ACTION Apartment Association

Are We “Shovel Ready”? SMa.r.t.

03/20/2020 10:00 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

SCAG is the county housing authority who, in sharp contrast to other cities, points to Santa Monica as being “shovel ready” to add 8,800 housing units – 20% to its population over the next 8 years. And in quick response, our “progressive” city council obediently jumps to the task – increasing height limits 2 stories, expediting project approvals by eliminating public and planning commission oversight, and ignores resident’s pleas to join adjacent cities in contesting this absurd dictum. Although there is no cost to appeal, the City Council has decided we are indeed “shovel ready,” a decision which will bury the city– our beachfront environment gone forever. Talk about runaway development – we’re opening the flood gates!

Property taxes still due on April 10

03/20/2020 9:43 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Tax collectors in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties all have issued notices saying they don’t have the power to waive the property tax deadline — even though tax offices are being closed to the public.

But local officials will consider waiving late fees on a case-by-case basis for those unable to pay on time because they are ill or out of work because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Who Qualifies for Paid Leave Under the New Coronavirus Law

03/19/2020 8:40 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members.

Part-time workers will be paid the amount they typically earn in a two-week period.

Businesses and nonprofits will be reimbursed for the full amount within three months, in the form of a payroll tax credit. Program expires Dec. 31, 2020

Santa Monica extends evictions moratorium to businesses

03/18/2020 12:02 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica put a temporary moratorium on commercial evictions Wednesday after local officials ordered many businesses to close Monday to slow the spread of coronavirus, evaporating revenue needed to pay workers, rent and utilities.

City Manager Rick Cole signed an emergency order Wednesday morning prohibiting landlords from evicting businesses through Apr. 30 if they have been financially impacted by coronavirus. The city also waived late fees on the taxes and fees it collects from businesses through the end of April.

Wednesday's supplemental order also suspends the removal of rental property from the market under the Ellis Act, which allows landlords of rent control buildings to go out of the rental business.

Santa Monica shuts down as coronavirus spreads regionally

03/17/2020 10:21 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica went into lockdown Monday as confirmed coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County continued to climb and employees in three Santa Monica offices tested positive for the virus.

Under emergency orders from local officials to slow the spread of COVID-19, schools, public buildings, bars, theaters, gyms and salons closed for two weeks, restaurants halted dine-in service and Santa Monica Pier shut down indefinitely for the first time in its history. The city of Santa Monica put a temporary moratorium on evictions for renters financially impacted by coronavirus and its impacts on businesses.

Landlords can’t evict tenants impacted by coronavirus, LA mayor says

03/16/2020 8:35 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Mayor Eric Garcetti announced this evening that he has signed an order halting residential evictions in the city of Los Angeles.

The eviction moratorium will apply to tenants who are able to show “an inability to pay rent due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

It’s part of a long list of new guidelines and efforts that Garcetti laid out in a public address to stem the spread of virus—and curb the economic impacts already being felt by many workers.

Santa Monica puts temporary moratorium on evictions

03/14/2020 6:45 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica puts temporary moratorium on evictions, utilities shutoffs, parking tickets as coronavirus impacts workers

Santa Monica issued a moratorium on evictions Saturday as the effects of coronaviruses rippled across businesses in the area.

Under the order signed by City Manager Rick Cole, a landlord cannot evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent if the tenant is unable to pay rent due to financial impacts related to COVID-19, including being unable to work, loss of income, caring for a household or family member with the virus, taking care of a child attending a school that has closed or extraordinary medical expenses. Additionally, the moratorium would take effect if state or local governments order residents to self-quarantine.

The order also enacts a moratorium on utilities shutoffs and includes a 60-day suspension of parking tickets.

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2020/03/14/city-of-santa-monica-issues-temporary-moratorium-on-evictions-for-non-payment-of-rent-by-residential-tenants-impacted-by-the-novel-coronavirus-covid-19

To protect renters from coronavirus fallout, L.A. and S.F. are pressing for eviction bans

03/13/2020 10:04 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

With cases of the novel coronavirus multiplying rapidly and the financial implications of the outbreak becoming increasingly clear for low-income workers, the city of Los Angeles will consider a temporary ban on evictions next week amid calls for a similar moratorium that would apply across California.

Santa Monica cancels all events, schools close to contain coronavirus

03/13/2020 9:25 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica canceled all events and local schools announced plans to close Thursday as the number of coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County reached 32 and the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic.

Local officials announced Thursday afternoon that all events, programs and activities hosted by the city of Santa Monica and other groups will be canceled in alignment with guidances issued by state and county public health officials. Santa Monica schools closed, moved to remote instruction or canceled all non-essential events, although they confirmed that no students or staff had tested positive for COVID-19.

Renters need to earn $95,000 to afford rent-controlled studio

03/13/2020 9:15 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A household earning the Los Angeles area’s median income cannot afford a rent-controlled studio in Santa Monica, according to a new report from the city’s Rent Control Board.

By U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development affordability standards, a family would need an income of at least $95,429 to afford a studio, which is about 31% higher than the median household income of the Los Angeles area and 1.7% higher than the median household income of Santa Monica. A family would need a six-figure income to afford any unit larger than a studio.