By Lookout Staff
March 6, 2025 -- The City is seeking applicants to serve on two new committees that will oversee a local measure that funds affordable housing and schools and a State bill to increase safety on the Big Blue Bus system.
The Measure GS Resident Oversight Committee was formed after voters approved Measure GS, which hiked the real estate transfer tax to help fund schools, homelessness prevention and affordable housing.
The committee will make recommendations to the City Council regarding guidelines for the Homelessness Prevention and Affordable Housing Fund and the allocation of annual funding among programs," City officials said.
There are five seats available for a term ending June 30, 2026, and six seats for a term ending June 30, 2028.
Four of the 11 members must belong to lower income households and at least one must be a participant in a locally funded rent subsidy program.
At least one member must be 65 years or older, one must have minor children, one must be experiencing mental or physical challenges and one must be formerly homeless.
At least two of these individuals must live in units that are not deed restricted and at least one must live in a unit that is deed restricted.
Seven members are not bound by income requirements but must have expertise in one of the following categories: affordable housing financing, affordable housing development, the legal field, accounting, homelessness prevention.
"If, after undertaking best efforts to solicit applicants, there is no candidate with expertise in one of the seven member required fields, the City Council may appoint a resident with different expertise, at their discretion," officials said.
All applicants must be residents of Santa Monica. Registered lobbyists and persons working for organizations seeking funding from the Homelessness Prevention and Affordable Housing Fund are ineligible to serve as members.
Applications can be submitted online by noon on March 18. Appointments will be made by the City Council on March 25.
The Transit Security Advisory Committee, which was formed in response to Assembly Bill 1417, will advise the Department of Transportation (DOT) on the implementation of its prohibition order program, officials said.
The program "aims to increase safety on the city’s Big Blue Bus system by giving DOT the ability to temporarily ban disruptive passengers."
"The committee will evaluate the procedures for, and issuance of, prohibition orders and recommend a course of training for personnel charged with issuing and enforcing prohibition orders," officials said.
There are five seats available for terms ending June 30, 2027, with each of the following requirements set for three of the seats: experience working with individuals with psychiatric, developmental or other disabilities; someone who is a youth advocate and another with law enforcement experience.
Applications can be filed online by noon on April 15. Appointments are set to be made by the City Council on April 22.
In addition to the two new committees, there are several open seats on other city boards, commissions and committees, including the Human Services Commission, Disabilities Commission and Architecture Review Board (ARB).
For a full list of available seats and to apply, click here
