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

As job loss claims hit record-highs, more and more Californians will be dealing with a loss of in-come and their health insurance coverage. Covered California and MediCal are providing a path to coverage for those affected by this pandemic.

Covered California recently announced a special-enrollment period related to the crisis. Anyone who meets Covered California’s eligibility requirements, which are like those in place during the annual open-enrollment period, can sign up for coverage from now through June 30.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/lost-your-job-and-health-coverage-because-of-coronavirus-covered-california-is-here-to-help/188926

by Rick Cole

Our City government is focused on four key responsibilities during this unprecedented public health emergency:  

• Enforcing the “Stay at Home” emergency orders from the State, LA County, and Santa Monica to protect lives by slowing the spread of COVID-19 
• Providing essential city services while responsibly protecting the health of our workforce 
• Mitigating the profound economic, social and environmental impacts of this crisis on our community residents and businesses 
• Laying the foundation for a collaborative recovery effort to build a more resilient, equitable and sustainable future for our community 

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/Rick-top-recent-covid-questions-answered

Supporters of a proposed amendment to the California Constitution that would raise property taxes on some businesses by up to $12 billion a year announced Thursday they have collected more than 1.7 million signatures, all but assuring it will appear on the November ballot.

Read More on page 2: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/040320.pdf

While most city of Santa Monica employees are working from home during the coronavirus pandemic, some services still need people out in the field and are adapting their operations to protect workers and residents.

In interviews with the Daily Press last week, city leaders said first responders are wearing personal protective equipment when necessary, monitoring their health and preparing for the lockdown’s possible consequences on public safety.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/city-services-adapting-to-new-reality/188714

Santa Monica issued an order Wednesday authorizing the City’s Building Officer to shut down construction work on projects that fail to follow social distancing and hygiene requirements.

The order issued by City Manager Rick Cole requires installing handwashing facilities or hand sanitizer at entrances to construction projects and sanitizing shared tools and equipment at the sites.

Read More: http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/April-2020/04_01_2020_City_Orders_Construction_Projects_to_Follow_Coronavirus_Protocols.html

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2020/04/01/local-construction-sites-must-observe-safer-at-home-orders

by Rick Cole

It’s been eleven days since Governor Newsom’s “stay at home” order went into effect – and we are all adjusting to the new normal. No one knows how long this will last, but it seems like it will be at least a month under these – or even harsher – restrictions. 

I can’t emphasize enough the gratitude I have for everyone who is doing their part by staying home. 

Life has changed dramatically for Santa Monica, as it has across Southern California.  

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/our-new-normal-at-home

What you need to know if you’re a renter in California during the coronavirus pandemic .

The pandemic and the economic devastation it has caused have led many renters to wonder how they’re going to pay rent on April 1 — after weeks of being asked to stay home and, in some cases, not work to slow the spread of the virus.

From eviction bans to mortgage relief, here’s a guide to protections for renters and homeowners in California.

Read More: https://www.latimes.com/homeless-housing/story/2020-03-30/