Extended rent moratoriums and the slow distribution of billions in federal rent assistance are driving many small landlords to call it quits.

“Nobody wants to become a landlord anymore,” said Diane Baird, executive director of the Lake Erie Landlord Association. “And we have very few new people entering into the business.”

Read More: https://www.ntd.com/protracted-rent-moratorium-forcing-small-landlords-out-of-business_659105.html

A report on the feasibility of housing homeless people in temporary cabins or camping sites in select Westside parks and beach parking lots — a suggestion that, in part,  stoked a recall effort against Councilman Mike Bonin — recommended against such operations at four proposed locations.  The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) recommended the city not pursue tiny homes or safe camping sites at Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades, at Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey, or at a privately owned lot at 5000 Beethoven Avenue in Del Rey. It also recommended against using part of the West LA Municipal Building for interim shelter.

Read More: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/081221.pdf

Eviction moratoriums are currently a complicated web of overlapping rules at the local, state and federal level but Santa Monica has proposed a $55,000 plan to inform everyone of the resources available to keep people housed and pay necessary bills.

Santa Monica households have filed 1,250 applications requesting $20,327,062 in funds so far. According to officials, 458 households had been served with $7,535,516 in paid assistance, averaging $16,453 per household.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/education-efforts-afoot-to-help-santa-monicans-claim-rent-relief/207400

California has $5.2 billion in federal funding to spend on rent relief for tenants who’ve fallen in debt to their landlords — but renters in the city of Los Angeles currently can’t apply for it.

The city stopped accepting rent relief applications in April, and it currently doesn’t have a clear timeline for reopening the program.

Read More: https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/los-angeles-rent-relief-hcidla-housing-eviction-erap-newsom

One of the region's most prolific apartment builders has sued the city of Los Angeles over its COVID-19 eviction moratorium, saying his companies have experienced "astronomical" financial losses and are legally entitled to compensation from the city.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/landlord-sues-la-for-dollar100-million-saying-anti-eviction-law-caused-astronomical-losses/ar-AAN7wo7?li=BBnbfcL

 Leading the fundraising charge is former Santa Monica Mayor and current State Assemblymember Richard Bloom, who has raised $501,575 and holds $479,400 in cash on hand; vying for the 3rd District seat currently held by Sheila Kuehl, who was elected in 2014 and has indicated she will not be running for a third term.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/former-sm-mayor-richard-bloom-leads-fundraising-in-board-of-supervisors-race/207330

Billed as the Third Street Promenade Stabilization and Economic Vitality Plan, DTSM spent six months utilizing input from a diverse range of stakeholders and the strategic insights of MIG planning firm to build this concept.

The plan seeks to modernize and elevate the Promenade as a dining, entertainment, and retail destination with a more diverse range of businesses and experiences that will appeal to both locals and visitors.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/promenade-revitalization-plan-includes-speakeasies-rooftop-dining-town-square-and-more/207328

Visiting Main St. several times each day of what was to be a test trial of closure to thru traffic revealed seemingly little increase in foot traffic, and not much activity in the middle of the street where some tables and benches were set up.  

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2021/08/sma-r-t-column-the-main-pain/

The statewide “CA COVID-19 Rent Relief” program (also commonly referred to as “Housing is Key”) is now open and taking applications to help income-eligible households with 100% of rent and utilities, for both past and future amounts owed. Santa Monica renters and property owners are urged to review income eligibility and apply today at housing.ca.gov or by calling (833) 430-2122. This rental assistance program, along with the statewide eviction moratorium, is intended to keep families housed, shield tenants from eviction, and help both landlords and tenants recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19. 

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2021/08/04/over-7-billion-in-state-money-is-available-now-to-pay-past-due-rent-and-utility-costs-for-santa-monica-renters-and-landlords

Programs for Landlords, Tenants, Homeowners and more.

See: https://housing.ca.gov/