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New Survey Finds Santa Monica Voters Strongly Support Housing and Parks on Santa Monica Airport Land

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the Santa Monica City Council considers the future of the soon-to-close airport, new survey results reveal that a majority of local voters support transforming the 191-acre site into a mix of affordable housing and parkland.

76% say Santa Monica has a serious housing shortage, especially affordable housing; 74% want the city to make affordable housing a high priority

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The survey was conducted by Goodwin Simon Strategic Research from June 26 to July 1, 2025 with 449 randomly selected Santa Monica voters, and was offered in both English and Spanish. It found:

  • 65% want at least some housing built on the site
  • 46% support an even split between housing and open space
  • 67% support building workforce housing for teachers, nurses, and other essential workers
  • Only 28% support using the entire site exclusively for parks or open space

Voters also overwhelmingly acknowledged the urgency of the housing crisis:

  • 76% say Santa Monica has a serious housing shortage, especially affordable housing
  • 74% want the city to make affordable housing a high priority
  • 70% believe more housing is needed so that younger families and non-wealthy residents can afford to stay

Under Measure LC, passed by voters in 2014, redevelopment of the airport land must prioritize parks and recreational uses or be approved by a majority vote. Community members say the data clearly shows that voters are open to a mixed-use approach that addresses today’s most pressing challenges.

The findings will be presented to the Santa Monica City Council at its July 8 meeting by community leaders from CLUE, UNITE HERE! Local 11, the Cloverfield Commons Coalition, and a diverse group of residents, workers, students, and faith leaders.

UNITE HERE Local 11 is the union of more than 32,000 workers in hotels, restaurants, airports, sports arenas & convention centers in So. California & Arizona.

LINK TO MEMO: https://www.unitehere11.org/wp-content/uploads/Santa-Monica-Housing-Survey-Results-public-memo-.pdf

Contacts

MEDIA CONTACT: Victoria Stahl | vstahl@unitehere11.org | (623)329-1662

Industry:

UNITE HERE Local 11

Release Versions
English

Contacts

MEDIA CONTACT: Victoria Stahl | vstahl@unitehere11.org | (623)329-1662

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