We have a real conundrum as there is an infinite supply of homeless (currently 950 in SM) for a finite supply of facilities (currently 440 beds). There is a realistic fear that the provision of any additional units will only stimulate more arriving homeless.  Should we be advocating for an increased presence and possibly opening the door to further disintegration of our beachfront town?

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2018/12/sma-r-t-column-housing-the-950-homeless-in-sm/

The second of two residential developments slated for beachfront land at the end of Pico Boulevard was approved by the Planning Commission Wednesday.

Owned by the Beverly Hills-based owners of Casa del Mar and Shutters hotels, the project at 1828 Ocean Avenue -- as well as the smaller project at 1921 Ocean Front Walk approved last month -- will be used as permanent residential housing.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2018/December-2018/12_07_2018_Planning_Commission_Approves_Second_of_Pair_of_Oceanfront_Residential_Developments.html

Santa Monica Senator Ben Allen introduced legislation this week to eliminate an impediment to building affordable housing added to the California Constitution in 1950.

The bill would repeal Article 34, which requires cities to submit projects to a voter referendum when public funds are allocated to develop low-income rental housing.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2018/December-2018/12_05_2018_Santa_Monica_Lawmaker_Introduces_Bill_to_Eliminate_Hurdle_to_Low_Income_Housing.html

Amid both jeers and applause, the Los Angeles City Council gave the green light on Tuesday to a temporary homeless shelter in Venice.

The 154-bed shelter will be built on a former bus yard owned by Metro at Sunset and Pacific avenues. With the council’s approval, it’s set to open next year.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/city-council-signs-off-on-contested-venice-homeless-shelter/ar-BBQPhG4

An ordinance regulating Airbnb and other home- sharing platforms in Los Angeles was unanimously approved Tuesday by the City Council, capping more than three years of debate.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/la-approves-industry-friendly-airbnb-regulations/ar-BBQPwN6

DISAPPOINTED BUT NOT SURPRISED

That so few showed up at City Hall last week, to protest our City government’s enthusiasm to throw tons more good money after bad in their appeal of the lawsuit they lost to maintain at-large voting instead of districts, which the court found to be discriminatory.

Only one city of 24 in California chose to fight that challenge in court. Palmdale lost, like us, new elections were ordered.

Read More: http://www.smdp.com/time-to-throw-in-the-towel/171350

A City Council committee approved a draft ordinance Tuesday regulating Airbnb and other home-sharing platforms in Los Angeles, moving the issue close to the finish line after three years of debate.

Allowing some low-income residents who live in rent-stabilized units to be home-sharing hosts has been one of the final outstanding issues, but it was not discussed in detail during Tuesday's meeting of the Planning and Land Use Management Committee, since a separate committee raised the issue.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/la-inches-closer-to-regulating-airbnb-like-rentals/ar-BBQvRET

Santa Monica has a new housing complex that will aid in making living in the City viable for low-income residents. A ribbon cutting event was held Saturday, December 1 to officially to welcome The Arroyo, an affordable housing complex located off of Lincoln and Colorado.

Read More: http://backissues.smdp.com/120418.pdf

Santa Monica is three years behind schedule for water independence due to delays in obtaining permits for some of the proposed plans.

The city is using about 20 percent less imported water than it did in 2011, when City Council set a goal of achieving water self-sufficiency by 2020. At a recent Council meeting, staff said changes to state laws have also presented a challenge.

Staff has redesigned parts of the plan because new state regulations require the removal of certain chemicals from drinking water making treatment more difficult and expensive, said Alex Navarchuk, the City’s principal engineer.

Read More: http://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-will-stop-using-imported-water-by-2023-three-years-behind-schedule/171300

Registration for the 2019 Santa Monica Homeless Count is now open online. Santa Monica Human Services needs over 250 volunteers to assist the night of the event.

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, from 10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2018/12/03/volunteer-registration-opens-for-the-2019-santa-monica-homeless-count