Fraudulent Sober Housing Disrupts Santa Monica Neighborhood

A fake sober living facility in the affluent Ocean Avenue area has stirred up chaos for residents and local officials in Santa Monica.

On November 25, neighbors noticed newcomers settling into 413 Ocean Avenue, a former senior living complex with stunning ocean views. By morning, neighborhood group chats were buzzing with inquiries about who these new occupants were, sparking concerns due to the lack of prior notice.

Mayor Lana Negrete was among the first to raise the alarm, posting her worries on Instagram. She expressed that “people have moved in,” and emphasized the need to protect vulnerable individuals from being placed “into unsafe, unauthorized spaces.” She firmly believes everyone deserves dignity, stability, and proper oversight, adding that policy changes are in the works to prevent similar situations in the future.

“It was instant chaos,” said a long-term resident next door, who chose to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation. There was fighting, smoking, and rampant noise. “You could literally see the doors fly open, people walking in, and I thought, ‘Last I heard, there wasn’t any certificate of occupancy or a new business operating here,’” recounted Greg Morena, a former city councilman and a nearby resident.

Morena pointed out that local zoning regulations require notification when a property’s purpose changes, usually through a conditional use permit or something similar. “They didn’t do anything. There was no outreach whatsoever. If there’s a change in usage, it’s supposed to be publicized,” he said.

A multi-department inspection team from Santa Monica arrived at 413 Ocean Avenue on Wednesday for an evaluation. During this visit, city officials were informed that the facility was being run as a sober living home. However, upon inspecting the premises, they discovered it was in “poor condition” and not fit for residential purposes.

The site’s staff claimed they were unaware that they were operating an unlicensed facility and indicated they would start evicting residents as directed by the city. Some individuals, including those brought in from other states, have already been moved to a facility in Thousand Oaks, according to the staff, who mentioned that efforts were underway to remove everyone.

City officials stated they would document their findings and communicate with property owners, developers, and operators to reinforce eviction notices, tenant relocation mandates, and outline forthcoming actions.

As of Monday, the facility was vacant.

This unexpected upheaval during Thanksgiving week caught neighbors off guard, especially given a similar situation they had recently faced. Back in late October, news broke about changes at nearby 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue, which were designated for a county mental health housing program meant to assist 49 individuals with behavioral health needs.

The county’s announcement was made with minimal notice, leaving residents bewildered until late-night updates revealed that people would soon be moving in.

Mayor Lana Negrete had publicly criticized that situation, sharing her experience living near three similar facilities without ever being informed or invited to a community meeting.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath later admitted that the communication surrounding the project had been lacking.

In the wake of the October incident, neighbors united, leading to the formation of the Santa Monica Neighbors group, which now includes several hundred members. “We only found out post-factum,” Morena reflected. “We lacked information about these facilities, and so did neighborhood groups. We received nothing.”

Mayor Negrete assured that she wouldn’t let operators take advantage of oversight gaps. “I refuse to hide behind policies that don’t serve our community,” she noted firmly. “We need to condemn unethical tactics that exploit vulnerable individuals and the communities suddenly affected. Transparency is crucial, and I’m advocating for directives to ensure this situation never recurs.”

Morena stressed that residents are not against recovery housing or mental health facilities; they are opposed to unlicensed, secretive projects being thrust into residential neighborhoods without community involvement. “These facilities can be beneficial if neighbors are engaged,” he remarked. “But this kind of chaos occurs when you bypass zoning, safety, and due process.”

“It truly takes a community to monitor a neighborhood,” Morena added. “We’re keeping an eye on things.”