ACTION Apartment Association

SMa.r.t. Column: A Flooding Prospect

11/22/2021 9:46 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The State and a number of cities and groups have begun organizing to deal with the looming threat of coastal flooding. The State of California now has a very informative resource website (linked at the bottom of this article). Our own city has prepared an initial set of “Adaptive Management” goals related to sea-level rise in its Climate Action and Adaptation Plan from May, 2019. It has also prepared a hair-raising assessment of financial costs related to sea level rise that is worth close examination. It seems, however, that many of the proposals listed in Santa Monica’s action plan remain mired in inaction. Of the five major recommendations listed in the plan, besides the financial assessment, only one–Beach Nourishment & Dune Creation–has been started, and that with the leadership of The Bay Foundation, a non-profit group that helped create a beach restoration pilot project near the Annenberg about four years before it was included in the city’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.

Opinion: SB 9, 10: The Rebellion Begins

11/22/2021 9:44 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Now their opponents aim to nullify these two measures that would take almost all zoning decisions away from city councils and county boards and essentially place them in the hands of Wall Street investors and developers with big bankrolls.

Mixed-Use Development With Possible Bank Coming to Wilshire Boulevard

11/22/2021 9:17 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Two commercial buildings are being redeveloped into a small new mixed use building at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Harvard Street in Santa Monica.

Scant fraud reported among U.S. rental assistance programs

11/19/2021 11:33 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

But in the eight months since California’s rental assistance program began, fraud has been virtually nonexistent. The Department of Housing and Community Development has identified 1,800 fraudulent rental assistance applications out of nearly 500,000 statewide — 0.0036% — and none was paid.

Santa Monica Homeless Count to be Held January 26, 2022

11/17/2021 12:06 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The count will be modified with COVID-19 safety best practices in place to ensure a safe experience for the volunteer corps who power this important and mandatory activity.

Inglewood residents outraged over home registration fees

11/17/2021 10:22 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Inglewood residents have taken to social media in protest of annual home registration fees that are being assessed to property owners and landlords through the Housing Protection Department (HPD) in accordance with provisions under the Housing Protection Ordinance. Residents are upset that regardless of whether they have a tenant, they are required to pay registration fees to subsidize the new department.

St. Paul Rent-Control Initiative Backfires

11/16/2021 8:58 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Democratic leaders in Minnesota’s capital city are scrambling for solutions after developers put several large projects on hold across St. Paul in the wake of last week’s election, when residents approved what may be the strictest rent-control policy in the country.

Phil Brock: ‘I Carry Pepper Gel To Downtown Santa Monica’

11/16/2021 8:55 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Brock is a rare, outspoken public figure in a city where transparency and public input have not always been embraced.

Bonin, Kuehl Lay Out Plans for Mixed-Use Project at West LA Civic Center

11/16/2021 8:46 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The project proposes a total of 926 residential units, including nearly 500 market-rate apartments and more than 430 service-enhanced affordable units. The affordable housing will serve families, seniors, and people experiencing homelessness.

SMa.r.t. Column: The Main Thing Is…

11/16/2021 8:38 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The merchants we spoke with were not opposed to the Summer Soulstice, or the Christmas Tree Lighting event, or to the 4th of July parade, all unique special events, but none of the non-bar/restaurant businesses we spoke with favored street closure on a weekly or monthly basis, let alone a permanent one, or a closure of the entire length of Main St. from Marine to Pico. As to the 4th of July Parade, the K-rails (now with a growing display of not so pleasant graffiti) will possibly have a negative effect and may prevent the ability to hold the parade at all. One wonders if that was a consideration when placing them on the street.