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/

But Wiener kept pushing in pre-pandemic speeches for more aggressive attacks on the single-family zoning he appears to consider an abomination. Some of his message has seeped in.

The best evidence came when the city of Sacramento in January took the first step toward ending R-1 zoning within its boundaries. You could call the almost certain new zoning category R-4 because it would allow rebuilding or restructuring existing homes into up to four units on every lot in previously one-parcel, one-home areas.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2021/04/cities-chip-away-at-r-1-zoning/

San Francisco Democrat Senator Scott Wiener has tried for several years to end single family zoning laws to allow for dense “Stack & Pack” housing to replace single family homes.

Stack & Pack housing is very unpopular in most California cities

Read More: https://californiaglobe.com/section-2/sen-wieners-dense-housing-bill-passes-senate-committee/

Letter to the Editor

Regarding state imposed housing mandates (cobbled together in a backroom by unelected officials and completely unenforceable)…

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/letter-to-the-editor/161870

In an effort to help stem an expected "wave of evictions," City officials this week launched a program that gives free legal counsel to vulnerable tenants.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/April-2021/04_08_2021_Santa_Monica_Program_Helps_Vulnerable_Tenants.html

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2021/04/08/city-launches-pilot-right-to-counsel-program-to-help-santa-monica-tenants-facing-evictions