ACTION Apartment Association

County Extends Eviction Moratorium

07/27/2020 9:06 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The County Board of Supervisors has voted unanimously to extend its eviction moratorium until September 30, 2020. The motion does not preclude the Supervisors extending the moratorium beyond September 30. Studies released over the last several months indicate that hundreds of thousands of County households could face eviction because of inability to pay rent caused by lost or reduced income during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supervisors Vote To Develop Ballot Measure

07/27/2020 9:05 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Board of Supervisors voted to direct County Counsel to draft an ordinance that would guarantee a baseline minimum threshold of 10% of locally generated (“general fund”) revenue to better address the needs of low-income residents in under-resourced communities. The ordinance is not a tax, and if approved by the Supervisors at forthcoming meetings, would appear on the November 3, 2020 ballot.

L.A. County CARES Act Spending Plan

07/27/2020 9:04 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Board of Supervisors has approved a $1.22 billion spending package to fund a broad range of essential services and relief measures to assist people and businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

The plan covers spending in four main areas:

$656 million for public health measures including testing and contact tracing

$200 million for financial support for residents in the form of assistance for rent relief, food and child care

$160 million in grants to support small businesses

$150 million to support the County workforce’s response to the emergency, including disaster services workers and personal protective equipment for employees

Public Safety Reform Committee: Listening Session

07/27/2020 9:02 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Join Santa Monica community members, members of the Public Safety Reform Advisory Committee, and members of City of Santa Monica staff on Thursday, July 30, at 7 p.m. for a community listening session.

Council to debate Plaza, ballot measure and parking restrictions

07/27/2020 9:00 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

After several weeks of council agendas filled with Covid emergencies, budget cuts and administrative items, the gears of local government are moving into high gear this week with an agenda heavy on substance.

Council will debate the future of a controversial development project downtown, a potential revenue ballot measure for the November election and a host of changes to local transportation rules.

Santa Monica Lawmakers' Bill Would Allow Housing on Commercial Land

07/25/2020 5:03 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A bill co-sponsored by a Santa Monica lawmaker that would allow housing developments with affordable units to be built on commercially zoned land is making its way through the Senate.

AB 3107, sponsored by Assemblymember Richard Bloom, was approved by the Assembly on June 10 and is currently in the Senate Housing Committee.

The bill, which is co-sponsored by San Francisco Assembleymember Phil Ting, is scheduled for a hearing next week, according to Bloom's office.

Council to Consider Ballot Measure Changing Hiring Rules

07/25/2020 5:03 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City Council on Tuesday will consider placing a measure on the November ballot that would diversity the City's workforce by making it easier to hire minorities and women.

The proposed measure would amend and repeal sections of the City Charter that guide civil service appointments and promotions, according to a staff report to the Council.

The Illusion of a California Housing Crisis Versus the True Need for More Infrastructure

07/24/2020 11:59 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The State Legislature has been working hard to attempt to squeeze 1.8 million more units of housing into the state before 2029 by producing at least nine land-use proposals this year, each of which either enable, incentivize, or require cities to build more densely. Specifically, these bills end single-family-home neighborhoods.

Goodbye, California Zoning Laws

07/24/2020 11:55 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Between the State Senate and the State Assembly, nine bills are under consideration that would drastically change the balance of power regarding land use and zoning in California. Each bill seeks to solve the state's "housing crisis" with attacks against local zoning ordinances, in particular those that restrict some areas to single-family homes.

Phil Brock and 20 Other Residents Pull Papers for Santa Monica City Council Seats

07/24/2020 11:53 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Twenty-two people as of Wednesday have pulled papers for potential campaigns for five open council seats. They have until August 7 to gather 30 signatures from Santa Monica residents to make their campaigns official.