The decision halts a sprawling dispute that has wound through every tier of California’s judicial system since 2016 when the Pico Neighborhood Association and longtime resident Maria Loya first filed the case. The plaintiffs alleged that electing all seven City Council members on an at-large, citywide plurality basis unlawfully diluted the voting power of minority residents — specifically Latino voters, who make up about 14% of the city’s voting population and are geographically concentrated in the Pico neighborhood.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/judge-dismisses-landmark-voting-rights-lawsuit-against-santa-monica/

 I wanted to remind you that you have until November 30 to file an application for a Decline-in-Value Review (DIV) if you believe the market value of your property has fallen below the assessed value as of January 1, 2026. 

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The lender on a defaulted loan tied to The Park Santa Monica, a 249-unit luxury apartment complex at 500 Broadway, has scheduled a foreclosure auction of the property for next month, claiming more than $513 million is now owed, according to a notice of trustee's sale posted on the front of the building. 

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/apartment-complex-with-its-own-trader-joes-goes-up-for-auction/

These initiatives include incorporating Measure GS funds into the Housing Trust Fund Guidelines, expanding the Preserving Our Diversity program, adding additional Human Services Grants Programfunding forfood assistance and childcare subsidies, and strengthening the city’s Tenant Harassment Ordinance to more explicitly protect tenant organizing.   

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2026/11/05/santa-monica-city-council-moves-affordability-agenda-forward

What is frequently overlooked in the discussions of state-mandated rampant development is the increased fire risk to our city. Earlier this year, a New York Times Magazine cover story by David Wallace-Wells was titled, “Which City Burns Next?” Not whether there will be another Palisades/Altadena-level catastrophe but where, and why it is likely to happen: California has not altered its planning and development based on lessons learned. In fact, it quotes a fire expert as saying that, with the development choices we have made, “California is built to burn.”

Read More: https://smmirror.com/santa-monica-housing-density-and-the-risk-of-an-urban-firestorm/

Councilmember Lana Negrete and Mayor Caroline Torosis will return to the City Council, where they will be joined by environmental activist Ashley Oelsen after the latest vote tallies showed they had built insurmountable leads in Tuesday's race for three City Council seats.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2026/November-2026/11_06_2026_Two_Incumbents_Challenger_Win_Council_Race.html

The tenant notice ordinance amends the city’s Tenant Protections During Construction chapter. Landlords of occupied residential buildings would have to give tenants a city form describing the scope of work, approximate dates and duration and likely impacts on water, electricity and other building systems. Proof of delivery would be required before a permit application could move forward.

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The expanded program -- which currently helps seniors who are long-term rent control tenants -- lowers the minimum age for participants from 65 to 62 and allows senior renters living in deed-restricted affordable housing to participate.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2026/November-2026/11_02_2026_City_Expands_Rental_Assistance_Program_for_Seniors.html

SB 79 illustrates the problem. The Council voted 6-1 in 2025 to support legislation that later became state law and expanded development rights around major transit stops. Santa Monica then confronted what those provisions could mean here and began developing alternative zoning to limit their automatic application.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/santa-monica-city-council-land-use-decisions-face-scrutiny/

The council approved changes to the Preserving Our Diversity, or POD, program, which provides cash help to low-income, longtime renters. The minimum age drops from 65 to 62, the required tenure in a rent-controlled unit falls from 15 to 10 years and eligibility extends to deed-restricted affordable housing. Benefits will also get an annual cost of-living adjustment...

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