ACTION Apartment Association

Santa Monica Fights Over Taxes and City Hall Hiring

08/14/2020 10:42 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Election season is heating up in Santa Monica. The ballot is nearly complete, minus the SMMUSD board race that needs to be finalized for technical reasons.

Calif. Judges Vote To End Coronavirus Eviction Moratorium On Sept. 1

08/14/2020 10:29 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Judicial Council of California voted Thursday to lift the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures beginning Sept. 1.

In early July, Newsom signed an extension through Sept. 30 for an executive order which gives local governments the authority to halt renter evictions.

On July 21, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors extended a countywide ban on evictions for residential and commercial tenants through Sept. 30 as well. The moratorium was first put into effect in March, when the pandemic took hold. It applies to all local jurisdictions unless they have enacted their own moratoriums.

AND page 5 of: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/081420.pdf

Affordable Housing Coming to Historic Japanese American Building?

08/13/2020 10:27 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A historic building in Santa Monica with ties to the city’s Japanese community may soon include over 50 affordable housing units.

Nikkei Hall, located at 1413 Michigan Avenue...

Newest Councilmember Unopposed, Four Other Incumbents Face Crowded Ballot

08/13/2020 10:04 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Newly appointed City Councilmember Kristin McCowan will run unopposed in the race for a two-year seat, while the four other incumbents will face 17 challengers.

Council incumbents Gleam Davis, Ana Jara, Terry O'Day and Ted Winterer will run on November 3 for four open seats with four-year terms, according to the City Clerk, which posted the final list of candidates Tuesday evening.

Rent Control Board looking for a new lawyer

08/12/2020 10:41 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

"The Board will discuss the means by which it will recruit for a new General Counsel,” which is a position that acts as legal advisor and counsel for the Rent Control Board and Administrator.

Rent Control Board to meet Thursday

08/12/2020 10:37 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica’s City Council meeting was canceled this week but members of the city’s Rent Control Board are still expected to meet Thursday at 7 p.m. via live stream.

The first is a jurisdictional item relating to an appeal made by a landlord, who believes a local couple has been largely absent from their unit for several years so he would like to base the rent on market rates.

Curious City – KEEP US SAFE! Charles Andrews

08/12/2020 10:27 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Sunday, May 31, 2020. Has there been a worse day in our city’s history? Maybe, but not in the 34 years I’ve lived here. People were sitting at home watching it all unfold on TV, incredulous, in shock. Peaceful protest marchers (along with the few who weren’t peaceful) were attacked by our police with tear gas and rubber bullets, while massive looting downtown just a couple of blocks away went unchecked. So many family businesses destroyed, right before our eyes. Friends of mine in Spain saw it on TV there.

One-Third of Americans Failed to Make Housing Payments Again This Month, Survey Finds

08/11/2020 10:04 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

For the fourth straight month, about one-third of Americans failed to make a full housing payment in August, with one in five renters now owing their landlords more than $1,000, according to a nationwide survey.

The monthly survey by Apartment List of more than 4,000 tenants and homeowners also found that 32 percent of the respondents entered August with unpaid bills.

Two measures to appear on local election ballots

08/10/2020 9:24 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The General Municipal Election will be held in the City of Santa Monica on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and there are two prospective ordinances being proposed this year, according to city staff.

One of the two measures voters will decide on pertains to a tax on luxury properties. The measure asks if the City of Santa Monica shall increase the one-time real estate transfer tax paid on each property sale that’s worth $5 million or more by $3 for every $1,000 of the sales price before stating it will exempt affordable housing projects. The second measure residents will consider looks to enable City Council to advance equity-based hiring within the appointment and promotional processes in an effort to strengthen the City’s workforce, according to the language of the measure, which is available to see on smvote.org.

City Council, school and rent control candidates ready for November

08/10/2020 9:21 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

All but one of the local incumbents who are up for re-election this year will appear on ballots this November, meaning there will some stiff competition when voters go to decide who will hold one of the 13 seats available on City Council, School Board, Rent Control Board or the SMC Board.