Search
Close this search box.

Descendants of Displaced Black Families in Santa Monica Apply for New Homes

Black families apply for homes in Santa Monica
via YouTube screenshot / NBCLX

*More than 100 descendants of Black families who were forced out of Santa Monica during the construction of urban development projects in the city during the 1950s and 1960s have applied for new housing as part of a city program.

The Below Market Housing pilot was launched in January and “looks to match families and their descendants who were displaced during urban development projects in the city during the 1950s and 1960s,” per  KNX 1070 News Radio Los Angeles. 

According to The Times, an estimated 600 families lost their homes when the I-10 freeway was built through the Pico neighborhood. 

Learn more about the historic Pico district via the video report below.

OTHER NEWS: Elite Entertainment Panel to Speak Saturday, April 16, 2022 at the 23rd annual ‘ULMII’ Conference

Here’s more from the KNX report:

The program, which will provide priority in city-funded housing and inclusionary housing for up to 100 applicants, will remain open to applicants through Feb. 22. Applicants can be from households or descendants of households (children or grandchildren) who were displaced, city officials said.

Nationwide, more than 1 million people lost their homes in just the first two decades of interstate construction alone, as highway planners targeted many Black neighborhoods for destruction, and displaced families often received little compensation, according to The Times.

“We created this program in the earnest hope that former Santa Monica residents take advantage of this new affordable housing opportunity,” Mayor Sue Himmelrich said in a statement to Patch. “If you know community members who were displaced in the 1950s and 1960s, we ask for your assistance in sharing the pilot information so we can identify as many candidates as possible.”

Per Patch, If more than 100 households apply within the first 30 days of the application period, a lottery will be conducted.”

City leaders hope their efforts will launch a national model that tackles racist policies of the past, according to the report. 

“The African American neighborhood thrived in the Belmar Triangle until the 1950s when it literally went up in smoke in the name of urban renewal,” according to the city of Santa Monica’s website. “The land was taken away by eminent domain to make way for the City’s expanded Civic Center, which included an Auditorium and the Los Angeles County Courthouse. The City burned down homes and businesses both rented and owned by African Americans and other marginalized groups.”

We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!

NFL - Depositphoto
Juan Flores - Lead vocalist of The Roulettes
Congressmembers Hakeem Jeffries and Sydney Kamlager-Dove at fundraiser for DCCC - courtesy photo
Paul George - Depositphotos
Rapper The Game -_getty_-_h_2019_
Dolce & Gabbana Super Bowl - Usher and Alicia Keys - (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports-Reuters)
Kamala Harris (Andrew Harnik-Getty Images via CNN Newsource)
Lee Daniels - Depositphotos
Boyz II Men
Ginuwine - via Instagram
Tyrese Gibson
Read More
Lizzo (Getty)
Read More
Steve Harvey
Read More
Tim Walz at 2024 DNC - screenshot
Read More
Ghostface Killah
Read More
Kamala Harris - via CBM
Read More
Monica and Brandy
Read More
Donald Trump - Nate Holden (Getty/YouTube)
Read More
Sean Diddy Combs Beyonce Jay-Z / GettyImages
Read More
Don Lemon on CNN - screenshot
Read More

POPULAR

NFL - Depositphoto
NFL
NFL Pulls Out Influencer Playbook to Increase Gen Z and Female Viewers
Juan Flores - Lead vocalist of The Roulettes
The Pulse of Entertainment: Rock’s The Roulettes, Signs with Rock Solid - Releases ‘On the Way Down’
Congressmembers Hakeem Jeffries and Sydney Kamlager-Dove at fundraiser for DCCC - courtesy photo
LA Congressmember Sydney Kamlager-Dove Hosts Fundraiser for Hakeem Jeffries and the DCCC | PICs
Paul George - Depositphotos
NBA
Paul George Sr. on Son's LA Clippers Exit: ‘I Felt Like They Stabbed Us in the Back’ | WATCH
Rapper The Game -_getty_-_h_2019_
The Game Wanted for Unpaid $7 Million Debt - Giannis Antetokounmpo Weds Longtime Baby Mama
Dolce & Gabbana Super Bowl - Usher and Alicia Keys - (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports-Reuters)
Usher Shares Alicia Keys Inspired Thoughts of Bringing His Music to Broadway | VIDEO
Kamala Harris (Andrew Harnik-Getty Images via CNN Newsource)
NAACP and USC (University of South Carolina) Students Unite in Call to CANCEL Kamala Harris ‘Roast’ | VIDEO
Lee Daniels - Depositphotos
The Cost of Fame: Lee Daniels Calls 'Empire' His 'Worst Experience' Yet
Boyz II Men
Shawn Stockman’s Reaction to 'Cornballs' Critical of Boyz II Men Pic with Michael McCrary: ‘STFU!’
1 2 3 8,279