ACTION Apartment Association

Promenade 3.0 in Review

09/29/2021 9:54 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

But the current bleak scenario does create a window of opportunity for a “new deal.” After reviewing the Promenade 3.0 presentation as a whole, its themes for a reinvention and new vision are both exciting and lofty goals for change, but this needs to be followed up with a realistic step-by-step direction with a strategically defined implementation plan.

Over $14 million in State Rental Assistance Funds Paid to Santa Monica Households

09/29/2021 9:39 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

According to the City of Santa Monica, applications are still being accepted, and Santa Monica tenants and landlords are encouraged to apply before the state eviction moratorium expires on September 30, 2021.

Santa Monica Rents Tick Up in September

09/29/2021 8:12 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Rents in Santa Monica rose slightly in September, marking the ninth straight monthly increase, according to Apartment List's latest report released Tuesday.

Bloom's Bill to Ensure Housing Compliance Becomes Law

09/29/2021 8:11 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The new law, which takes effect January 1, comes as an increasing number of cities has been objecting to State housing mandates they consider unrealistic.

Under the allocation finalized in March, Southern California must plan to build 1,341,827 new housing units by October 2029. Santa Monica's quota is 8,895 new units, 6,168 of them affordable.

House America Initiative

09/28/2021 8:14 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

House America is a national partnership in which HUD and USICH invite mayors, county leaders, Tribal nation leaders, and governors to use the historic investments provided through the American Rescue Plan to address the crisis of homelessness through a Housing First approach by immediately re-housing and building additional housing.

Newsom passed two controversial housing bills

09/28/2021 8:10 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

SB 9 allows owners to build duplexes on lots currently zoned as single-family housing and also offers the option to split lots into two. This ultimately gives owners the ability to build four housing units on a property currently limited to one house.

SB 10 gives jurisdictions the option to upzone land parcels near to transit to allow up to 10 units to be built per parcel. Neither bill has requirements that any of the newly constructed units be affordable.

The eviction moratorium is expiring

09/27/2021 11:56 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

After 13 months and two extensions the State eviction moratorium is expiring in a matter of days, on Sept. 30.

This means that if a tenant does not pay their rent owed for October and onwards, landlords will be able to pursue eviction proceedings.

So long as tenants have submitted monthly “COVID-19 related financial distress” forms they can never be evicted for rent owed between March 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2021. However, once the moratorium expires landlords can decide to pursue this back rent as consumer debt in a small claims court.

Promenade 3.0 in Review-SM.a.r.t.

09/24/2021 4:47 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

But the current bleak scenario does create a window of opportunity for a “new deal.” After reviewing the Promenade 3.0 presentation as a whole, its themes for a reinvention and new vision are both exciting and lofty goals for change, but this needs to be followed up with a realistic step-by-step direction with a strategically defined implementation plan.

Santa Monica Could Join in Challenge to State Housing Mandates

09/24/2021 4:44 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The three "Change" Council members will test their political clout on Tuesday with a vote on whether to take steps to challenge the State's housing mandates for Southern California.

An item placed on the agenda by Councilmember Phil Brock calls for the Council to request that a group representing Westside governments join a lawsuit against the State filed by their Orange County counterparts.

Deadline Looms to Apply for Rental Assistance

09/24/2021 4:43 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica officials are encouraging renters and landlords to apply for financial assistance with rent and utilities before the State eviction moratorium ends September 30.

So far, more than 867 Santa Monica households have received over $14 million in state rental assistance, officials said.