ACTION Apartment Association

SM.a.r.t Column: Part 1: The Affordability Crisis: Unmasking California’s RHNA Process and Its Role in Gentrification

08/26/2024 9:11 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In the world of economic policy, good intentions often pave the way to unintended consequences. Nowhere is this more evident than in California’s approach to its housing crisis through the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process. What began as a well-meaning attempt to address affordability has morphed into a textbook example of misguided intervention, with potentially dire consequences for the very people it aims to help.

Homeless Housing, Needle Distribution on Council Agenda

08/26/2024 9:07 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Members of City Council's Change faction, which is trying to hang on to a slim majority in November's general election, have placed three items on Tuesday's agenda that address the hot-button homeless issue.

Two of the items are efforts to eliminate the County's needle exchange program in City parks, while a third seeks to replace a supportive housing project for the homeless with a senior building.

Construction in the city continues unabated as 1650 Lincoln slowly rises

08/22/2024 9:25 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The largest and most significant of which is undoubtedly 710 Broadway, the former site of the Vons supermarket. But rapidly catching up is 1430 Lincoln Blvd, 1527 Lincoln Blvd and 711 Colorado Ave.

Proposed New Ordinance Will Ban Distribution of All Drug Paraphernalia from Santa Monica's Public Spaces

08/22/2024 9:21 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica City Councilmember Oscar de la Torre intends to sponsor legislation that will close a loophole in a May ordinance that defunded third-party contractors like the Venice Family Clinic if they distributed needles and drug paraphernalia in the city's public parks. The original language of the ordinance that was passed 6-1 was changed to include only needle distribution and removed reference to "other drug paraphernalia." Accordingly, VFC began distributing glass pipes instead of needles.

Who Qualifies for Santa Monica's New 'Supportive Housing' Projects?

08/22/2024 9:13 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In two blog posts on the City's website this month, Santa Monica's top housing official, Heather Averick, noted that an individual must meet at least one of four criteria to qualify.

They must have lost their housing in Santa Monica, worked in the city when they lost housing, been homeless in the city for at least five years or are a "high utilizer of City services."

A City at a Crossroads: The Choice for Santa Monica’s Future

08/20/2024 9:22 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

by Houman Hemmati MD PhD, Santa Monica

But if you’re tired of seeing our beloved city deteriorate and want a change—if you want safer parks, fewer crimes, more businesses, and common-sense governance— then your choice is clear. Vote for Mayor Phil Brock, Councilmember Oscar de la Torre, Dr. Vivian Roknian, and John Putnam. They are the candidates who will restore safety, dignity, and opportunity to our vibrant, diverse community.

Why California should reject ballot measure easing bond votes

08/19/2024 10:30 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

by Cal Matters

In November, California voters will decide the fate of Proposition 5, which would make it easier for local governments to borrow money for housing and various public infrastructure projects. Below, a taxpayer watchdog says Prop. 5 will essentially let governments increase property taxes whenever they want.

Here's Why to Vote No on Proposition 33

08/19/2024 10:20 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

There is one statewide proposition on the California November 2024 ballot that I am very concerned about. It is Proposition 33, which enables extremely restrictive rent controls on a state-wide basis. These Proposition 33 proposed rent controls, including homes, condominiums, as well as multifamily complexes, could turn California into a nightmare scenario like NYC after WWII or Santa Monica or West Hollywood for the period of 1978-1995. Proposition 33 would restrict your right to rent your home or condominium, as well as freeze the rents on apartments to the prior level when they vacate.

SM.a.r.t Column: They Want to Build a Wall

08/19/2024 10:15 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Every once in a while, a topic arises that we had previously written about but doesn’t seem to go away. The Miramar condo/hotel project is such an example. With recent coastal commission approvals and no push back from the City in terms of reduction in scale, etc., and the project looming on the horizon, we thought our readers might want to re-visit our opinion column from 27 April 2018, more than six years ago, and we find, with the information at hand, our opinion and observations have remained the same.

Ballot Shrinks as 10 Qualify for Council, Two Races Canceled

08/19/2024 10:10 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The two candidates for Rent Board -- incumbent Kay Ambriz, who was appointed to the Board in June, and Phillis Dudick -- will assume seats on the five-member board after the number of candidates submitting nominating petitions equaled the number of open seats.

Mayor Phil Brock and Councilmember Oscar de la Torre, who are members of the Council's 4 to 3 Change majority, will be joined by newcomers Dr. Vivian A. Roknian and John Putnam, who are backed by Santa Monicans United (SMU), a newly formed group focused on public safety.