Santa Monica

A Santa Monica social organization is asking for state money to fund an innovative program for treating mentally ill people residing on the Westside. (Re-)Socialization Skills Inc., a nonprofit organization, is asking for $332,000 to fund a yearlong pilot program that would take 24 homeless mentally ill people off the streets by giving them jobs and their own apartments. Santa Monica’s homeless population has increased during the past few years. Bart Ellis, executive director, said (Re-)Socialization’s program is unique because it provides jobs, housing and costs considerably less than institutionalization.