide transparent documentation and public accountability voluntarily.
This approach is intended to protect both public funds and project completion timelines.
Residents Believe the City Failed to Follow Through on Promised Oversight
Over the past year, residents repeatedly warned City Council that if additional public funding was approved for CCSM, it needed to come with:
Increased transparency
Independent oversight
Financial accountability
Public reporting requirements
Residents believe those concerns were not adequately addressed after the loan was approved.
Now, only months later, additional funding requests are reportedly being discussed while many original accountability concerns remain unresolved.
Residents are therefore asking:
Why promised public oversight meetings have not occurred
Why project transparency remains limited
Why residents continue struggling to obtain basic information regarding publicly funded construction work
Broader Concerns About CCSM’s Capacity and Oversight Standards
After years of ongoing issues, many residents no longer believe CCSM can effectively manage projects of this scale without substantial external oversight.
Residents are urging the City to:
Reevaluate how affordable housing contracts are awarded
Strengthen accountability standards for publicly funded developers
Ensure future projects prioritize transparency, communication, safety, and competence
Residents should not have to perform the oversight work that public agencies and project managers are already being funded to perform.
The Core Issue: Public Accountability
At its core, this issue is about public trust.
Residents are asking for:
Honest communication
Transparent construction oversight
Responsible financial management
Public accountability for taxpayer dollars
Safe and properly managed housing conditions
These are not unreasonable demands. They are the minimum expectations for any publicly funded housing project.
Residents are requesting that the City Council immediately hold a public discussion regarding the CCSM project and provide residents with the transparency and oversight that was previously requested in Lana Negrete’s email.
Thank you,
Generation At Virginia Ave.
HOW TO SUPPORT US NOW:
Join us on Tuesday, May 26 at 5pm for a Rally in front of City
Hall. Bring your signs of demanding transparency and accountability with the
use of all public funds. Then join us again at 7:30pm inside the meeting as
residents speak on Agenda Item 16:B. Please feel free to sign up and speak in
support or just stand with us in solidarity.
Please support us by following our Instagram, and writing a letter to the City of Santa Monica on our behalf.
Please CC us on your email to Santa Monica City Council members.
Generations at Virginia Ave. email: info@keepsmlocal.org.
Listed below are the emails for Santa Monica City Council.
Get To Know Us
Our community is home to 103 tenants across 36 units, with 34 designated as low-income housing. We are a diverse and tight-knit group, deeply rooted in Santa Monica for three generations.
• 82 adults and 21 children
• 85% Latino, 14% African American, 1% other
• 21 senior citizens
• 13 tenants with disabilities
• 85% of our tenants work in Santa Monica, including city employees
• 6 adult students attending Santa Monica College
• 6 cats, 11 dogs, and 3 birds add to our community spirit
Our families have a long history in this building, with most moving in between 1970 and 1988. We take pride in giving back—over 90% of our families volunteer locally, and over 80% rely on Santa Monica’s clinics, food banks, and community services.
We are more than just tenants—we are neighbors, workers, and lifelong members of the Santa Monica community.
How You Can Help
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