ACTION Apartment Association

Santa Monica Home Prices Post Highest Jump in Nation

11/06/2019 8:00 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica saw home prices rise higher than any other large city in the nation, with the median price of a home soaring by $155,000 over the past year, according to an analysis by Forbes magazine.

The study, which is based on data sourced from the real estate site Zillow, analyzed home prices in the 500 largest U.S. cities between September 2018 and September 2019.

City's Wellbeing Summit to Cost Nearly $250,000

11/06/2019 7:59 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City of Santa Monica's Wellbeing Summit next month -- meant to "spark conversation and action around community wellbeing" -- will cost $242,500, which will be paid for by sponsors.

So far, the City has raised $229,500 from 19 sponsors for the event on November 16 at the Santa Monica College (SMC) Center for Media and Design, according to a report from City Manager Rick Cole sent to the City Council Thursday.

Beware of Price-Gauging During Fire Emergency, City Officials Warn

11/06/2019 7:57 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

As wildfires rage just north of Santa Monica's border, the City Attorneys office on Wednesday cautioned residents to be wary of price-gauging.

The ban on price-gouging applies to "temporary and permanent housing, food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials, gasoline, transportation, and emergency cleanup."

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2019/10/30/santa-monica-city-attorney-s-office-warns-of-price-gouging-during-state-of-emergency-in-los-angeles-county

Struggling Rent Control Seniors Can Register for Cash Assistance Next Month

11/06/2019 7:55 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Rent-burdened Santa Monica seniors can begin registering for financial assistance next month under an expanded City funded program that helps cover their basic needs.

Starting November 4, the City will accept registrations for the Preserving Our Diversity (POD) pilot program that helps impoverished seniors who after decades living in rent-controlled apartments can no longer afford to pay the rent.

Earlier this year, the City Council boosted funding for the program from an initial $200,000 a year in 2017 that assisted some two dozen seniors to $2 million that will help between 250 and 400 seniors, City officials said.

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2019/10/29/low-income-senior-renters-can-register-for-preserving-our-diversity-pilot-program-starting-november-4

Audit Subcommittee to No Longer Take Ethics Complaints

11/06/2019 7:53 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica's audit subcommittee -- created four years ago to increase financial transparency -- will no longer directly receive and respond to ethics complaints.

On Tuesday, the City Council voted to revise the subcommittee's role to instead "clearly support" the City's confidential 24-hour ethics hotline "as the primary method to report suspected illegal or improper activity."

City Council Approves Changes to Development Standards for Single-Unit Dwellings

10/23/2019 3:39 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

After a year and a half of public engagement, the Santa Monica City Council approved changes to the development standards for Santa Monica’s single-unit residential (R1) neighborhoods. Early last year, City Council directed staff to prioritize the review of R1 standards after neighborhood groups shared concerns over the size and scale of new single-family home construction. On January 24, 2018, Council approved temporary standards through an Interim Zoning Ordinance.

The goals of the new standards are to address the size of new home construction in the context of neighborhood scale, to incentivize the retention of existing homes, and to make the standards more user-friendly.

Los Angeles City Council approves moratorium on evictions

10/22/2019 2:46 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Los Angeles City Council approved an emergency moratorium on evictions Tuesday that aims to stop landlords from quickly booting tenants before new statewide rental rules take effect in January.

Santa Monica Wins State's First Court Order Enforcing Low-Income Housing Restriction

10/22/2019 8:34 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica is likely the first California city to win a judgment against a property owner for renting a low-income unit to a tenant who doesn't meet the income qualifications.

Under a court settlement, Marble One, LLC will pay the City $120,000 and hire a third-party property manager after renting a deed restricted unit for twice the eligible rent.

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2019/10/21/owner-of-income-restricted-rental-unit-in-santa-monica-to-pay-120-000-after-alleged-violations-of-deed-restriction

HOUSING COMMISSION UNSCHEDULED VACANCY

10/21/2019 7:21 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Housing Commission: One seat available for a partial term ending June 30, 2021. Applicants must be a Santa Monica resident.

Read More on page 3: http://backissues.smdp.com/101919.pdf

Santa Monica may have to build almost 5,000 units by 2029

10/21/2019 7:15 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The city of Santa Monica’s Planning Commission says it’s time for Santa Monica to reopen the conversation around upzoning in the wake of new state efforts to address California’s housing shortage and lack of affordable housing.

Santa Monica will likely have to support taller and denser development in response to recent legislation aimed at boosting housing construction and an upcoming mandate that cities across California build thousands of new housing units, commissioners said at a meeting Wednesday. The city will likely be required to build 4,800 affordable and market-rate units from 2021 to 2029.