Defending Affordable Housing in Santa Monica

We are proud to announce another legal victory on behalf of the City of Santa Monica with the Hollywood Community Housing Corporation in their efforts to bring critically needed affordable housing to our communities.

Tyson Sohagi and our Land Use & Environmental team successfully prevailed in two separate lawsuits challenging the City’s approval of a 100% affordable housing development project at 1217 Euclid Street. The Los Angeles Superior Court granted the City’s motions to strike both complaints under CCP § 425.19, a new statute designed to protect affordable housing projects from litigation and award defendants their attorney’s fees. (La Brea Washington Co. LLC v. City of Santa Monica, LA Superior Court Case Nos. 25STCP00154 and 25STCP00961.)

These rulings reaffirm that cities have the authority, and duty to prioritize housing solutions for lower-income residents without being hindered by unnecessary legal roadblocks. The project will replace an underutilized City-owned parking lot with 48 affordable homes, furthering the City’s commitment under its Housing Element to address the housing crisis with bold, forward-thinking policy.

We are honored to represent our client in this effort and are proud of the positive results we’ve helped achieve – not only for our clients, but for the broader community and future residents of Santa Monica.