$4 Million OKd for Social Services in Santa Monica

The Santa Monica City Council has approved almost $4 million for social service programs serving the poor and for construction of low-income housing.

The council Tuesday approved the city staff’s funding recommendations for the next fiscal year after hearing more than four hours of public testimony. In response to some of that testimony, the council indicated that it will consider approving additional social service funding at its next meeting.

Most of the nearly 100 speakers appealled for funds for particular agencies, many of them speaking in support of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles.

The city staff recommended that the council refuse the foundation’s request for a $107,000 grant next year and have Westside Legal Services assume responsibility for advising tenants. The foundation received almost $60,000 last year to supply low-income tenants with legal advice.

Speakers also asked the council to increase funding for the Venice Family Clinic. And some urged the council to approve cost-of-living increases for social service agencies.

Representatives of the Pico Neighborhood Assn. protested a recommendation to cut off funds for its job-placement program, which last year received $45,000 from the city. The council approved $102,718 for the Pico group to fund its other activities, the same amount as last year.