“So that led me to start an organization called Santa  Monica Community Helpers (https://www. santamonicahelpers.org). And I want to say that I think that word ‘community’ is super important because that is a core idea to the mission statement, which is to bring a group of people around Santa Monica together to make a difference,” Camarena said. “I think we’re so much more powerful together and that’s really the basis of this organization.”

The goal of the helpers, according to Camarena, is to assemble a task force of volunteers across Santa Monica who will deliver groceries, medication, toiletries, and anything else that locals who are seniors or ill may need.

Read more on page 1 and 11: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/032320.pdf

Santa Monica put a temporary moratorium on evictions Saturday to prevent people financially impacted by coronavirus from losing their homes during the worst public health crisis in 100 years. 

One property manager didn’t get the message.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/property-manager-threatens-tenants-with-eviction-during-coronavirus-pandemic/188103

More businesses are closing due to the novel coronavirus at the same time that rent is coming due—and renters across Los Angeles are trying to figure out how to move forward.

What type of evictions are not covered under the moratorium?

The COVID-19-related protections only cover a very specific kind of eviction—for non-payment of rent stemming from a host of reasons related to the virus—but there are other types of evictions that aren’t covered.

Ellis Act evictions, for instance, which allow for landlords to clear out units or buildings to remove them from the rental market, are still allowed. At fault evictions are too. Some cities, including Santa Monica, have temporarily banned at-fault evictions. But the city of Los Angeles has not. Advocates including those at SAJE are pushing for expanded protections that include temporarily halting at-fault evictions.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/what-to-do-if-you-get-an-eviction-notice-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/ar-BB11tZ9S?ocid=hplocalnews

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered 40 million residents to stay in their homes as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to increase in Los Angeles.

On Thursday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a stay at home emergency order — ordering 40 million residents to stay inside their residences, and immediately limit all movement outside of their homes beyond what is absolutely necessary to take care of essential needs.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2020/03/santa-monica-residents-ordered-to-stay-at-home/

Santa Monica'a small landlords are asking the City to "share the financial burden" after the City manager issued an emergency order barring evictions for non-payment of rent during the coronavirus emergency.

The emergency order -- decreed Saturday by City Manager Rick Cole and amended Wednesday -- prohibits the eviction of residential or commercial tenants for nonpayment of rent if they can show they are unable to pay "due to financial impacts related to COVID-19."

Read More: http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/March-2020/03_19_2020_Small_Apartment_Owners_Ask_City_to_Share_Financial_Burden.html

SCAG is the county housing authority who, in sharp contrast to other cities, points to Santa Monica as being “shovel ready” to add 8,800 housing units – 20% to its population over the next 8 years. And in quick response, our “progressive” city council obediently jumps to the task – increasing height limits 2 stories, expediting project approvals by eliminating public and planning commission oversight, and ignores resident’s pleas to join adjacent cities in contesting this absurd dictum. Although there is no cost to appeal, the City Council has decided we are indeed “shovel ready,” a decision which will bury the city– our beachfront environment gone forever. Talk about runaway development – we’re opening the flood gates!

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2020/03/are-we-shovel-ready/

Tax collectors in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties all have issued notices saying they don’t have the power to waive the property tax deadline — even though tax offices are being closed to the public.

But local officials will consider waiving late fees on a case-by-case basis for those unable to pay on time because they are ill or out of work because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/despite-coronavirus-slowdowns-property-taxes-still-due-on-april-10/ar-BB11t2MK?ocid=hplocalnews

It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members.

Part-time workers will be paid the amount they typically earn in a two-week period.

Businesses and nonprofits will be reimbursed for the full amount within three months, in the form of a payroll tax credit. Program expires Dec. 31, 2020

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/who-qualifies-for-paid-leave-under-the-new-coronavirus-law/ar-BB11oZHL?li=BBnb4R7

Santa Monica put a temporary moratorium on commercial evictions Wednesday after local officials ordered many businesses to close Monday to slow the spread of coronavirus, evaporating revenue needed to pay workers, rent and utilities.

City Manager Rick Cole signed an emergency order Wednesday morning prohibiting landlords from evicting businesses through Apr. 30 if they have been financially impacted by coronavirus. The city also waived late fees on the taxes and fees it collects from businesses through the end of April.

Wednesday's supplemental order also suspends the removal of rental property from the market under the Ellis Act, which allows landlords of rent control buildings to go out of the rental business.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-extends-evictions-moratorium-to-businesses/187893

Santa Monica went into lockdown Monday as confirmed coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County continued to climb and employees in three Santa Monica offices tested positive for the virus.

Under emergency orders from local officials to slow the spread of COVID-19, schools, public buildings, bars, theaters, gyms and salons closed for two weeks, restaurants halted dine-in service and Santa Monica Pier shut down indefinitely for the first time in its history. The city of Santa Monica put a temporary moratorium on evictions for renters financially impacted by coronavirus and its impacts on businesses.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-shuts-down-as-coronavirus-spreads-regionally/187762