The City of Santa Monica faces a $226 million budget gap by July 2021 that will force it to immediately slash services and offer buyouts to several hundred employees, according to a staff report to the City Council released Monday.

The report -- which will be taken up by the Council on Tuesday -- warns that the City is "facing massive deficits" to its budget after government-ordered shutdowns of its key industries.

Read More: http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/April-2020/04_13_2020_City_Faces_226_Million_Budget_Gap_Due_to_Coronavirus_Shutdown.html

Nearly 100 Santa Monica residents have tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as county health officials extend the stay-at-home order until May 15.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2020/04/county-extends-stay-at-home-order-as-santa-monica-covid-19-count-nears-100/

The city of Santa Monica issued an order Wednesday night that requires people working and shopping at essential businesses to wear face coverings.

The order, which will go into effect Friday and last through the end of April, requires employers to provide or cover the cost of face coverings for employees and allow them to wash their hands at least every 30 minutes. Customers are also required to wear face coverings.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/city-of-santa-monica-requires-residents-workers-to-wear-face-coverings-inside-businesses/189165

On April 8, 2020, the City of Santa Monica issued a revised supplemental order that strengthens the City’s eviction moratorium in response to the deepening impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2020/04/08/santa-monica-broadens-its-temporary-eviction-moratorium

WHEREAS international, national, state, and local health and governmental authorities are responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus named “SARS-CoV-2,” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019,” abbreviated COVID-19, (“COVID-19”)

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/Media/Default/COVID-19/1b_-_Second_Revised_Supplement_1.pdf

Santa Monica on Wednesday expanded tenant protections during the coronavirus emergency and hiked the maximum fine for landlords who violate the City's tenant harassment ordinance.

The latest order issued by City Manager Rick Cole extends the moratorium on residential and commercial evictions for non-payment of rent to May 31, a deadline that could be extended.

Read More: http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/April-2020/04_08_2020_Santa_Monica_Further_Strengthens_Tenant_Protections_During_Coronavirus_Emergency.html

AND: https://smmirror.com/2020/04/santa-monica-broadens-eviction-moratorium-as-covid-19-count-surpasses-80/

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2020/04/08/santa-monica-broadens-its-temporary-eviction-moratorium

AND: https://www.smdp.com/city-of-santa-monica-broadens-moratorium-on-residential-and-commercial-evictions/189101

The City of Santa Monica today announces a new fund to provide local relief in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The We Are Santa Monica Innovation Fund (Santa Monica COVID-19 Relief Fund) will provide critically needed funds to organizations and the City to help in the following areas:

1. obtain necessary sanitation and medical supplies,
2. provide food to those experiencing food insecurity,
3. provide shelter to those in need, and
4. support volunteer relief efforts.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2020/04/09/announcing-the-we-are-santa-monica-innovation-fund

One quarter of U.S. tenants were unable to pay their April rents in full during the coronavirus emergency, with more than 10 percent making no payment at all, according to a survey by Apartment List.

Santa Monica landlords and property managers interviewed by The Lookout Tuesday reported few tenants were unable to pay their full rents ("Few Tenants Fail to Pay April Rent, Landlords Fear Numbers Will Rapidly Grow," April 7, 2020).

Read More: http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/April-2020/04_08_2020_Nearly_One_in_Four_Renters_Nationwide_Failed_t_Make_Their_Full_April_Payment.html

Both Governor Newsom and County public health officials have emphasized: This is the week to stay home! We know that the next few weeks are critical to slow the spread of the virus. We are adding our plea to our entire community: Stay home and limit all out-of-home trips! Our top health official Dr. Barbara Ferrer shared this week:

Read more on page 4: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/040820.pdf

In an expansive series of legislative efforts seeking relief for renters, homeowners, and commercial property owners during the COVID-19 pandemic, City Councilmembers Mike Bonin and David Ryu today co-introduced five pieces of legislation calling for an eviction moratorium, rent freeze in Los Angeles, as well as for state and federal action on rent and mortgage forgiveness.

Read More on page 3: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/040820.pdf