On April 8, 2020, the City of Santa Monica issued a revised supplemental order that strengthens the City’s eviction moratorium in response to the deepening impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2020/04/08/santa-monica-broadens-its-temporary-eviction-moratorium

WHEREAS international, national, state, and local health and governmental authorities are responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus named “SARS-CoV-2,” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019,” abbreviated COVID-19, (“COVID-19”)

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/Media/Default/COVID-19/1b_-_Second_Revised_Supplement_1.pdf

Santa Monica on Wednesday expanded tenant protections during the coronavirus emergency and hiked the maximum fine for landlords who violate the City's tenant harassment ordinance.

The latest order issued by City Manager Rick Cole extends the moratorium on residential and commercial evictions for non-payment of rent to May 31, a deadline that could be extended.

Read More: http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/April-2020/04_08_2020_Santa_Monica_Further_Strengthens_Tenant_Protections_During_Coronavirus_Emergency.html

AND: https://smmirror.com/2020/04/santa-monica-broadens-eviction-moratorium-as-covid-19-count-surpasses-80/

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2020/04/08/santa-monica-broadens-its-temporary-eviction-moratorium

AND: https://www.smdp.com/city-of-santa-monica-broadens-moratorium-on-residential-and-commercial-evictions/189101

The City of Santa Monica today announces a new fund to provide local relief in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The We Are Santa Monica Innovation Fund (Santa Monica COVID-19 Relief Fund) will provide critically needed funds to organizations and the City to help in the following areas:

1. obtain necessary sanitation and medical supplies,
2. provide food to those experiencing food insecurity,
3. provide shelter to those in need, and
4. support volunteer relief efforts.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2020/04/09/announcing-the-we-are-santa-monica-innovation-fund

One quarter of U.S. tenants were unable to pay their April rents in full during the coronavirus emergency, with more than 10 percent making no payment at all, according to a survey by Apartment List.

Santa Monica landlords and property managers interviewed by The Lookout Tuesday reported few tenants were unable to pay their full rents ("Few Tenants Fail to Pay April Rent, Landlords Fear Numbers Will Rapidly Grow," April 7, 2020).

Read More: http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/April-2020/04_08_2020_Nearly_One_in_Four_Renters_Nationwide_Failed_t_Make_Their_Full_April_Payment.html

Both Governor Newsom and County public health officials have emphasized: This is the week to stay home! We know that the next few weeks are critical to slow the spread of the virus. We are adding our plea to our entire community: Stay home and limit all out-of-home trips! Our top health official Dr. Barbara Ferrer shared this week:

Read more on page 4: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/040820.pdf

In an expansive series of legislative efforts seeking relief for renters, homeowners, and commercial property owners during the COVID-19 pandemic, City Councilmembers Mike Bonin and David Ryu today co-introduced five pieces of legislation calling for an eviction moratorium, rent freeze in Los Angeles, as well as for state and federal action on rent and mortgage forgiveness.

Read More on page 3: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/040820.pdf

Santa Monica landlords fear the trickle of tenants who who failed to pay their April rent due to the economic fallout of the coronavirus crackdown could swell in coming months, straining their finances.

Landlords and property managers interviewed by The Lookout reported that few tenants so far have invoked a City moratorium on evictions for nonpayment of rent during the health emergency.

Wes Wellman, a Realtor and leader of ACTION Apartment Association, which represents several hundred small Santa Monica landlords, also said few tenants have failed to pay their April rent but that those numbers will likely grow.

Read More: http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/April-2020/04_07_2020_Few_Tenants_Fail_to_Pay_April_Rent.html

Before coronavirus hit, the city of Santa Monica was already facing a projected $2 million budget shortfall this year and an annual deficit of up to $74 million by the end of the decade, mostly due to rising pension costs and flattening revenues.

With most businesses shut down through at least the end of April and economists predicting a months-long recession, the city’s General Fund could suffer deeper losses.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/economic-impacts-of-coronavirus-shrink-city-of-santa-monica-revenues/188921

Temporary moratoriums on evictions in Santa Monica and other Southern California cities have left both renters and landlords questioning how tenants will be able to make up rent they couldn’t pay during the coronavirus pandemic.

Santa Monica renters may not be evicted during the crisis for not paying rent if they provide documentation showing that they have lost income due to COVID-19 or its economic impacts. After the city lifts its local emergency proclamation, tenants must pay any unpaid rent within six months. In Los Angeles, renters have one year to repay.

But organizations representing renters and property owners doubt that renters will be able to make up rent in a year’s time, let alone six months.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/tenants-and-landlords-doubt-whether-rent-deferred-by-coronavirus-can-be-repaid-within-six-months/188919