ACTION Apartment Association

SMa.r.t. Column: Santa Monica’s Precarious Business Plan

04/09/2021 8:50 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Picking up the financial pieces from the receding Covid-19 crisis, the City is simultaneously making incremental unresearched decisions that will have long lasting, significant, and likely unintended consequences on services, city amenities, cost of living, and quality of life and housing affordability across all the neighborhoods.

Santa Monica's Rent Control Market Remains Strong

04/09/2021 8:44 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

"In fact, newly registered rents show only a small reduction in the median initial rents for singles and 2-bedroom units. And, the median initial rents for 1- and 3-bedroom units were higher in 2020 than they were in 2019."

According to the report, the median rents for studios fell in 2020 from $1,950 to $1,895, or 2.8 percent, while the price of one-bedroom units rose 1 percent, from $2,450 to $2,475.

California Eviction Defense Program for Vulnerable Renters Bill Passes in Committee

04/08/2021 8:24 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Assembly Bill 1487, authored by Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills), would create a “Homeless Prevention Fund” that would be administered by the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission, a state bar run grant administration that funds nonprofit civil legal aid services.

Santa Monica Could Ban from Protests Items That Can Be 'Weaponized'

04/08/2021 7:42 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In an effort to curb violence, it could soon be illegal to carry poles, pipes, bottles, rocks and laser pointers at demonstrations held in Santa Monica.

Those items -- and others that can be "weaponized" -- would be banned under an emergency ordinance the City Council will consider Tuesday at the request of the Police Department.

LA County Offers Mortgage Relief Program to Help Property Owners

04/08/2021 7:33 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

If you fell behind on your mortgage, or are one of the homeowners who did not receive renters’ assistance during the pandemic, you might be able to benefit from the Foreclosure Prevention and Mortgage Relief Program.

AND: NHS | Foreclosure Prevention & Mortgage Relief Program (nhslacounty.org)

Landlords are waiting for rent payments

04/07/2021 9:00 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In interviews with The Times, property owners and managers said they understood the unprecedented nature of the crisis but that they are absorbing too much of the cost. Many said they or their clients are dipping into savings to keep properties afloat and delaying maintenance or repairs because they can’t afford them.

Some said they probably can’t or won’t hold on much longer under these circumstances.

Bonin proposes encampments on local beaches

04/07/2021 8:48 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A proposal by two Los Angeles city councilmen to set up temporary camps or “tiny homes” for homeless people in beach parking lots is drawing opposition.

Divided Council Approves Plan to Meet State's Affordable Housing Mandate

04/07/2021 8:33 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A split City Council voted last week to approve a plan that paves the way for building more than 6,000 new affordable housing units, including in exclusive single family neighborhoods.

Back to Normal? Charles Andrews

04/07/2021 8:30 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

HOUSING

Seems all you ever hear, for decades. Housing, housing, housing..“Affordable” housing. To preserve our diversity (what’s left of it). First of all, we don’t have a housing crisis here. We have an affordability crisis. And the Council/staff solution? Build our way to affordability. Ask any local real estate agent if that will work.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/040721.pdf