ACTION Apartment Association

Santa Monica Issues 40th Emergency Supplement

09/30/2021 9:07 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

They include the suspension of water shutoffs for nonpayment of water bills and the adoption for enforcement of Los Angeles County public health orders.

They also include planning-related orders that set time limits on loud construction activities and extend deadlines for planning and permit-related activities.

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2021/09/29/santa-monica-extends-local-emergency-to-october-31-2021

More on Promenade

09/30/2021 9:00 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

As part of a long-term plan to transform the Promenade into a more vibrant, unique and experiential destination, City Council altered zoning ordinances to help bring a host of new business types to the Promenade.

The new permissible land uses include childcare services, pet stores, hotels, medical and dental offices, tattoo parlors, cinemas and theaters, convention centers and general personal services. The zoning changes also gives businesses more flexibility to utilize rooftop, second floor and alleyway spaces.

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2021/09/29/council-approves-more-flexible-zoning-for-third-street-promenade-to-fast-track-economic-recovery

New law counts ‘workforce’ apartments as meeting middle-income housing quotas

09/29/2021 10:11 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The measure, Assembly Bill 787, is expected to incentivize local governments to adopt an innovative “missing middle” program that converts market-rate complexes into middle-income housing in exchange for property tax breaks.

LA County extends limited eviction protections

09/29/2021 10:08 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

L.A. County Supervisors on Tuesday passed a motion that allows both tenants and businesses to have some type of limited legal defense.

"These protections don't prohibit evictions, I think it's important for people to understand. They essentially provide both residential and commercial tenants with a defense if your landlord files an eviction with the courts," says Kuehl.

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.