August 11, 2025 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

Bonin’s Proposal to Study Creating More Westside Shelters Passes City Council

Los Angeles City Council gives green light to conduct feasibility study

By Sam Catanzaro

Lawmakers have approved Councilmember Mike Bonin’s plan to conduct a feasibility study on bringing homeless shelters to an array of Westside public spaces, parks and government buildings.

On May 26, Los Angeles City Council voted 13-1 with one abstention to approve Bonin’s proposal to look into bringing more housing for homeless individuals to the Westside. The one dissenting vote was from Councilmember Joe Buscaino. 

On March 31, Bonin introduced a motion to Council that would evaluate the feasibility of bringing a variety of projects to combat homelessness to locations across the Westside.

“Addressing our homelessness crisis requires a wide range of solutions, applied urgently and simultaneously, targeting different populations and focusing a variety of resources, across the City of Los Angeles,” reads the motion. “Homelessness across Southern California, Los Angeles, and the 11th District continues to increase, and much more must be done. Different interventions must be tried, and more locations must be identified.”

Among the locations is the Los Angeles County-owned parking lot at Will Rogers State Beach at 17000 Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades. According to Bonin, this location would serve as a temporary site for single-occupancy tiny-homes or safe camping.

The motion also calls for looking into the feasibility of bringing similar housing options to the following locations across the Westside: Mar Vista (Mar Vista Park), Marina Del Rey (Fisherman’s Village), Playa del Rey (Dockweiler Beach), Del Rey (private building at 5000 Beethoven Avenue), Westchester (Westchester Park) and West LA (West LA Municipal Building).

In addition, the motion proposes a single-occupancy tiny-homes or safe camping sites on a property owned by Culver City for a joint LA-Culver City program and at an undetermined location at LAX. The motion also would instruct the City Housing Authority to work with Council District 11 and willing property owners to enter into master lease agreements for hotel rooms or apartment units to be used for homeless housing.

“There are those who say there are places where we should look, and there are those that say there are places where we should not look. I am determined to be in that first [group]. And as I said. I do not feel it would be appropriate to say we can’t do it in my part of town,” Bonin said during the City Council meeting Wednesday. 

There was initially not supposed to be public comment during the virtual meeting Wednesday, but City Council President Nury Martinez under pressure allowed it to happen. The result was nearly two hours of public comment, with a majority of callers opposed to the proposal. 

Since its introduction, the motion has been met with opposition from residents and various stakeholders throughout Council District 11, including the Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC), Brentwood Community Council and Supervisor Janice Hahn. 

The PPCC has been against the proposal since Bonin first introduced the legislation to City Council. Two weeks ago, however, amid the Palisades Fire, the PPCC upped their opposition. During the fire–started by a 48-year-old homeless man who has since been arrested–the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) used the Will Rogers State Beach parking lot as a command post. In a letter to Bonin and other officials, the PPCC argued the use of the parking lot for housing would reduce first responders’ ability to combat fires. 

“The dangerous Palisades Fire…has put this matter into stark relief for the Palisades community. Under no circumstances should public officials entertain the idea of sanctioning homeless habitation at Will Rogers State Beach (WRSB) or any of our nearby fire-prone areas,” the PCCC wrote. “Reducing the capacity in the WRSB parking lots for critical life and property saving activities would have a devastating impact on the Palisades community and the wider region. Our community is at acute risk of wildfires. Homeless individuals regularly set fires on our beaches and in nearby bluffs areas. The Los Angeles Times reported last week that fires in homeless encampments have nearly tripled in the first four months of 2021.” 

In addition, nearly 30,000 people have signed a petition opposing the use of beaches, parks and residential neighborhoods for shelter options. 

Some organizations, like the Venice Chamber of Commerce, have come out in support of parts of the proposal and against others. 

“The use of shared, public recreational spaces are a benefit and resource for the entire community of Los Angeles. California beaches are a unique and valued place for residents and visitors from throughout the world,” wrote Chamber President George Francisco. “The Chamber strongly supports use of the vacant West LA Civic Center for homeless shelters given its proximity to transportation and services in a safe environment.”

“The City and County need to do more to identify government owned land that is suitable for temporary housing and longer-term construction of low-income housing.” 

Among those who are fully behind the proposal is the Los Angeles Times, who ran an editorial last weekend supporting Bonin’s motion. 

“…homelessness is an immediate emergency. Isn’t that what most city residents (except the ones in the Palisades, apparently) keep saying to anyone who will listen? And Bonin is an example of a council member acting on that,” reads the editorial. “It’s possible that putting camps even in parking lots will pose too many problems. Will it interfere with beachgoers trying to park? Will the Coastal Commission approve? Those are legitimate questions. So let a study examine all that.” 

in News
Related Posts

Brand New Palisades Estate Designed by Ken Ungar Enters Market at $22.5M

August 11, 2025

August 11, 2025

The listing comes amid continued demand for ultra-luxury housing in Los Angeles’ Westside neighborhoods, where properties exceeding $20 million remain...

Entertainment Firm Extends Long-Term Commitment to Santa Monica Office Hub

August 11, 2025

August 11, 2025

The property underwent extensive renovations in recent months, including a full seismic upgrade, a redesigned main lobby The Swig Company...

Officials Confirms 26 Potential Dog Illness Cases Linked to Venice Canals; Toxin Warning Remains in Effect

August 10, 2025

August 10, 2025

The Venice Canals Association, which first raised alarm over the dog deaths, continues to collect data from residents and share...

10-Unit Venice Apartment Complex Steps from Oceanfront Lists for $4.6M

August 10, 2025

August 10, 2025

The property offers significant investment potential, with up to eight of the 10 units available vacant at close of escrow...

Santa Monica Public Library Announces September Events

August 9, 2025

August 9, 2025

Among the events is Puppets in the Library, classes on how to write engaging scenes, celebrations of Hispanic Heritage Month, and...

County Launches Mental Health Initiative for Veterans

August 9, 2025

August 9, 2025

The program is designed to eliminate barriers to mental health services by offering veterans direct access to free emotional support,...

Los Angeles Youth Orchestra to Hold Auditions for 25-26 Season

August 9, 2025

August 9, 2025

The orchestra’s upcoming season includes Fall and Spring concerts at venues such as Pasadena’s Ambassador Auditorium and Barnum Hall in...

California Partners with Tech Giants to Boost AI Workforce

August 9, 2025

August 9, 2025

The partnerships aim to prepare students from high schools to California State Universities for careers in artificial intelligence and other...

Mural “The Healing Fields” Unveiled in LA as Part of Anti-Hate Campaign

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

The mural was created with the help of community healers and formerly incarcerated leaders, including Tobias Tubbs and Kenneth Webb,...

Marina del Rey Hosts Local Youth for 2nd Annual Career Day

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

The students gained hands-on insight into a variety of roles within the tourism sector, from hospitality and event management to...

Children’s Hospital to Expand Pediatric Orthopedic Services in Santa Monica with $10M Gift

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

The funding will support expanded clinic space, new equipment, and the recruitment of additional orthopedic specialists in Santa Monica Children’s...

Big Blue Bus Returns to Palisades This Weekend

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

The Route 9 reinstatement is part of a larger set of service changes taking effect After months of limited operations,...

Search Underway for Missing Las Vegas Woman Near Venice Beach

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Officials received a report around 8:40 p.m. from a beachgoer who found a cellphone, wallet, shoes, and a passport in...

Venice Shorts: Main Street Encampment Cleaned and Cleared

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

The encampment was cleared August 7 By Nick Antonicello  Thanks to the speedy efforts of Councilwoman Traci Park’s staff, the...

Study Estimates Hundreds More Deaths from Los Angeles Wildfires Than Official Counts

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Public health experts say the elevated death figures underscore the invisible toll wildfires can inflict—beyond burns and smoke inhalation A...