Local Initiatives to Relocate Homeless Individuals in Santa Monica

In a move to address the growing homelessness crisis in Santa Monica, a wealthy California beach community, some residents and business owners are funding efforts to send homeless individuals out of town. The initiative aims to give displaced persons a one-way ticket back home, with a focus on those from outside the state, those not on drugs, and with family waiting for them elsewhere.

Santa Monica’s streets and parks are increasingly overrun with tents, shops are being ransacked, and daytime violence has become common, despite an official state of emergency and millions in public funds that have yielded little progress.

Property manager John Alle has spearheaded a program offering free bus and plane tickets to homeless people eager to leave Santa Monica. The initiative has already helped six individuals reunite with their families, including a woman flown to Georgia to be with her elderly aunt. Alle notes many homeless feel trapped and are seeking a way out of the dangerous environment.

One homeless man, DeBlau, expressed frustration about his life on the streets, saying he’d love a one-way ticket out of town. He described experiencing violence firsthand, including being stabbed, robbed, and beaten. Despite considering leaving by hitchhiking, he fears for his safety and is eager for assistance to escape. He now resides in a park near City Hall, which has become an unofficial shelter.

Santa Monica’s popular Third Street Promenade has suffered with abandoned stores, graffiti, thefts, and disturbing public behavior from some homeless individuals. Business owners report frequent thefts and confrontations in broad daylight, contributing to fears and early closures among staff.

The city’s leadership maintains that homelessness is under control, even as local entrepreneurs and residents see signs of deterioration. Critics argue that existing government programs have failed, with funds flowing into empty housing or programs that distribute drug paraphernalia.

Allen, who owns property on the Promenade, shared his personal experience of being assaulted by a homeless individual, causing long-term injuries. He hopes that expanding his relocation program will eventually gain city support and better manage the situation.