Proposition R -- approved by local voters in 1990 -- requires that 30 percent of new multifamily housing constructed annually be affordable to low- and moderate-income households.

Santa Monica met that goal in Fiscal Year 2022-23, when 164 of the 484 units built, or 34 percent, were affordable, but fell short of the requirement in the three previous years.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2024/May-2024/05_08_2024_Santa_Monica_Struggles_to_Meet_Affordable_Housing_Targets.html

A showdown between top City officials and proponents of a ballot initiative seeking to amend Measure GS is brewing one day after former Mayor Pam O'Connor submitted signatures to qualify the measure for the November ballot.

O'Connor -- who is sponsoring the initiative to exempt the sale of multi-family housing from Santa Monica's transfer tax hike -- submitted 4,156 signatures to the City Clerk on Monday, according to a press release issued Tuesday.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2024/May-2024/05_07_2024_OConnor_Submits_Signatures_to_Amend_Transfer_Tax.html

It is critical that incentives remain catalysts for affordable housing production, not just another corporate handout. 

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2024/05/sm-a-r-t-column-where-will-our-huddled-masses-sleep-navigating-californias-affordable-housing-mandates/

At the April 11 meeting of the Santa Monica Rent Control Board, legislative advocate Brian Augusta presented key bills making their way through state government pertaining to rent control and tenant protection.

Read More: https://smdp.com/2024/05/07/more-laws-proposed-in-sacramento-to-protect-renters/

In alignment with the city’s strategic priority of fostering Economic Growth & Cultural Vitality, the city of Santa Monica’s Building and Safety Division continues to update processes to allow businesses and residents to get projects permitted and built faster. 

The latest tools and resources available include: 

1. Express Permits

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/economic-growth-cultural-vitality-five-ways-santa-monica-is-streamlining-permitting-processes-for-businesses-and-residents

Despite being ruled unconstitutional by a Superior Court judge, Santa Monica can continue implementing a State law that allows multi-family buildings on single family lots, City Attorney Doug Sloan said Friday.

While the April 22 ruling by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Curtis A. Kin applies to charter cities like Santa Monica, it "is not binding on any other party except those involved in the litigation," Sloan wrote in an update on Senate Bill 9 (SB9)

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2024/May-2024/05_03_2024_Santa_Monica_Can_Implement_Housing_Law_Ruled_Unconstitutional.html

At the April 11 meeting of the Santa Monica Rent Control Board, legislative advocate Brian Augusta presented key bills making their way through state government pertaining to rent control and tenant protection. 

Read More on page 1: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/050324.pdf

Meanwhile, Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez has begun pushing for new safeguards to ensure that projects submitted under the ED1 program do not result in the rapid demolition of rent-stabilized apartments in her Eastside district.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/affordable-housing-at-the-expense-of-existing-tenants-l-a-council-seeks-new-protections/ar-AA1o3ky8?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=92b2fbe0a41e483fa8ec1e3c07f9decf&ei=22

A monthly poll of "civically engaged" Santa Monica residents found that more than 80 percent oppose the construction of a $1 million per unit apartment building for the homeless.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2024/April-2024/05_01_2024_Monthly_Poll_Shows_Overwhelming_Opposition_to_%20Homeless_Housing_Project.html

 THURSDAY | MAY 2

Designed for owners and managers, this seminar will cover basics of the rent control law and your rights and responsibilities, how to use the CIVICS portal for online filing of registration forms, petitions and exemption applications and demonstrate filing a tenancy registration form. Begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. To sign up, visit: https://forms.office.com/pages/ responsepage