HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION - CITY HALL, 1685 MAIN STREET ROOM 212, SANTA MONICA CA 90401 (310) 458-8701 /TTY (310) 458-8696

Contact List for Residents and Business Owners         Download a clip-n-save card (pdf)

By calling these numbers, you are taking the first step to link people to much-needed services

Emergencies...................................................................9-1-1

Santa Monica Police Department.....................(310) 458-8491

Homeless Liaison Program Police Officers.......(310) 458-8953

OPCC Adult Outreach Team..............................(310) 508-7943

Give Responsibly                         Download a printable Responsible Giving Guide (pdf)

Please rethink well-meaning but short-lived efforts to help homeless people. 94% of the homeless population in Santa Monica struggles with substance abuse or mental illness. The handouts they get allow them to experience one more day on the street rather than accessing the services that will help them rebuild their lives. Instead...

• Put your change in the Dolphin statues located on the 3rd St. Promenade (at Santa Monica), Main Street (at Ashland), and the Pier. The collected funds go to local homeless service agencies.

• Donate directly to local agencies working to resolve homelessness. Click here for a list of agencies: Westside Shelter & Hunger Coalition (WSHC).

• Volunteer your time at a social service agency or indoor meal service program. Visit the WSHC website or the City of Santa Monica volunteer site.

• It's illegal to leave food or clothing in public spaces! To donate clothing, contact the WSHC. If you anticipate having perishable food to donate, plan ahead with the Westside Food Bank.

Alternative to Panhandling Campaign

Many people aren't sure how to respond when approached by an individual asking for spare change.  While we want help someone who appears down on their luck, we are often left with the nagging question “Did I do the right thing?" A campaign to educate the public and encourage them to rethink giving directly to panhandlers and provide alternative giving mechanisms is underway.  In encouraging the public to rethink giving directly to panhandlers, our goal is to help them understand that it’s actually more compassionate not to give directly.

Phase 1 (Completed)

• Research on what other cities are doing

• Meetings with stakeholders (business, faith, neighborhoods, service providers, etc.)

• Resident and visitor survey 

• Message and creative development

• Focus groups with residents and non-residents

• Exploration of advertising opportunities

• Develop an alternative giving plan

Phase 2 (July 2008 - June 2009)

• A campaign launch press conference

• Develop a series of print ads to run around Santa Monica

• Ads on the sides of the Big Blue Bus

• The production and implementation of an alternative giving mechanism

• A basic campaign web site

Read more about what’s been accomplished to date and what’s next, as well as what other cities are doing on this issue (pdf)

View a recent PowerPoint presentation to Council (pdf)

Check back for more campaign updates!

This page was last modified on 04/06/2009