Santa Monica on Friday extended its coronavirus emergency orders, with some exceptions, through the end of next month as the County enters a less restrictive phase of its shutdown.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/March-2021/03_19_2021_Santa_Monica_Extends_Coronavirus_Emergency.html

Councilmember Oscar de la Torre sued the City of Santa Monica this month for barring him from Council meetings, discussions or decisions pertaining to the voting rights case.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/March-2021/03_19_2021_Councilmember_Sues_City_Over_Conflict_of_Interest_Decision.html

The second monthly "Santa Monica Pulse Survey" focused on specific issues the Council tackled over the past month, including homelessness and public safety and a temporary moratorium on commercial development.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/March-2021/03_18_2021_Latest_Resident_Poll_Shows_Mixed_Response_to_Council_Actions.html

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to explore enacting a rent freeze on residential units with expired or soon-to-expire affordability covenants like the one at Hillside Villa Apartments, which the city is hoping to purchase to prevent significant rent increases.

Read More: https://www.dailynews.com/2021/03/17/la-council-seeking-rent-freeze-on-apartments-with-expiring-affordability-covenants/

Economists say small property owners have been uniquely pinched by the pandemic as renters move out or stop paying. Despite a federally mandated mortgage forbearance and $2.6 billion in rental relief from the state, some landlords who slip through the cracks wonder how much longer they can absorb the costs.

Read More: https://calmatters.org/california-divide/2021/03/small-landlords-left-struggling-when-renters-stop-paying/

The City and Chamber of Commerce have established a loan program to help as many as 1,000 small local businesses recover from the coronavirus shutdown, officials announced Wednesday.

The SaMo Small Business Recovery Grant Program will provide up to $10,000 in "urgent rescue funds" to small businesses who are "struggling to survive."

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/March-2021/03_17_2021_City_Chamber_Launch_Grants_Program_for_Struggling_Businesses.html

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2021/03/17/city-and-chamber-of-commerce-launch-effort-to-support-small-business-grants

The application system, for tenants and landlords, went live Monday. Within the first 24 hours, more than 20,000 applications were started.

Read More: https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-03-15/california-covid-19-relief-program-applications-open

The community is invited to get involved through a survey and upcoming listening session.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2021/03/16/community-invited-to-take-survey-to-inform-city-manager-recruitment

Apply.

Read More: https://www.smgov.net/Departments/Clerk/Boards_and_Commissions/Public_Safety_Reform_and_Oversight_Commission.aspx

In a 4-3 vote following Dilg’s remarks, City Council chose addressing homelessness, creating a clean and safe Santa Monica, and pushing for an Equitable and Inclusive Economic Recovery as its top priorities for the upcoming biennial budget process.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/city-council-sets-priorities-ahead-of-budget-process/202917