ACTION Apartment Association

Santa Monica Council Poised to Approve Major Development at Fred Segal Site

05/06/2016 12:35 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

May 5, 2016 -- A seven-story development replacing the old Fred Segal shopping complex in downtown Santa Monica goes to the City Council Tuesday, possibly the last project tied to a way of doing business at City Hall that inspired the wrath of slow-growth advocates.

HUD Vouchers in Santa Monica Increased to Help Needy

05/06/2016 12:33 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

May 5, 2012 -- Coping with a crippling shortage of affordable housing, Santa Monica officials finally have some good news, courtesy of the federal government.

HUD vouchers that subsidize most of the cost of rent for the poor are being hiked significantly in the city to help match soaring market rates, said Jim Kemper, the City's housing administrator.

Santa Monica to Require Solar Rooftops on New Buildings

05/06/2016 12:32 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

May 4, 2016 -- At the end of the month, Santa Monica will start requiring solar rooftops for all new buildings, becoming the fourth municipality in California with such a law on the books.

Ex-homeless man’s living space divides property owner, Santa Monica

05/06/2016 12:25 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

It was an old laundry room that wasn’t being used, and Rachel Sene figured it could do some good.

Years ago, she had run into a man she knew who said he was homeless and sleeping on the streets of Santa Monica. The local property owner was taken aback by his status update, and she felt she was in a position to help.

Increased support for rental subsidies

05/04/2016 7:17 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

As the cost of housing continues to increase, Santa Monica’s most at-risk renters got a little help from the Federal Government last week.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agreed to significantly increase the value of housing subsidies under the Housing Choice Voucher program, formally known as Section 8, that provides aid to low income renters such as seniors, families and individuals with disabilities

Organizers for Santa Monica LUVE Initiative Say Signature Goal Met

05/04/2016 7:10 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

May 3, 2016 -- Organizers for a proposed initiative that could sharply cut new development in Santa Monica announced Monday they have collected 10,000 signatures, far more than needed to help earn LUVE a spot on the ballot in November.

Increased support for rental subsidies

05/03/2016 7:12 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

As the cost of housing continues to increase, Santa Monica’s most at-risk renters got a little help from the Federal Government last week.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agreed to significantly increase the value of housing subsidies under the Housing Choice Voucher program, formally known as Section 8, that provides aid to low income renters such as seniors, families and individuals with disabilities.

All LUVED Up and Ready to File - 10,000 Signatures: LUVE is Go

05/02/2016 1:25 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Residocracy-backed Land Use Voter Empowerment (LUVE) initiative is being bundled up and prepared to file with the City of Santa Monica, following a city-wide grassroots campaign that saw 10,000 signatures garnered within the allotted time frame.

How LUVE gives a voice to Santa Monica residents

04/30/2016 2:32 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

It was heartening to hear the city manager speak of the essential value in preserving the history and identity of our city. Cole went on to say, “Let’s work together to retain the support of all the residents…” Cole’s words spoke to the need for residents to buy in to the future development of Santa Monica. The Land Use Voter Empowerment (LUVE) initiative is important for the future of Santa Monica because the voters, the residents, must have a voice in the responsible growth and destiny of our town.

New Santa Monica Payment Standard and HOUSE Program

04/28/2016 6:15 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City of Santa Monica Housing Authority (SMHA) now has stronger tools to assist tenants with obtaining affordable housing.

Santa Monica rents have increased well above Federal program limits, making rental assistance vouchers noncompetitive in the housing market. In response, the SMHA sought approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to significantly increase the amount paid for housing subsidies – and last week HUD agreed. Advocating on the SMHA’s behalf were U.S. Congressman Ted Lieu, U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, Santa Monica City Councilmembers, and the Santa Monica Housing Commission.