Airbnb is dispatching inspectors to rate some of the properties listed on its home-rental service in an effort to reassure travelers they’re booking nice places to stay.

The Plus program, unveiled Thursday, is aimed at winning over travelers who aren’t sure they can trust the current, computer-driven analysis of reviews posted by past guests. The misleading pictures drawn by Airbnb’s rating system have become a big enough problem to spawn a website devoted to horror stories spanning from an overcrowded, dirty “hippy commune ” in Pasadena, California, to a Paris vacation ruined in a moldy, bug-infested apartment.

Read More: http://smdp.com/airbnb-unveils-new-category-of-rentals-rated-by-inspectors/164569

Hundreds of new apartments have been approved for Lincoln Blvd. between Olympic and Colorado and work is now underway on two new buildings.

The Arroyo, a 64 unit affordable housing project by Community Corp of Santa Monica broke ground last year and is now taking shape on the block. Across the street, officials have broken ground on The Lincoln Collection, a pair of apartment buildings that will total about 280 units.

Read More: http://smdp.com/construction-begins-on-new-apartments-on-lincoln-blvd/164580

A recent study commissioned by the City of Santa Monica is shedding light on the current staffing and compensation situation of the City.

One key finding of the Moss Adams report is that “Santa Monica had the highest median management level cash wages among peer cities at $214,842, which is 14.5 percent ($187,689) above the peer median…Santa Monica does not have a formal compensation philosophy or policy that guides the City’s compensation setting process.”

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2018/02/cash-flow-city-wage-focus-median-management-salaries-soar-peer-cities/

A draft report of City of Santa Monica staffing and compensation conducted by the firm Moss Adams was released today in preparation for review by the Audit Subcommittee at the upcoming meeting on February 28, 2018. The study, which began in June 2017, reviewed policies and practices related to City employee compensation and staffing levels. The report provides observations and recommendations organized in the following categories: Wage and benefits packages, drivers of compensation and public safety overtime.

Read the article: https://smmirror.com/2018/02/city-santa-monica-draft-compensation-staffing-report-released/

Read the draft report, agenda item 4:  https://www.smgov.net/uploadedFiles/Departments/Council/Audit_Comm/February%2028,%202018%20Agenda%20Packet.pdf

February 22, 2018 -- Short-term rentals in Santa Monica that were listed on sites such as Airbnb generated nearly $2.5 million in hotel bed taxes during the past fiscal year, according to a report issued by the City this month.

During the first four months of the current fiscal year, which began on July 1, the City collected more than $1 million in transient occupancy taxes (TOT), which is 14 percent in Santa Monica.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2018/February-2018/02_22_2018_Santa_Monicas_Short_Term_Rental_Market_Thriving.html

AND

http://smdp.com/report-airbnb-hosts-make-millions-in-santa-monica-from-illegal-listings/164554

See mid-year line item budgeted, expenditures and projected amounts at: 2018 RENT BOARD BUDGET.pdf

Los Angeles City Councilmembers introduced a resolution today to commit to building at least 3,330 housing units for homeless people citywide by mid-2020. 

The resolution calls on the city’s 15 councilmembers to create at least 222 supportive housing units in each of their districts using Measure HHH, a $1.2-billion bond measure dedicated to building supportive housing and other services for homeless people.

Read More:  https://la.curbed.com/2018/2/21/17036870/los-angeles-homeless-housing-development-citywide-pledge

The Rent Control Board will continue to tackle tax surcharges on tenants who have seen their rental rates surge when they consider whether to create a subcommittee on the issue Thursday. The RCB aims to help current tenants who’ve surcharges increase because of property tax assessments during Santa Monica’s current real estate market boom.

Last month, the RCB eliminated the issue for new tenants and future sales when they put a sunset on the law that allowed the pass-throughs to happen. A new property owner will no longer be able to pass any of the massive property tax increase down to tenants when they purchase a multi-unit building in Santa Monica. Because the decision is not retroactive, tenants currently paying surcharges will continue to do so unless they move out or the building is sold to a new owner.

There are current surcharges linked to Measures X, S, BB and AA. Landlords could also pass along a stormwater management user fee, the clean beaches and ocean parcel tax and a 2008 school district special tax. The median monthly surcharge is $20.73, however, some tenants have seen their bills skyrocket in recent years.
The RCB will decide whether to create a subcommittee to address tax-related surcharges when they meet Thursday night.

Read More: http://smdp.com/financial-focus-for-upcoming-rent-control-meeting/164550

Despite strict laws and a dedicated enforcement team, Santa Monica’s battle against illegal short term rentals is essentially a game of whack-a-mole, according to a report by city staff. Online violators use an array of tactics to outwit investigators, including deleting listings during City Hall business hours and manipulating addresses to appear to be in Los Angeles.

Despite hundreds of listings here, only 187 home-shares are actually registered with the city. The report says it is difficult to know the exact number of illegal listings because platforms like AirBnb refuse to provide data to the code enforcement on the number of listings within city limits. In May 2017, an independent data analyst estimated there were 950 AirBnbs in Santa Monica.
Despite the threat of fines, the report found illegal home-shares are a lucrative underground business.

Read More: http://smdp.com/report-airbnb-hosts-make-millions-in-santa-monica-from-illegal-listings/164554

February 21, 2018 -- A prominent Santa Monica watchdog group on Tuesday offered its endorsement of a proposal for November’s ballot that would impose term limits on the seven-member City Council.

The Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) announced its support of the “Terms Limit Initiative,” whose authors -- a first-term council member and the head of another City Hall watchdog group -- will begin circulating petitions to place the measure on the ballot.

Over time, “a too cozy, symbiotic relationship often sets in with incumbent councilmembers, staff and the special interests who devote the energy and money to keep them in power,” SMCLC said in a statement.

“Talented and highly qualified Santa Monicans are at such a disadvantage that they are often discouraged from running,” the organization said.

It noted that in the past quarter of a century, all but two council incumbents have been re-elected.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2018/February-2018/02_21_2018_Santa_Monica_Watchdog_Group_Endorses_Proposal_for_City_Council_Term_Limits.html

AND

http://smdp.com/advocates-launch-term-limit-measure-this-wednesday/164544