The entire top-down, governmentally directed placement of number and types of housing in the region is doomed to failure. No one entity, no matter how allegedly expert, can determine the best way to allocate any sort of commodity. In fact, top-down commodity allocation is the absolute worst, least efficient, most costly method and invariably results in the worst possible outcome. Should the city proceed with their plan to build - at public expense - "affordable housing" on Montana Avenue and Main Street, historically small, residential neighborhoods, they will kill the atmosphere, physical and economic, of those neighborhoods.

Read More: https://www.culvercityobserver.com/story/2021/04/15/opinion/time-to-move-out-of-santa-monica/10025.html

The long awaited hearing of Malibu’s petition to form its own school district played out Saturday as a well choreographed recitation of entrenched arguments and opinions. 

County officials asked no questions of the two sides in the weekend hearing and instead received presentations of equal length before taking exactly one hour of public comment from proponents and opponents of the proposition. 

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/discussion-but-no-decisions-at-county-meeting-on-school-split/204039

The Santa Monica and state eviction moratoriums are scheduled to expire on June 30, and while non-payment evictions may soon resume, there are many resources available to help tenants stay housed.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/the-eviction-moratorium-is-ending-soon-and-tenants-should-be-aware-of-their-rights/203975

Santa Monicans today understand there is a titanic struggle going on for the heart and soul of their City. And it’s not the first time this has happened.

The battle manifests itself in infinite ways from the shortage of affordable housing, to the drought, to relentless gridlock, to the collapse of the City’s budget, to scary public pension overhangs, to institutional racism, to deadly air pollution, and to countless other friction points. This battle has not abated during the pandemic, which worsened all pre-existing problems such as, for example, the collapse of our retail activity because Amazon was already completely killing local businesses. Add to this the life and death struggle of our homeless crisis and crime increases, and we have a City struggling both for its life and its identity. 

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2021/04/sma-r-t-column-history-repeats-itself/

The proposals were among 26 projects that were given the go ahead to move forward through SCAG’s Regional Council as part of its 2020/2021 Sustainable Communities Program (SCP). The Santa Monica proposals fell in two of the three categories “advancing implementation of Accessory Dwelling Units” and “establishing objective development standards for streamlined housing, along with Prohousing Designation Programs and parking innovations.”

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2021/04/state-funds-two-additional-sustainable-housing-proposals-in-santa-monica/

 The City Council on Tuesday voted to use most of its $29.3 million in federal recovery funds to tackle homelessness, reopen facilities and provide rent relief to Pier and non-profit City tenants.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/April-2021/04_15_2021_City_Council_Allocates_More_Than_29_Million_in_Federal_Recovery_Funds.html

Santa Monica City Council provided initial direction on how to allocate Santa Monica’s $29.3 million in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provided through the American Rescue Plan (ARP).  Council directed stimulus funds to support community economic recovery, including recovery for City non-profit and Pier tenants, as well as to address homelessness and provide community services, including reopening City facilities and services when permitted by public health orders.  Additional direction will be provided when Council meets for its FY 2021-23 Biennial Budget Study Session on May 25.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2021/04/14/council-directs-initial-american-rescue-plan-act-funds-to-support-rent-abatement-for-city-tenants-and-community-priorities

On March 22, Lee introduced AB 854, which was co-authored by Bloom and strives to end the speculator eviction loophole of the Ellis Act by requiring landlords own property for at least five years before invoking the act.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/rent-control-board-supports-assemblymember-blooms-legislation-to-deter-ellis-act-evictions/203817

A former City Councilmember, a retired Santa Monica police department veteran and four City commissioners are among the 53 applicants vying for nine seats on the new police oversight commission.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/April-2021/04_12_2021_52_Residents_Apply_for_Police_Oversight_Commission.html

Take a look at a collection of Westside properties that a LA lawmaker is proposing bringing homeless shelters to...

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2021/04/edify-tv-a-look-at-a-proposed-westside-homeless-shelter-locations/