ACTION Apartment Association

SMa.r.t. Column: Stop the Steroids

09/13/2021 7:41 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monicans face the usual fears of crime, Covid-19 and its collapsing job and housing impact including the coming eviction avalanche. Unfortunately, interest groups in Sacramento keep trying to monetize these crises by forcing cities and counties to amp up construction using a janga pile of dangerous new zoning regulations that are unnecessary and beyond financial and ecological sustainability. These financial interests, including financiers, realtors and construction unions want to cash out before the whole enterprise, fueled by federal debt, screeches to a halt.

New Blue-Ribbon Commission on Homelessness

09/08/2021 8:54 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The County Board of Supervisors have appointed former Los Angeles County Counsel Mary Wickham as Executive Director of the newly formed Blue-Ribbon Commission on Homelessness.

The Blue-Ribbon Commission on Homelessness was established following the July 27 motion authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, to research and provide recommendations to the Board for a new homelessness governance model that is appropriate for Los Angeles County.

Police oversight Commissioners object to temporary restriction of their powers

09/08/2021 8:52 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

“It’s overall an attempt to basically gut the Commission and prevent it from operating,” said Commission Chair George Brown in a Sept. 2 meeting. “It’s clear that the Santa Monica police union opposes civilian oversight. They’ve been trying to kill it behind the scenes for the entire time.”

Public Safety Commission Denounces City, Union Agreement

09/07/2021 9:54 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica's Public Safety Reform and Oversight Commission this week denounced a recent agreement between the City and police union, calling it a "gut punch" that "undermines" the group's work.

The agreement -- approved in closed session on August 24 -- bars the new commission from submitting written reports to the Council or making any recommendations on "police policies and practices" to the Council, police chief or city manager, according to a copy of the agreement.

SMa.r.t. Column: The Big Lie Just Got Bigger

09/06/2021 9:01 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

During the past several weeks, the State legislature approved two bills SB9 and SB10 that will destroy Santa Monica’s essential beachside character by eviscerating the R-1 (single-family home) zones and unleashing a densification demolition derby everywhere else. These bills are now awaiting the recall besieged governor’s signature. It will be interesting to see how and when he responds. These bills could be signed either to try to forestall his recall by repaying his realtor, construction union, and finance industry funders, or alternatively vetoed because of their immense unpopularity among residents and organizations such as Livable California, Neighbors United and among many local elected officials. If he fails to act in 12 days the bills are automatically approved. Your City Council has taken a position against an earlier version of SB9 but their current position is unclear.

Sharp, rapid increase’ in evictions as moratorium ends

09/02/2021 9:48 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Crunching data from the Census Bureau and landlord trade groups, Goldman estimated that roughly 2.5 to 3.5 million American households are behind on rent, with landlords owed as much as $17 billion.

Santa Monica Rents Continue Rising

09/01/2021 2:15 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica rents rose for the fifth month in a row, nearly doubling the rent increase posted for July, according to Apartment List's monthly report released Tuesday.

Rents in Santa Monica increased 3.3 percent -- compared to 1.8 percent in July -- exceeding the 2.1 percent rent hike for the nation.

Santa Monica Offers Help for Residential Tenants and Landlords Applying for State Rental Assistance

08/31/2021 9:59 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Help is available now for all Santa Monica residential tenants and landlords who need support in applying for $5.2 billion in rental assistance and $2 billion in utility assistance from the State of California through the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program (also commonly called “Housing is Key”).

Interim City Attorney George Cardona to step down Sept. 30

08/31/2021 9:56 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Interim City Attorney George Cardona announced his resignation on Aug. 27, becoming the latest in a series of pandemic-era leadership departures that include two city managers, a fire chief, police chief, library director and transportation chief.

Council discusses homlessness committee

08/31/2021 9:51 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Ultimately, Himmelrich decided to support Brock, and Council unanimously voted to create a committee staffed by Councilmembers Parra, Negrete and Brock. The ad hoc committee will work with the Social Services Commission and make recommendations for strategic investments to fight homelessness.