ACTION Apartment Association

L.A. fires: Legal obligations and ways rental property owners can help

01/14/2025 8:56 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

California’s anti-price-gouging law, Penal Code Section 396, is now in effect.

Fast-tracks rebuilding efforts, extends price-gouging protections, and provides tax relief to wildfire victims

01/13/2025 10:28 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Evacuation Order Issued

01/08/2025 9:15 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

City officials have issued an Evacuation Order for all areas of Santa Monica north of San Vicente Boulevard due to an "immediate threat to life" from the Pacific Palisades fire.

"This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW," the alert issued at 7:38 p.m. states. "The area is closed to public access."

Meanwhile, an Evacuation Warning has been issued for all areas north of Montana to San Vicente due to "a potential threat to life and/or property.

Local Rents Dropped Last Year

01/08/2025 9:13 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The local median rent fell 1.5 percent over the past 12 months, a steeper drop than the state average of -0.8 percent and the national average of -0.6 percent.

2025 Santa Monica State of the City

01/07/2025 9:06 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Thursday, February 13 · 5 - 7pm PST

New Roads School

3131 Olympic Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90404

New Planning Head Assumes Post

01/07/2025 8:58 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Last month, City Manager David White appointed Planning Manager Jing Yeo as Santa Monica's acting director of Community development effective December 31.

Yeo will replace David Martin who retired after more than a decade helping steer the physical development of a city coveted by builders and fiercely guarded by grassroots activists.

At its first full meeting last month, the Council unanimously approved a process that grants "swift and smooth approval" for large housing projects in non-residential neighborhoods that meet zoning standards ("Council Makes it Easier to Build Large Housing Projects," March 18, 2024).

City Preps for Homeless Diversion Program

01/06/2025 10:09 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City this spring will launch an $8 million three-year program that provides homeless persons arrested for misdemeanor crimes an alternative to jail.

SaMo Bridge -- which is funded with a Prop 47 grant from the State -- will be run out of a “respite hub” consisting of two trailers on the east side of the parking lot of the unused Civic Auditorium.

How the Preserving Our Diversity (POD) program helps seniors stay housed in Santa Monica

01/03/2025 5:00 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The POD program is currently accepting applications from income-qualified long-term Santa Monica seniors age 65+. In January, eligibility for the program will be expanded to include seniors who moved into their rent-controlled apartment prior to 2005 (was previously 2000). If you think you might qualify, please visit santamonica.gov/housing-pod for more information or email podprogram@santamonica.gov.

Webinar offers 2025 compliance rundown for California landlords

01/03/2025 4:58 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

California landlords face a host of new legal requirements in 2025, including changes to security deposit documentation, screening fee policies, and expanded protections for domestic violence survivors.

SM.a.r.t. Column: Adaptive Liveability

01/03/2025 1:48 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Adaptive reuse isn’t just about quirky aesthetics. It’s about making our city more sustainable, more affordable. And, what makes adaptive reuse so sustainable? Well, the greenest building is the one that’s already standing and not demolished. Construction creates a ton of waste. It actually makes up about 40% of all the stuff we send to landfills. By reusing existing structures we reduce waste, and have less negative environmental impact.