ACTION Apartment Association

Council to Consider Barring Lobbyists From Boards and Commissions

07/09/2021 9:08 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Councilmembers Phil Brock and Christine Parra placed an item on the agenda that would direct staff to craft an ordinance similar to one already in place in Beverly Hills.

The ordinance would "more precisely defines what constitutes a lobbyist/legislative advocate" and "precludes any member of a board, commission, or task force from simultaneously acting" in those roles, according to the agenda item.

Council to Consider 'Right to Return' Program

07/08/2021 10:47 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Black and Latino households or their descendants displaced by urban renewal projects in Santa Monica in the 1950s and 60s could soon be given priority for affordable housing.

The City Council on Tuesday will consider a pilot "Right to Return" program that would place as many as 100 "historically displaced households, including children and grandchildren" in line for City-funded and inclusionary housing.

Low-Cost Housing? State Keeps Ignoring the New Realities

07/08/2021 10:45 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Because many of those companies are delighted to let employees stay home post-pandemic, thus cutting their real estate costs, billions of square feet of former office space are now vacant, most of it likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future.

Santa Monica Commissioners Consider Rezoning Neighborhoods

07/07/2021 8:12 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

According to the SantaMonicaDailyPress, Commissioners discussed “creating a program that would allow up to 3 units to be constructed in R1-zoned parcels in the areas of 7th and 14th Streets between Montana Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard and 26th Street between Wilshire and San Vicente Boulevard.”

SMa.r.t. Column: A Meeting of Two Worlds

07/07/2021 8:08 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

While the pandemic has devastated local businesses, slashed the city’s finances, increased homelessness and threw the city’s focus into chaos, we remain a place with deeply-embedded resources which, for most folks, have been flying under the radar in our community. These have taken root here for many years, but have received little or no attention from our city’s business leadership, political structure or city management. The result is a disconnect between many of those who prosper here, and those who could benefit from effective government action–and this includes most residents and businesses.

Governor signs short-term extension of COVID-19 eviction moratorium

07/06/2021 11:43 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Gov. Gavin Newsom has approved a three-month extension of California’s COVID-19 eviction moratorium.

Passage of AB 832

07/06/2021 9:23 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Coauthored by Assemblymember Bloom, AB 832 extends the statewide eviction moratorium through September 30, while simultaneously providing financial relief to struggling tenants and their affected landlords.

Fallout from Venice homeless crisis hits local beaches

07/02/2021 9:26 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Venice homelessness crisis is spilling over into Santa Monica this week with an increase in unhoused individuals setting up on local beaches.

Several agencies that work with the local homeless population have reported more people living on the streets near the south end of the beach in recent days and the spike in homelessness comes as a Los Angeles officials begin to tackle the recently overrun Venice Boardwalk.

Santa Monica Rents Continue Rising, Report Finds

07/01/2021 11:00 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Rents in Santa Monica rose at a higher rate in June than they did in neighboring Los Angeles, as well as the nation at large, according to a report released by Apartment List this week.

Santa Monica rents increased by 3.6 percent over the past month, compared to an average of 1.4 percent for Los Angeles and 2.3 percent nationwide, according to the monthly report.

LA supports new plan for stricter limits on homeless camps

07/01/2021 10:34 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Los Angeles City Council voted on a proposal Tuesday that asks the city's attorneys to draw up laws that would limit where homeless people can camp in public spaces.