By Niki Cervantes
Staff Writer
November 9, 2017 – The first and oldest “Step Up on Second” supportive-housing project in Santa Monica is asking the City Council to approve the issuance of up to $15 million in revenue bonds for rehabilitation of the 36-unit rental downtown.
Opened in 1994, the SRO apartment building at 1328 2nd Streetis one of several operated in Santa Monica and elsewhere by Step Up to help those experiencing severe mental health issues and/or homelessness.
As a member of the California Municipal Finance Authority (CMFA), the council can issue bonds for Step Up on Second Preservation, LP, in partnership with BlueGreen Preservation and Development, LLC, following a public hearing to be held at the council’s Tuesday meeting.
The bonds sought by Step Up “will be the sole responsibility of Step Up, and the City will have no financial, legal or moral obligation, liability, or responsibility for the repayment of the bonds,” a report to the council said.
The funding is needed for “rehabilitation, improvement and equipping” the site, a staff report said.
“Step Up on Second has served as the service coordinator and mental health provider for the facility since inception and as the property manager for the last seven years,” according to its website.
“This facility provides permanent supportive home units for adults experiencing mental issues” and possibly homelessness,” the site said.
It is “one of the earliest demonstrations of the success of permanent supportive housing as a solution for adults experiencing mental health issues and homelessness,” it said.
The ground floor includes a center for psychological-social rehabilitation.
Step Up provides permanent supportive housing for adults and transitional aged youth (18-28 years of age) experiencing mental health issues.
It operates 200 units in Santa Monica and Hollywood, as well as other sites in the Greater Los Angeles area.
Among the group’s other supportive-living apartment buildings in Santa Monica are Step Up on Fifth, 1548 Fifth Street; Daniel’s Village, 2624 Santa Monica Boulevard; and Step Up On Colorado, 520 Colorado Avenue.
The council’s Tuesday meeting starts at 5:30 p.m., although it usually adjourns for about an hour to executive session to handle such matters as pending litigation before considering the rest of the agenda.
Council Chambers are in the Civic Center’s City Hall, at 1685 Main Street, Room 213.
