ACTION Apartment Association

Council calls for quicker action on May 31 report riots

09/01/2020 11:09 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City of Santa Monica will hire an outside agency to provide both a factual report and an analysis of decision making related to the police department’s handling of protests and riots earlier this year.

The community had expected the Santa Monica Police Department to release a factual, after-action report this month. However, the department said it was unable to produce the document due to a lack of manpower and a trio of councilmembers asked the full council to authorize a private company to expedite the report.

Santa Monica City Council Bars Leases if Less than a Year

08/31/2020 4:58 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Declaring they were "building community," the Santa Monica City Council voted on additional rules to try forcing out Airbnb-type rentals. Under the new law, landlords could not offer a lease for less than a year.

SMRR Backs Incumbents

08/31/2020 4:54 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR) -- the city's most powerful political organization -- backed 12 incumbents in the race for 14 open seats on the City Council and three local Boards at its convention Sunday.

City prepares for predicted rise in homelessness

08/31/2020 8:14 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City of Santa Monica and local homeless service provider The People Concern are bracing for a predicted rise in homelessness as the City’s eviction moratorium is set to expire next month. In response, the City has dedicated funds for its Rental Relief Program and is continuing its partnership with the People Concern to provide a wide range of homeless intervention and housing services.

California lawmakers to vote on bill after deal reached to prevent evictions

08/31/2020 7:43 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The state's ban on evictions during the coronavirus pandemic expires Tuesday, but Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers said Friday they've reached agreement on a bill that would protect tenants from eviction through January 2021 if 25% of rent is paid by tenants during that period.

Few LA County tenants skipping rent if they can pay

08/31/2020 7:40 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

But the new study — a deep dive into how renters are handling rent and finances during the health crisis — found that 95% of households without a job loss or that hadn’t contracted COVID-19 say they paid their rent.

New Leasing Requirements for Rental Units

08/29/2020 1:47 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

City officials approved new rules governing rental units that prevent landlords from offering leases less than a year in length.

The adopted ordinance states leases must be longer than 365 days and rental housing units cannot be furnished. Advertising any lease of a residential rental unit that does not comply with these requirements is also prohibited and violators will be subject to fines and penalties, according to the new ordinance, which was adopted by City Council Tuesday night

SM Police Chief Tries to Assure Public After Rumors of Local Looting Appear on Social Media

08/29/2020 1:46 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

I've been forwarded some FB posts from members of your community groups questioning possible events here in our city this weekend. I want to reach out and open lines of direct communication between us so we can work through this weekend together and keep our community informed.

Today, at 12pm, the Westside Chicano group has organized a march, which will start at 11:42am at 14th and Olympic and continue to Virginia Avenue Park, which they expect to reach by 1pm. The rally is expected to end at 3pm.

SMa.r.t. Column: What’s Shaking?

08/29/2020 1:43 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

While COVID-19 and the lockdown, social distancing and masks have been a primary concern that we all share, now is the time to look ahead to the upcoming elections, as campaigns are beginning to rise in the national consciousness. This election, we trust, will result in a new positive direction for us all. Similarly, here in Santa Monica we are also gearing up for our local elections, which will include five of the seven city council seats. Change is in the air.

Council Votes to Seek Consultant to Conduct Full Police Probe

08/29/2020 1:41 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Frustrated by delays, the City Council on Tuesday voted to authorize the quick hiring of a consulting firm to investigate the Police Department's response to the May 31 riots.