"Scene in Santa Monica "  By Hilary McKenna. The beautiful surfside city of Santa Monica is commonly known for its sunny beaches, tourist attractions and local culture.

Great restaurants, sea breezes, and colorful street performers make Santa Monica a popular destination.  Homeless people also are drawn to this beach city, especially to the 3rd Street Promenade, where shopping and restaurants attract heavy tourism.  According to the Santa Monica Police Department, there are approximately 2,800 men, women, and children who sleep on the streets of Santa Monica each night.

While some of the 90,000 residents are fed up with the homeless crowding local beaches,business districts, and outdoor restaurants, most of those who live and work in Santa Monica have become accustomed to the large number of homeless and are somewhat sympathetic toward their reasons for living there.   “It’s warmer.  It’s by the beach," a Los Angeles resident explains.

"There are more restaurants that are outside so they can ask the customers if they want food or something.  There are just more resources for them here probably.”    There are many organizations in West LA working together to provide services that can help people find homes and get back on their feet.  “We are a physical address for people to receive their mail,” says Tod Lipka, Executive Director, Step Up on Second, one of the agencies which offers services to the homeless.

"We have showers that members can sign up for and laundry facilities and we also provide housing assistance.”   Officials say that even though there are plenty of services available to homeless people, resources and space for shelters are becoming scarce. Since Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has recently put aside money for housing, and LA County has devised a ten-year plan to end homelessness, local officials are positive about future progress.   "It's a good time to see changes," says Lisa Fisher of the Westside Shelter and Hunger Coalition. "But change happens slowly." Copyright 2007 Hilary McKenna All Rights Reserved About the author: Hilary McKenna grew up in Colorado where she was a High School All American Swimmer.  She is a 2007 graduate of California State University Long Beach, with a degree in Journalism.