ACTION Apartment Association

89% of federal rental assistance remains unspent

08/25/2021 11:05 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Treasury Department on Wednesday released updated payout figures that show states and cities distributed $1.7 billion to landlords and renters in July, a modest increase from the $1.5 billion distributed in June.

All told, states and cities spent $5.2 billion out of $46.5 billion in rental relief authorized from COVID-19 rescue packages since December.

SMa.r.t. Column: Fix Those Balconies

08/24/2021 8:48 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The law requires owners of existing rental buildings with three or more multifamily dwelling units to inspect all exterior balconies (and other elements) by January 1, 2025, with new inspections every six years after that. This law covers all mixed-use buildings, large apartment apartment buildings, triplexes and fourplexes. New buildings must be inspected within six years of getting a Certificate of Occupancy, and every six years thereafter.

Eviction ban heads to Supreme Court

08/21/2021 8:58 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Property owners and real estate groups on Friday asked the Supreme Court to halt the Biden administration's new eviction moratorium hours after a federal appeals court let it stay in effect.

Council Expected to Fund New Black Non-Profit

08/20/2021 9:21 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Santa Monica Black Lives Association (SMBLA), which was recently formed to improve “the wellbeing” of Santa Monica's Black community, is slated to receive $100,000 in funding from the City.

AND: https://www.smdp.com/council-to-discuss-vaccine-rules-and-unlicensed-pier-vendors/207689

DTSM envisions new look for Lincoln Blvd.

08/19/2021 9:29 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

DTSM will host the Lincoln Blvd. Beautification Project Town Hall Forum on Aug. 31 from 5 – 7 p.m. via zoom with consultants and DTSM staff to discuss an overview of a draft plan and seek feedback before design documents are finalized.

Eviction bans push some small landlords out

08/18/2021 10:06 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Economic experts have warned that eviction bans could end up inadvertently making housing even less affordable than it is now, if too many landlords sell off their properties to larger investors interested in yielding even bigger profits.

Santa Monicans receive $8.6 million in rent relief with much more funding still available

08/17/2021 9:12 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Any household in Santa Monica that is at or below 80 percent of area median income is eligible to have 100 percent of back rent and utilities owed paid for by the state. The qualifying income is $66,250 for a household of one, $75,700 for a household of two, $85,150 for a household of three and $94,600 for a household of four.

State Money is Available Now to Pay Rent

08/16/2021 10:14 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monicans are urged to apply today at housing.ca.gov. The statewide “CA COVID-19 Rent Relief” program (also commonly referred to as “Housing is Key”) is now open and taking applications to help income-eligible households with 100% of rent and utilities, for both past and future amounts owed.

Opposition Builds to Housing Bills SB9 and 10

08/13/2021 7:42 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

by Tricia Crane

Suddenly Senate Bills 9 and 10 are in the news, which is a good thing given how little genuine media coverage has been given to these dangerous instruments of real estate speculators and their cheerleader Sen. Scott Wiener.

Protracted Rent Moratorium Forcing Small Landlords Out of Business

08/13/2021 7:41 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Extended rent moratoriums and the slow distribution of billions in federal rent assistance are driving many small landlords to call it quits.

“Nobody wants to become a landlord anymore,” said Diane Baird, executive director of the Lake Erie Landlord Association. “And we have very few new people entering into the business.”