The City has extended a rent relief program for struggling rent control tenants after fewer than 500 applications were approved, leaving most of the $750,000 in funding unused.

Of the 563 households that applied for the “Rent Control Adjustment Relief” (RCAR) program, 381 have received at total of $241,026 to help pay their annual rent increase, according to City officials.

"Approximately 100 additional households will be provided financial assistance this month," said Tati Simonian, a spokesperson for the City.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2022/December-2022/12_15_2022_City_Extends_Rent_Relief_Program.html

As this year ends, we want to update you on our ongoing involvement regarding important issues our city is facing:

The Gelson's teardown project (Lincoln and Ocean Park Blvds): In late July, the City issued a lengthy non-compliance letter to the developer detailing necessary project revisions. No revised plans have been filed. 

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2022/12/16/opinion/santa-monica-development-news-year-end-wrap-up-the-gelsons-project-and-recourse-against-the-bombshell-builders-remedy/7311.html

Overview:

Developers have begun filing permits to build large housing projects throughout the city that far exceed local zoning restrictions and while those permits are subject to cursory review, the City lacks any clear path to head off construction of more than 4,500 new units.

Read More: https://smdp.com/2022/12/15/development/

Measure RC reduces this year's 6% increase to Maximum Allowable Rents (MAR) in effect on August 31, 2022 to a 0.8% increase from February 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023. The result is an annual increase for the year (from September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023) that averages 3%. Similarly, other units with higher rents that received the maximum increase of $140 will have the monthly increase reduced to $19 starting in February. Measure RC requires this Adjusted General Adjustment so that the average rent increase for the year (from September 2022 to August 2023) does not exceed 3% or $70 per month, whichever is less.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/what-rent-controlled-tenants-need-to-know-after-the-passage-of-measure-rc

Santa Monica has reopened applications for rental relief.

Applications for the Rent Control Adjustment Relief program closed on Sept. 19, but the city set a new deadline for those who qualify.

Applications reopens Monday and will remain available through Jan. 11, 2023 to the following households:

- Households in Rent Control units that received a rent increase notice dated after the original Sept 19th RCAR deadline. Rent increase notices must be clearly signed and dated by property owner/manager after Sept. 19.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/santa-monica-reopens-limited-relief-program-amid-rising-rent/ar-AA15eRkz

WSC last week submitted its first full proposal for one of the 15 projects it rushed into Santa Monica's planning pipeline under the "builder's remedy" provision in State Housing law.

The detailed project plans filed Thursday are for a 75-unit, 10-story high-rise apartment building at 1238 7th Street -- one of 16 builder's remedy projects for which preliminary proposals were submitted.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2022/December-2022/12_13_2022_WSC_Submits_Plans_for_First_Builders_Remedy_Project.html

During the first Public Comment, it soon became clear who constituted the crowd packing the room: supporters of Mayor Sue and her pseudo Marxist/crony capitalist agenda. The speaker was retired landlord and business owner Elaine Golden-Gealer, and she presented a PowerPoint criticizing Himmelrich's term and warning that the now-former mayor intends to maintain power over tens of millions of dollars via the recently passed Measure GS, which imposes an 8-fold increase in property transfer taxes, ostensibly in order to provide housing for the homelesss.

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2022/12/10/opinion/santa-monica-mayor-sue-himmelrich-ends-her-tenure-on-city-council-in-typical-fashion-disdaining-the-public-and-its-welfare/7294.html

Per Measure RC, effective February 1st, (absent an individual adjustment per a decision), MARs that were originally increased by either 6% or the $140 maximum (for MARs of $2,325 or more) will be reduced to a 0.8% increase above the rent that was in effect on August 31, 2022, with a new maximum increase of $19.   

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/maximum-lawful-rent#:~:text=Per%20Measure%20RC,%20effective%20February%201st,%20(absent%20an,2022,%20with%20a%20new%20maximum%20increase%20of%20$19.

Property, Developments, And Listings On The Westside.
*  New Mixed Use Building ‘The Charlie’ Ready To Welcome Renters
*  Plans Submitted for Mixed-Use Building on 19th and Wilshire Blvd
* Local Properties For Sale And Rent In Your Neighborhood!

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2022/12/new-mixed-use-building-the-charlie-ready-to-welcome-renters-santa-monica-real-estate-report-december-12th-2022/

The Los Flores apartment complex in the Pico neighborhood of Santa Monica is almost complete as reported by Urbanize Los Angeles. This development is a mixed-use affordable housing project and the developer is Community Corp. of Santa Monica. 

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2022/12/mixed-use-affordable-housing-development-nearly-complete-in-santa-monica/