ACTION Apartment Association

City Attorney Sues SM Landlord

02/17/2021 8:38 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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.

Update on Santa Monica Boards and Commissions

02/17/2021 8:30 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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.

3 Reasons We're Definitely Not in a Housing Bubble

02/16/2021 8:25 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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.

Council creates We Are Santa Monica Fund advisory board

02/16/2021 7:58 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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.

New Bill to Suspend Annual Tax Payments for Small Business

02/15/2021 9:30 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

On February 12, Assembly Member Frank Bigelow introduced Assembly Bill 664 to suspend annual tax payments for small businesses. The bill would amend Sections 17935, 17941, 17948, and 19001, and add Section 19001.5 to the Revenue and Taxation Code. This measure contains an urgency clause and would take effect immediately upon enactment if passed by 2/3 of both houses of the Legislature.

Commission pushes ‘Right to Return’ proposal to Council

02/15/2021 9:25 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City of Santa Monica is looking to introduce a new policy that would allow historically-displaced residents a chance to return to the neighborhoods of their ancestors.

Earlier this month, local leaders called on the community to provide input on the possibility of adding a new “Right to Return” criteria to the city’s Below Market Housing program, a local initiative that provides Santa Monica residents and workers with apartments in the private sector at a rent that is lower than market rate.

State of the City

02/13/2021 10:00 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Santa Monica, will host the annual State of the City on Wednesday February 24th, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.

SMa.r.t. Column: The Promenade

02/13/2021 9:53 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

This week the City Council started discussing the next move for the Santa Monica Promenade, our beleaguered and onetime downtown city jewel. Beset by collapsing sales, contagious vacancies, safety and sanitation issues, the onetime city jewel has lost its luster.

Enhanced Tenant Protections During COVID-19

02/13/2021 9:46 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Tenants seeking protection must submit a declaration for each month that they are un-able to pay, and pay 25 percent of rent due for September 2020 – June 2021 by June 30, 2021. State law only protects tenants from eviction due to non-payment of rent. The City of Santa Monica also enacted an eviction moratorium for residential and some commercial tenants.

City Seeks Applicants for Police Oversight Commission

02/12/2021 7:45 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City is seeking candidates of "diverse backgrounds and experiences" to serve on Santa Monica’s first civilian police oversight commission.

Appointed by the City Council, the 11-member Public Safety Reform and Oversight Commission will work with the Police Department and experts to "recommend reforms to SMPD policies, practices, and handling of complaints regarding SMPD conduct," City officials said.