ACTION Apartment Association

Tax on short-term rentals like Airbnb could fund California affordable housing

06/01/2023 11:40 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

California lawmakers are considering a measure this session that would tax short-term rentals to fund affordable housing projects, a proposal that has revived dormant tensions at the state Capitol over the rise of companies like Airbnb and Vrbo and their responsibility for the state’s constrained housing supply.

Senate Bill 584 by state Sen. Monique Limón, a Santa Barbara Democrat, would impose a 15% tax on short-term rentals — the homes and rooms that owners rent out like hotels for 30 days or less at a time — starting in 2025. This statewide surcharge, an addition to the local transient occupancy taxes that most communities already require, could generate an estimated $150 million annually to build or rehabilitate low- and middle-income housing.

Venice Non-profit’s Homeless Housing Bill Stalls In Senate

06/01/2023 11:38 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Last week, Senate Bill 7 (SB7) failed to advance in the Senate Appropriations committee. Introduced by Senator Catherine Blakespear from Encinitas and co-sponsored by Venice-based Safe Place For Youth (SPY), the bill would’ve mandated that California provide free, permanent housing for any homeless person currently in the state.

Santa Monica Rents Drop During Peak Moving Season

06/01/2023 11:09 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Following a brief two-month rise, rents in Santa Monica dropped by -0.9 percent in May and have fallen -0.4 percent so far this year, according to Apartment List's latest monthly report released Wednesday.

The drop over the first five months compares with a 5.1 percent rent growth during the same period last year, according to data compiled from listings on the popular rental website.

Campaign to expand rent control in California says 3rd time's a charm

05/30/2023 10:08 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Proponents of the Justice for Renters Act say they've gathered enough signatures to put it on the ballot in 2024

Crimes spike year on year

05/30/2023 9:55 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Crime, both serious and petty, has spiked by double digits this year according to the most recent reports from the Santa Monica Police Department that compare the first quarter of 2023 to the same time last year.

SMa.r.t. Column: Improving Santa Monica’s Future: A Resident-Oriented Master Plan

05/30/2023 9:49 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Improving Santa Monica’s Future: A Resident-Oriented Master Plan

Santa Monica, like many cities, requires a well-defined master plan to guide its future development and growth. A master plan is a comprehensive long-term strategy that outlines the city’s goals and objectives for various aspects of urban life, including land use, transportation, housing, infrastructure, and environmental protection. However, the extent to which such a plan has been implemented in Santa Monica remains a question worth exploring.

Why Santa Monica Needs a Resident-Oriented Master Plan

To make the case for a resident-oriented master plan in Santa Monica, let’s break down the specific reasons and raise important questions:

Homelessness Exacerbated by Santa Monica Rail and Bus System

05/30/2023 9:47 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

See Video: https://smmirror.com/2023/05/video-homelessness-exacerbated-by-santa-monica-rail-and-bus-system/

Santa Monica Ranked One of the Least Affordable U.S. Cities

05/30/2023 9:46 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City of Santa Monica was listed as the third least affordable city in the U.S. by WalletHub’s “2023’s Most Affordable Cities for Home Buyers”.

The website used several metrics graded on a 100-point scale to make the ranking. Those included housing affordability, maintenance affordability, cost of Homeowner’s Insurance, cost of living, real estate tax, rent-to-price ratio and vacancy rate. Santa Monica was ranked lowest for rent-to-price ratio and 239th lowest for housing affordability.

Pandemic-Induced Rent Debt Crisis Threatens Housing Stability

05/30/2023 9:43 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In the city of Santa Monica, it is estimated that there are 3,710 households behind on rent, a total of $14,310,000, with an estimated $3,900 of rent owed and 4,100 children in households with unpaid rental debt. Both West Hollywood and the city of Inglewood have estimated totals that are slightly less than Santa Monica, West Hollywood’s total estimated unpaid rent is $9,250,000 and Inglewood’s is $12,630,000. It is possible that those totals might be slightly less based on rental prices in the other areas, but the true reason for the discrepancy is not known.

LA County Runs Free Needle Distribution Program Across 7th Street From the Luxury Santa Monica Proper Hotel

05/25/2023 4:31 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A recent petition states that LA County is conducting a free needle distribution program in the 7 Eleven parking lot, across the street from the Santa Monica Proper Hotel. A luxury hotel, the Proper's rooms start at about $1,000 a night.

A petition to rid Santa Monica of the County of LA's distribution program has the signatures of at least one Santa Monica City councilmember, Phil Brock.