ACTION Apartment Association

A bill would allow a duplex on most single-family parcels

08/27/2020 9:42 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The California Assembly is considering a bill that would require local governments to permit duplexes on parcels now largely restricted to one house, in effect eliminating single-family zoning that dominates in most suburban residential neighborhoods.

The measure, Senate Bill 1120, is pitched as a way to ease a long-running housing shortage that has hammered low- and middle-class families throughout California but is drawing criticism from homeowners concerned it will fundamentally change their neighborhoods.

Santa Monica Council Approves Measures to Spur New Housing

08/27/2020 9:16 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In an effort to tackle a statewide housing crisis, the City Council on Tuesday barred Santa Monica housing units from being rented for commercial use and fast-tracked new affordable housing Downtown.

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2020/08/26/city-council-approves-slate-of-housing-preservation-and-production-measures

Santa Monica Accepting Applications for New Senior Building

08/27/2020 9:12 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City of Santa Monica is accepting applications for a 38-unit affordable senior building currently under construction in the Pico Neighborhood.

The Community Corporation building at 1820 14th Street offers one-bedroom apartments ranging from $538 to $1,214 per month, depending on household income, City housing officials said.

Applicants who live or work in Santa Monica will receive priority on the waiting list for the new Greenway Meadows development, officials said.

LETTERS -- City's Crackdown on 'Super Spreader' Gatherings Turns Landlords Into Police

08/27/2020 9:11 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

I find myself forced to respond to Santa Monica's crackdown on "super spreader gatherings" ("Santa Monica Cracks Down on 'Super Spreader' Gatherings," August 25, 2020).

As a housing provider, real estate Broker, former elected official and property manger in California we have tremendous responsibilities and are obligated by federal, state and local laws to be blind when it comes to providing, selling and leasing housing.

Now we are being forced with our hands tied and watched over by zealous, aggressive local City attorneys to police the actions of our tenants.

Affordable Housing Opportunity for Seniors

08/26/2020 8:30 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Community Corporation of Santa Monica will soon complete the construction of a new building at 1820 14th Street that will provide 38 one-bedroom apartments for seniors in Santa Monica. The development received a $10 million investment from the City of Santa Monica in 2017 and will provide apartments across a mix of income levels, with rents ranging from $538 to $1,214 per month, depending on household income.

Landlords need to stop whining

08/25/2020 12:56 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

And yet, the powerful and well-funded California Apartment Assn. and California Chamber of Commerce have come out against the last anti-eviction bill standing. AB 1436 from Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco) would prohibit the removal of renters who miss payments for either until 90 days after the COVID-19 state of emergency ends or April 2021, whichever occurs first.

Why We Decided to Withdraw from the Race for City Council

08/25/2020 10:12 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Andrew Browning and Dominic Gomez

After much thought, the two of us have decided to withdraw from the race for Santa Monica City Council.

We withdrew because it became clear that the best way to affect change in Santa Monica was to consolidate the number of candidates challenging the incumbents, incumbents who have overseen the rapid decline of our city.

Only Four Council Candidates to Vie for SMRR Endorsement

08/25/2020 10:10 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Only four of the 15 candidates actively running for a full term on the City Council will seek the backing of Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR) at the powerful group's convention this month.

Incumbents Gleam Davis, Ted Winterer and Ana Jara, and Planning Commissioner Mario Fonda-Bonardi will seek the SMRR endorsement in the race for four open four-year seats at the tenant group's online convention August 30.

Out of the running are incumbent Terry O'Day and School Board member Oscar de la Torre, who failed to notify SMRR by August 8 that they was seeking the group's endorsement.

Santa Monica Cracking Down on Parties

08/25/2020 10:09 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Organizers of parties in Santa Monica face fines of up to $1,000 and loss of utilities under action taken by officials this week.

On Tuesday, Interim City Manager and Director of Emergency Services Lane Dilg issued a twenty-fourth supplement that allows enforcement against previously prohibited large gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2020/08/25/santa-monica-explicitly-prohibits-large-gatherings-and-extends-local-emergency-to-september-30

Council to debate new rent restrictions

08/24/2020 10:10 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

City officials are proposing new rules governing rental units that would discourage or outright prevent landlords from offering leases of less than a year in length.

Under the new rules, rent controlled leases would have mandatory minimums of one year while market rate landlords would be required to offer one-year leases unless the tenant requested a shorter length of stay.