Last December, Phil Brock was sworn in after finishing first in the race for City Council by promising to tackle Santa Monica's entrenched homeless problem.

A year later, he and his two fellow Change slate Councilmembers have placed an item on next Tuesday's agenda seekig answers to basic questions Brock says they have been asking all year.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/December-2021/12_03_2021_Councilmembers_Want_Answers_to_Simple_Questions_About_Homeless_Efforts.html

Currently, businesses both large and small are reformulating their requirements for their space and working environments. More management, staff, and employees are working remotely, which will require less square footage commitments or, in some circumstances, to locate in smaller satellite locations. Eventually, there will most likely be a more significant return to the workplace, and occupancy levels will increase for the current existing built-out space. That said, it appears that the absorption factor will not re turn to pre-pandemic occupancy levels. Many companies have already permanently changed their employment strategies and no longer require full-time office occupancy for their employees. 

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2021/12/building-conversion-in-todays-market-environment/

 Rents in Santa Monica dipped by 1.8 percent last month, marking the first decrease since last December, according to Apartment List's latest monthly report.

The drop comes as rents nationwide grew by 0.1 percent, the lowest month-to-month increase this year, according to the report released Monday.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/December-2021/12_01_2021_Santa_Monica_Rents_Drop_for_First_Time_This_Year.html

Several large states and cities have exhausted their federal rental assistance, the Treasury Department said Monday, in a sign that spending on a massive program aimed at averting evictions has picked up speed.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/states-cities-running-out-of-rental-assistance-monies/210916

City Council is uniformly opposed to the draft Congressional District map that would divide Santa Monica from much of the Westside and lump it into a district with large portions of the San Fernando Valley.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/council-protests-being-grouped-with-valley-cities-in-draft-congressional-district-map/210910

There is a general, and growing, discomfort in the relationship between the residents and their city. People who live here are asking themselves and each other – who does the city work for? Those few residents who tuned in to the meetings of Oct 12 and Oct. 26 saw plainly what is driving the city’s priorities – and what is not. The clear takeaway was that the concept of a balanced city that works for all, is fading.  

Changing this trajectory is critical. The stakes are enormous. 

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2021/11/sma-r-t-column-santa-monica-who-does-the-city-work-for/

To help hold the line against that feared wave of eviction and to stay ahead of the pandemic’s effects, the Public Rights Division of the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office (PRD) has increased its already considerable efforts in community outreach, enforcement, and proactive projects.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/focus-on-housing-rights-and-resources-continues-at-city-attorneys-office/210656

On Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from 4 to 6 pm, the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office Public Rights Division and the Rent Control Board will host their annual Landlord/Tenant Forum. This year’s event will be virtual. 

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2021/11/22/landlord-tenant-forum-held-december-14

A third of Los Angeles area renters planning to move are looking elsewhere, although they are choosing to stay within driving distance, according to a report released by Apartment List last week.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2021/November-2021/11_22_2021_LA_Area_Renters_Planning_Move_Look_in_Metro_Region.html

To help hold the line against that feared wave of eviction and to stay ahead of the pandemic’s effects, the Public Rights Division of the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office (PRD) has increased its already considerable efforts in community outreach, enforcement, and proactive projects. Community Outreach.

Read More on page 4: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/112221.pdf