In giving legislative updates to the Santa Monica Rent Control Board, legislative advocate Brian Augusta stated that application fees are a barrier that renters face “almost everywhere they go,” paying the fees despite typically not being picked for a unit. AB 2493 remedies this, as fees will be returned to any applicant not selected to an occupancy.

Also signed by Newsom, AB 2801 changes security deposit regulation to require the landlord to provide photographic evidence of necessary repairs and proof they were completed.

Read More: https://smdp.com/2024/10/16/bills-passed-protecting-renters-on-screening-fees-security-deposits/

Santa Monica will use the grant to provide short term rental assistance to Santa Monicans at risk of losing their housing due to rent increases or eviction for nonpayment of rent. More information on how this program could operate will be presented to the City Council in early 2025. 

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/addressing-homelessness-santa-monica-secures-1-million-in-rental-assistance-to-prevent-homelessness-thanks-to-prohousing-designation

As the election season intensifies, renters in Santa Monica are banding together to counter misinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting the Safer SANTA MONICA candidates: John Putnam, Dr. Vivian Roknian, Oscar De La Torre and Mayor Phil Brock. This grassroots movement aims to clarify facts and dispel false narratives that the Establishment slate is pushing.

Read More on page 8: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/101424.pdf

Read More: https://www.democratsforasafersantamonica.com/

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2024/10/sm-a-r-t-column-fact-checking-election-season-windbaggery/

 The Teamsters Joint Council 42 endorsed the Safer SANTA MONICA Slate of Brock, de la Torre, Putnam, and Roknian for Santa Monica City Council. Teamsters Joint Council 42 represents the Public Services, Passenger Transportation, Freight, Motion Picture & Theatrical Trade, and Building Material & Construction, among other trade divisions and conferences.

Read More on page 4: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/100724.pdf

Both apartment and housing costs remain exorbitant in Santa Monica, with one new report stating that the swath of Los Angeles that includes the city is an outlier in the competitive California rental market due to the pricing, while another report lands the city near the top of the most expensive home buying zip codes in the nation.

Read More: https://smdp.com/2024/10/11/westside-rental-market-noted-as-least-competitive-in-california/

In a polarized country or City every vote counts. Regardless of which side of any issue or candidate you support, your viewpoint will not prevail unless enough of you and your supporters actually vote. Voting fortunately is very easy in California.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2024/10/sm-a-r-t-column-vote/

As the election season intensifies, renters in Santa Monica are banding together to counter misinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting the Safer Santa Monica candidates: John Putnam, Dr. Vivian Roknian, Oscar De La Torre and Mayor Phil Brock.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/letters/Letters-2024/10_11_2024_LETTERS_Political_Establishment_Engaged_in_Panic_Peddling.html

The development by EAH Housing at the former site of Parking Structure 3 behind the Promenade is scheduled to be completed in 2029 and add 122 units towards the State's mandate to plan for 6,168 affordable units through 2029.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2024/October-2024/10_10_2024_1_Million_Per_Unit_Affordable_Project_Takes_Next_Step.html