Three City Councilmembers are asking staff to explore ways to build more affordable housing in Santa Monica without relying mostly on market rate developers.

Mayor Sue Himmelrich and Councilmembers Kristin McCowan and Kevin McKeown have placed an item on Tuesday's agenda to explore building affordable housing on government and non-profit sites and to discourage commercial development sites where housing can be built.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/February-2021/02_18_2021_Councilmembers_Float_Ways_to_Build_More_Affordable_Housing.html

Join us at the February 23 City Council meeting to hear a comprehensive update and be part of finding new solutions to address homelessness in our community to ensure safe and clean public spaces for all. 

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/comprehensive-update-on-addressing-homelessness-in-santa-monica-planned-for-february-23-city-council-meeting

This year the annual event will air live on CityTV Channel 16 and be streamed on the City of Santa Monica’s YouTube channel on Feb. 24 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Registration is offered free to the community to encourage all residents to take part in the City’s economic recovery.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/local-leaders-to-discuss-the-road-to-recovery-at-2021-state-of-the-city-summit/202029

A recent poll of Santa Monica residents concerned with homelessness and crime suggests the overwhelming majority is dissatisfied with the early actions taken by the new City Council.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/February-2021/02_17_2021_Poll_Finds_Residents_Waiting_for_New_Council_to_Act.html

Local property owners are continuing calls for increased oversight on the Third Street Promenade to curb the growing number of individuals who camp out in public elevators and garages.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/property-owners-call-for-action-on-homelessness-ahead-of-next-weeks-study-session/201994

The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Santa Monica presents its annual, State of the City on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. from the Zoom podium.  

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2021/02/16/2021-state-of-the-city-our-community-road-to-recovery-summit

Santa Monica is taking a tougher stance against landlords who have ignored the eviction moratorium and aggressively tried to force out long-term tenants during the pandemic.

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2021/02/17/news/city-attorney-sues-sm-landlord-who-allegedly-tried-to-evict-long-term-tenants-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/5314.html

In December 2020, through a supplement to Santa Monica’s local COVID-19 emergency, Boards and Commissions were invited to resume their meetings through teleconference on a quarterly basis through June 2021. 

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/an-update-on-santa-monica-boards-and-commissions

Home values appreciated by about ten percent in 2020, and they're forecast to appreciate by about five percent this year. This has some voicing concern that we may be in another housing bubble like the one we experienced a little over a decade ago. Here are three reasons why this market is totally different.

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2021/02/15/real-estate/3-reasons-were-definitely-not-in-a-housing-bubble/5307.html

Since The We Are Santa Monica Fund was created in spring 2020, more than $1.1 million has been donated to the cause; and now, city leaders must determine how to equitably allocate the funding in the future.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/council-creates-we-are-santa-monica-fund-advisory-board/201960