About Us
The Neighborhood TaskForce formed to restore the voices our residents lost when both the California State Legislature and the Santa Monica City Council granted housing developers the right to build residential and mixed use projects on sites of less than one acre "by right" -- without discretionary public hearings, deliberations and votes, and without sufficient consideration of infrastructure and the needs of existing neighborhoods.
These recent one-size-fits-all laws have left Santa Monicans with little voice in the development process or outcomes for our own neighborhoods and city.
Why The Neighborhood TaskForce?
Cities work best when residents' voices are heard. We acknowledge the need for new housing, greater affordability statewide, and vibrant local retail environments. We believe growth and change can be good, when thoughtfully conceived. Residents' voices are vital to that process.
We promote prudent land use and forward-thinking transportation planning, larger scale residential mixed use communities located in very close proximity to the Expo line, and vibrant commercial corridors sensitively scaled in relationship to existing residential neighborhoods.
We look forward to engaging with the development community, City staff, and elected officials to achieve balanced growth, offer working families who’ve otherwise been excluded from the Santa Monica marketplace the opportunity to live in our city, and respect and protect sustainable neighborhoods.
Collaboration
We're an organization that genuinely listens to ideas and proposals for our neighborhoods that come from developer applicants, City staff, and elected officials. We intend to collaborate and arrive at a win/win for all involved and to challenge them when they fail to join in collaborative pathways or do not explore possibilities in good faith.
Community
As The Neighborhood TaskForce learns and grows, we can share our lessons and experience with others and support their independent efforts to shape and improve their neighborhoods.
Our Board
Loren Bloch
Board Member
Loren’s companies developed and built affordable housing and mixed use residential communities for more than 30 years. He served on the board of the Santa Monica Boys and Girls Clubs for 15 years, and on the Santa Monica Housing Commission for 7 years. He and his wife Ping have resided in Santa Monica for more than 40 years, where they raised two children, both of whom graduated from Santa Monica public schools.
Elliot Gordon
Board Member
Elliot is a mediator and arbitrator. He has lived in the Sunset Park neighborhood for nearly twenty-five years. Elliot served on the Santa Monica Personnel Board for over ten years, including a term as its Chair.
Alex Ward
Board Member
Alex is an architect and long-time Santa Monica resident. His design work includes everything from ADUs to skyscrapers, and everywhere from Santa Monica College and LAX to Beijing and Tokyo. He serves on the board of the Friends of the Los Angeles River and the British Architectural Library Trust. He hikes, rows, reads and cooks, among other things.
Heather Thomason
Board Member
Heather is a screenwriter and community organizer active across multiple Santa Monica civic groups. She organizes information sessions on local development and works to amplify resident voices across the community. Heather and her husband have lived in Sunset Park since 2022, raising their two children.
Jennifer Polhemus
Board Member
Jennifer is an economist, former Santa Monica Planning Commissioner, and a founder of the Friends of Sunset Park neighborhood association. After raising two Samohi and SMC alumni, she now lives in a multigenerational household with a grandchild in SMMUSD. She likes to bike, read, and explore.
And Officers
President - Loren Bloch
Vice President - Alex Ward
Treasurer - Teri Bernstein
Secretary - Chris Kanjo
Become a Supporter
TNT is an all-volunteer organization. Your donations will support research that can be used to educate residents and stakeholders about the impacts of various development projects on the environment, livability, and sustainability of neighborhoods in Santa Monica, as well as consultants, legal counsel and representation. We do not make direct donations to political campaigns of any kind.
We are a 501 (c) (4) California public benefit nonprofit focusing on social welfare, rather than charitable giving. Therefore your contribution is not tax deductible. We welcome interested Santa Monica renters and homeowners to register as supporters.
Please join us and help shape Santa Monica.
Some recommended levels of giving:
If you prefer Zelle (which has no service fees), find us at:
contributions@theneighborhoodtaskforce.org
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Contact
Have a question? Want to learn more about The Neighborhood TaskForce? Want to tell us what you are concerned about? We want to hear from you. Contact us. Join our mailing list.