ACTION Apartment Association

UCLA: Nearly Half Of L.A. Tenants Owe Back Rent

07/30/2021 11:19 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In a new survey of Los Angeles County renters, 49% of households reported that they were unable to pay all of their rent during the pandemic. The study, by researchers from UCLA and the University of Southern California, found the median amount renters owe their landlords is $2,800.

City originally estimated to owe IRS over $3 million, settles with $116,416

07/30/2021 11:13 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

As a result of the City’s failure to issue tax forms to attorneys for certain settlement payments, an IRS audit sought over $3 million from the City, but is now resolving the issue with a $116,416 payment.

The Internal Revenue Service’s audit focused on the City’s settlement payments for years 2017 to 2019.

SMa.r.t Column: Promenade Progress?

07/30/2021 10:54 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

As we find ourselves approaching August, the question is what, if any, progress has been made on conceptual design and management improvements for one of our city’s significant assets, the Promenade, since our series of articles on these pages this past February.

Police Chief to Hold Public Meeting on Riot Report Monday

07/30/2021 10:50 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

On Monday, top police brass will hold a community meeting via teleconference to discuss the department's response to an after-action report on the May 31, 2020 riots.

The report by the OIR Group released in May found the Department was woefully unprepared and had no action plan or clear leadership.

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2021/07/29/smpd-invites-community-to-join-in-conversation-about-their-response-to-oir-group-report-on-august-2

City Council Prioritizes Housing for Historically Displaced Households

07/29/2021 9:36 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica City Council made changes to Santa Monica’s Affordable Housing Production Program and Housing Trust Fund that gives affordable housing waitlist priority to households displaced from Santa Monica in the 1950s and 1960s due to urban renewal policies.

Council Approves Contract with New City Manager

07/29/2021 9:03 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City Council on Tuesday approved a five-year contract with incoming City Manager David White that pays a base salary of $340,000 a year.

Council Approves Nepotism Policy for Boards and Commissions

07/29/2021 9:02 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Close family members of City Councilmembers will be barred from serving on Boards and Commissions under a new nepotism policy approved by the City Council Tuesday.

Part of an update to policies for boards, commissions and task forces, the nepotism policy -- which bars spouses, siblings, children and parents of Councilmembers -- ,will result in the resignation of Mayor Sue Himmelrich's husband, Housing Commissioner Michael Soloff.

Santa Monica Rents Rise for Fourth Straight Month

07/28/2021 9:20 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Rents in Santa Monica rose for the fourth straight month, but its year-over-year growth rate remains flat, according to a report released by Apartment List Tuesday.

Rents rose 1.8 percent over the past month, pushing the yearly rise since last July to 0.1 percent, the report found.

Santa Monica Ranks Among Worst Cities For First-Time Homebuyers

07/28/2021 9:18 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica is among cities ranked with the least affordable housing, where that big milestone just might be tougher to achieve compared to other cities in the U.S., WalletHub reports.

LA City Council Set to Pass Restrictions On Homeless Encampments

07/28/2021 8:03 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Los Angeles City Council Wednesday is expected to give final approval to an ordinance that would ban homeless encampments from certain areas of the city, including sidewalks.