ACTION Apartment Association

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.

Santa Monica Is Third Least Affordable City for Home Buyers

05/24/2023 8:48 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica is the third least affordable city in the country to buy a home, according to an analysis of 300 U.S. cities by WalletHub released Tuesday.

The site analyzed cities by size based on ten key metrics that ranged from the costs of homes and their maintenance to tax rates and homeowners insurance costs, according to the financial website.

Santa Monica housing provider expands into Venice

05/23/2023 10:50 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Barauskas said when she came onboard at CCSM about seven years ago, her intention was always to expand to other areas of the Westside, noting that housing is expensive all over the region, and not just in Santa Monica, where CCSM had been exclusively focused up to that point. “I asked the board, ‘If you’re interested in expanding, then I’d like the job.’ And it’s worked out really well. So that was kind of my pitch.”

Breakdown Of Santa Monica’s Proposed Biennial Budget

05/23/2023 10:47 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The council’s meeting on Tuesday will begin the discussion process leading up to the budget’s adoption in June. A public hearing on June 27 will be held for public comment, making revisions, and adopting the first year and approving the second year of the budget.

Here is a breakdown of the proposed biennial budget:

Supreme Court Sets Date for Oral Arguments in Voting Rights Case

05/23/2023 10:29 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

"To be argued on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 9:00 am," the schedule reads. The oral argument session "will be conducted with all justices and counsel participating remotely."

Within 90 days of oral arguments, the court files its written opinion, which becomes final 30 days after filing, unless there is a rehearing or the court modifies its decision.

Proposed budget restores almost 70 positions to City hall

05/22/2023 10:44 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica’s upcoming budget picture moves from barely in the black to slighly in the red over the next five year, call it an ash grey to watermelon transition by fiscal year 2027/28.

The Citywide proposed Biennial Budget is $740.9 million in FY 2023-24 and $746.4 million in FY 2024-25 and council will hear an update on its fiscal projections at Tuesday’s meeting.