Rent control panic is gripping landlords throughout Southern California, prompting them to jack up their rents preemptively in case some type of tenant protection kicks in.

Read More:  https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2019/08/18/fallout-from-states-rent-control-debate-more-rent-hikes/

The cost of renting in Los Angeles and Orange counties rose at the fastest pace in 14 years, according to the Consumer Price Index.

L.A.-O.C. rents rose at a 5.8% annual rate last month — same as June and the highest for a July since 2005, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A year ago, rent CPI was up at a 4.7% pace. The CPI tracks rental costs by polling consumers vs. other rent measurements that come from surveying landlords.

Read More: https://www.ocregister.com/2019/08/19/rent-costs-in-los-angeles-orange-counties-at-5-8-biggest-rise-since-2005/

The City elevates its ongoing efforts to keep low- and moderate-income residents housed in light of the regional increase in homelessness.

The City of Santa Monica has launched a new toolkit focused on connecting people to the many City services and programs that have helped maintain the community’s commitment to affordability, especially as thousands across the region feel the strain of housing costs.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/the-city-of-santa-monica-releases-practical-toolkit-about-affordability

A California Appeals Court last week declined a petition from two major online rental platforms requesting that the court rehear a case challenging Santa Monica's homesharing law.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling Friday lets stand the City's strict 2015 Home-Sharing Ordinance it upheld in March after a U.S. District Court dismissed the lawsuit filed by Airbnb and HomeAway.com.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2019/August-2019/08_20_2019_California_Appeals_Court_Lets_Stand_Santa_Monicas_Homesharing_Law.html

A showdown has been brewing between Santa Monica City officials and the organizer of a meals program that has been serving food to more than 100 homeless people every Sunday at Reed Park.

The group -- Family Food.US -- emerged after the Westside Vineyard Church last summer was pressured by neighboring residents to move its meals program indoors ("Westside Church to Stop Sunday Lunches for Homeless at Reed Park," May 2, 2018).

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2019/August-2019/08_19_2019_City_at_Loggerheads_with_Meals_Program_at_Reed_Park.html

The Experiment started last fall with some boldly painted Adirondack chairs and lawn games designed to invite shoppers to linger on the northernmost block of the Third Street Promenade.

Last week, The Experiment spread through the rest of the pedestrian-only shopping district, scattering colorful seating, play structures and art installations in front of stores and restaurants.

The City Council directed staff on Tuesday to find ways to deter Santa Monica landlords from illegally renting rent control units that have been removed from the market.

The motion by Councilmember Kevin McKeown, which was approved unanimously without discussion, did not indicate if the practice is widespread.

"As a City of mostly renters, Santa Monicans are threatened by many things," McKeown said, noting that notable among them is the 1985 Ellis Act that allows California rent control landlords to get out of the rental business.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2019/August-2019/08_16_2019_Council_Directs_Staff_to_Tighten_Reoccupancy_Law.html

by Robert Gomez

Editor:

The city of Santa Monica is currently looking at reducing build outs from 61% to 50% in R1 neighborhoods. They also are looking to alter parking standards to discourage “McMansionization.” They are proposing accessory units or ADU’s by allowing homeowners to build in their backyard and rent them out. I have major issues with these proposals: the rights of owners to build on their private property, zoning changes away from R1, and allowing massive developments with zoning variances in size and scope in other parts of the city to allow for some low income units.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/cmansion-double-talk/178714

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has reaffirmed its rejection of Airbnb, Inc. and Homeaway.com’s challenge to the City of Santa Monica’s Home-Sharing Ordinance, which penalizes the online platforms for unlawfully booking short-term vacation rentals of unlicensed properties in Santa Monica. 

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2019/08/19/santa-monica-home-sharing-law-stands-after-challenge-by-airbnb-inc-and-homeaway-com

The City Council is split on how much to raise water rates over the next five years to fund projects that will wean Santa Monica off of imported water.

The council discussed Tuesday how much to charge residents and businesses for water as the city moves toward a goal of water self-sufficiency by 2023. The rate increases will finance almost $42 million in projects that will allow Santa Monica to stop importing water from the regional water utility, which local officials say will save ratepayers money in the long run.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/water-costs-divide-city-council/178580