New 24/7 respite hub connects people to housing and health services
June 30, 2025 4:12 PM
by Jenna Grigsby-Taggart
The city of Santa Monica’s new diversion program, SaMo Bridge, officially opened in May, and has already proved to be a valuable resource for justice-involved individuals in the city.
SaMo Bridge is a collaboration between the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office, Police Department, and the nonprofit Exodus Recovery. The program is designed to connect people experiencing homelessness and behavioral health challenges to stabilizing services. Participation is by law enforcement referral only, and the goal is to address the root causes of individuals’ contact with the Police Department and the criminal justice system.
The main physical component of SaMo Bridge is a 24/7 respite hub, located at Main Street and Pico Boulevard. When law enforcement picks up an individual for a minor offense, rather than taking them to jail, where they’ll most likely be cited and released, the officers can take the person to the respite hub.
At the site, Exodus staff provide light snacks, clean clothing and a safe place to rest, removing some of the biggest barriers to someone getting care. While the individual is at the hub, staff initiate case management services. Participants receive support connecting to housing resources, substance use treatment and mental health care. Individuals who complete a 90-day care plan may earn a dismissal of their charges or the City Attorney’s Office will not file a new case, supporting long-term stability and recovery.
In the program’s first month, the Police Department engaged and referred 56 people to the SaMo Bridge program.
Thirty-seven of those individuals were immediately and successfully connected to housing and supportive services.
With this early success of SaMo Bridge, the city is well on its way to the goal of engaging 260 individuals annually through the program.
SaMo Bridge is part of the city’s innovative, cross-departmental approach to homelessness, addressing immediate needs and advancing long-term solutions rather than relying on traditional enforcement alone. By offering services first and prosecution second, the city seeks to interrupt the cycle of arrest, release, and re-arrest that leads to prolonged episodes of homelessness.
The program is a key addition to the city’s diversion portfolio, which also includes STEP Court and the Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) Pre-Filing Diversion Program, and part of the city's strategic priority of Affordable, Livable, and Secure Housing for All.
The next in-person update to the community about SaMo Bridge is scheduled for the Human Services Commission meeting on Wednesday, July 9, at 3 p.m. in the SMI meeting room at 330 Olympic Drive.
The city will post SaMo Bridge status updates, FAQs and reports on the newly published diversion webpage at santamonica.gov. The new webpage includes information regarding SaMo Bridge, ATI, and STEP Court diversion programs.
Authored By
Jenna Grigsby-Taggart
Deputy City Attorney