A virtual public meeting on February 11 will gather community input on the proposal.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/national-park-service-to-hold-public-meeting-on-potential-la-coastal-park/

Residents can visit the online portal to book a 20-minute meeting with Mayor Torosis.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/meet-with-mayor-caroline-torosis

The vote, listed as Agenda Item 11.A, approved a 99-year ground lease on city-owned land at 14th Street and committed $13.5 million from the city's Housing Trust Fund to support the project, which aims to deliver 100% affordable housing units.

In a January 8, 2026, letter to Interim City Attorney Yolande Y. Gisele von Tongeln, representatives from Santa Monica Neighbors and Mid-Wilshire Residents alleged that three council members who voted in favor-Councilmember Jesse Zwick, Mayor Caroline Torosis, and Councilmember Natalya Zernitskaya-may have had disqualifying conflicts of interest under the Political Reform Act and related ethics rules.

The residents cited the following issues: Councilmember Zwick allegedly engaged in undisclosed ex parte communications with HCHC Executive Director Sarah Letts, including emails and private discussions on project alternatives, during the council process.

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2026/02/09/news/span-classbrnwsbreaking-news-spansanta-monica-residents-raise-conflict-of-interest-concerns-over-council-vote-on-affordable-housing-project/9654.html

The distinction between physical housing stock and functional supply is critical to understanding what has happened. When a single person occupies a two-bedroom unit—a common occurrence as solo dwellers outbid families for larger spaces—that unit consumes the same physical footprint that could house a family of four. A city can meet its production targets on paper while its actual capacity to house residents declines. Santa Monica has been mandated to add 8,874 units under state housing requirements, and city staff has proposed capacity for 52 percent more than that figure. Yet the community is shrinking. Our schools now import 17 percent of their students from outside the district because local units no longer translate into local children.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2026/02/sm-a-r-t-column-the-mathematics-of-erasure/

The item concerns negotiations between City Manager Oliver Chi and the executive director of The Manor, a transitional housing facility at 1905 and 2019 Pico Boulevard.

Licensed by the State of California, The Manor has provided "room, board, care and supervision since the 1960’s for persons with mental illness, and for those with developmental disabilities," according to the non-profit's website.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2026/February-2026/02_06_2026_City_Negotiating_to_Lease_Housing_for_the_Mentally_Ill.html

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to raise the threshold for formal evictions in unincorporated areas from one month to two months of unpaid rent, offering additional protection to tenants facing economic hardship. 

Read More: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/020426.pdf%0A?ref=smdp.com

The application, filed by property owner 1655 Property LLC, seeks approval to demolish an existing low-rise office complex at 1655 26th Street and replace it with an eight-story residential development. The proposal calls for 401 apartments above approximately 2,070 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2026/02/401-unit-apartment-project-proposed-to-replace-offices-near-santa-monicas-water-garden/

Understanding how to screen tenants fairly while staying compliant with all applicable laws doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools, knowledge, and processes, you can confidently evaluate applicants, select qualified tenants, and protect yourself from legal liability, RentRedi reports.

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2026/02/02/business/how-to-screen-tenants-fairly-and-stay-compliant-as-a-small-landlord/9634.html

At the center of the controversy is a formal ruling by California’s political watchdog, the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). The FPPC ordered City Councilmember Jesse Zwick to completely recuse himself from all housing- and zoning-related matters.

Read More:https://smmirror.com/2026/01/sm-a-r-t-column-santa-monicas-housing-push-and-the-ethics-crisis-behind-it/

The City Attorney's office last week sued the owners of 28 Santa Monica rent-controlled apartment buildings who allegedly made $18 million illegally renting units as short-term rentals.

According to the lawsuit filed in Superior Court Thursday, for more than five years the defendants have rented at least 62 units in at least 25 properties to short-term guests nearly 3,000 times.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2026/01_29_2026_City_Sues_Landlords_for_18_Million.html