-

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

Share

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

More News From UNITE HERE Local 11

Workers at Aimbridge-operated hotels in Los Angeles and Philadelphia strike during event-filled weekend, UNITE HERE reports

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In the shadow of the Hollywood Bowl, hotel workers at the Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Hollywood started a picket line at 6 AM local time today. The 160-room hotel, owned by RLJ Lodging Trust and operated by Aimbridge Hospitality, expected high occupancy this weekend for one of the last Hollywood Bowl concerts of the year. In Philadelphia, workers at the Wyndham Historic District hotel—also owned by RLJ Lodging Trust and operated by Aimbridge—walked off the job earli...

UNITE HERE Local 11 Releases Open Letter to Atlantic Street Capital Investors Regarding Zips Car Wash Bankruptcy

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UNITE HERE Local 11 released a letter to Atlantic Street Capital investor because they have invested in one or more private equity funds raised by Atlantic Street Capital (“ASC”) and should ask ASC questions regarding the recent bankruptcy of ASC portfolio company Zips Car Wash. ASC acquired a majority stake in Zips Car Wash in May 2020 through ASC IV, and along with investment from Northleaf Capital Partners, acquired the remaining common equity from existing owne...

UNITE HERE Local 11 Alert for Jamaica Bay Inn Investors: Stop Pacifica Hotels’ Reckless Campaign Against Workers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UNITE HERE Local 11 sent a letter to Jamaica Bay Inn investors regarding the ongoing labor dispute at the Marina Del Rey property, which is operated by Pacifica Hotels. The letter describes how Pacifica Hotels representatives Adam Marquis and Matt Marquis, as well as labor relations consultants Ricardo Pasalagua and Jorge Sandoval, participated in an aggressive antiunion campaign at the Jamaica Bay. UNITE HERE Local 11 has alleged in pending unfair labor practice c...
Back to Newsroom