ACTION Apartment Association

New York City Deals Blow to Landlords

03/28/2024 8:15 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Some New York City landlords will be affected by the city's Rent Stabilization Law for another three years after Mayor Eric Adams extended the measure until 2027.

The legislation sets the rate landlords are permitted to increase rents by and has been in effect ever since it was originally enacted in 1969.

California insurance market ‘in chaos’ says former insurance chief

03/26/2024 1:09 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

With more California homeowners just discovering their insurance policies are getting canceled — and hundreds of thousands of others stuck with a pricey option of last resort — state Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s efforts to fix the home insurance market can’t come quickly enough.

Lara has introduced two main rules, with more to come. The first regulation, unveiled last month, aims to streamline rate reviews.

Feds want to study giving cash to renters, will Californians be included?

03/25/2024 11:04 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

by Cal Matters

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development is encouraging local housing authorities to experiment with giving cash directly to renters in pilot programs it wants to follow. It wants to know if this simplified method, which cuts down on red tape and puts more power in tenants’ hands, works better than its decades-old approach: a voucher system where money flows from the federal government, to the local housing authority, to the landlord’s pocket.

SM.a.r.t: ARB Courage (Part 1 of 2)

03/25/2024 10:56 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

On March 4, 2024, your ARB (Architectural Review Board) ruled in favor of the 521-unit Gelson’s Project at Ocean Park and Lincoln Blvd. This controversial project was fatally flawed from the beginning, and by the time the project got to the ARB, very little could be done to make it beneficial. The flaws built into it were so numerous they have been discussed at length in previous SMart (Santa Monic Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow) articles and also in public testimony and letters both at the ARB hearing and on social media. Because the ARB is the only venue where these monster projects typically still need to get a public review/approval, the ARB now has a particular responsibility and new increased relevance.

Split council votes to condemn County’s “Harm Reduction Services” program

03/22/2024 9:10 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Councilmembers Caroline Torosis, Davis and Zwick voted not to condemn the County’s program while Parra, Brock, De la Torre and Negrete voted to prepare and return a resolution expressing the City’s disapproval of the County’s implementation of the program within 30 days.

According to the agenda, the resolution “should reflect the City’s opposition to the program in Santa Monica, as it’s misguided and does not achieve the goal of reducing harm.

Council Chooses Developer for Affordable Housing Projects

03/22/2024 9:00 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City Council on Tuesday chose the Hollywood Community Housing Corporation (HCHC) to build 130 housing units for low-income and homeless tenants on three City-owned properties. Staff recommended HCHC for its track record (it has built more than 1,200 affordable units) and its familiarity with the city (its executive director, Sara Letts, headed the Community Corporation of Santa Monica).

City moves forward with plan to build affordable housing on three city-owned sites

03/21/2024 11:21 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The proposed projects, which ultimately will come back for final approval by the City Council, include approximately 130 units on three city-owned properties at 1217 Euclid Street, 1211-1217 14th Street and 1146 16th Street, in line with the city’s approved Housing Element.

Once built, the projects would serve individuals and families making anywhere from 30 to 80 percent of the Area Median Income, as well as people experiencing homelessness.

$2M to Bolster Safety on Lincoln Blvd., Improve Affordable Housing Access

03/21/2024 11:18 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Nearly $2 million will go toward additional safety features in neighborhoods along Lincoln Blvd. and enhancing two Santa Monica affordable housing programs after Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA 36th District) secured the federal funds, the congressman announced.

Santa Monica Should Not Give Special Treatment to Local 11

03/21/2024 10:07 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Why should the City of Santa Monica prioritize a labor union that's not based in the city, over peace and quiet for local taxpayers whose lives are disrupted by the union's antics?

Unlike Winterer's questions, this one is not rhetorical and the answer is clear: Santa Monica should not give special treatment to Local 11, which has only sought to make the city a less-attractive place to live and visit.

Are Emails Sent to the Santa Monica City Councilmembers Being Diverted - Or Possibly Deleted?

03/20/2024 12:02 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

John Alle, Special to the Observer

It is my understanding that over 18,000 letters sent over the last 6 months to individual Councilmembers and our Mayor have not been received. One Santa Monica Councilmember informed me and another constituent of such, and stated there was a so-called "black hole" in which constituent letters were placed. The same Councilmember told me that letters expressing opposition to the ongoing Needle Distribution Program had never been received.