ACTION Apartment Association

Legislature Approves Measure to Clarify Density Bonus Law

09/05/2018 9:45 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

On August 30, the California State Assembly passed AB 2797, providing a much needed clarification to the application of State Density Bonus Law and the Mello Act in the Coastal Zone. The measure, introduced by Assemblymember Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) clarifies that a project cannot be found inconsistent with the Coastal Act merely because it receives a density increase under state law. This long-held interpretation of Density Bonus Law had recently come under question and been litigated in Kalnel Gardens, LLC v. City of Los Angeles.

“Density bonuses play a critical role in encouraging developers to build affordable housing,” said Assemblymember Bloom.

Cities may not prosecute homeless people for sleeping outside if they have no access to shelter

09/05/2018 9:42 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Prosecuting homeless people for sleeping on public property when they have no access to shelter violates the Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment, a federal appeals court decided Tuesday.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously overturned a district court decision in favor of the city of Boise, Idaho, in a case in which homeless people challenged two city ordinances that barred them from staying overnight on public property.

Rent Control Could Change Dramatically As Millions Of Dollars Pour Into Proposition 10 Debate

09/05/2018 9:37 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

California voters this fall will decide on Proposition 10, a statewide ballot initiative that would allow cities and counties to greatly expand rent control.

Supporters argue the measure is needed to slow the state’s ever-increasing rents. But there’s strong debate about whether Prop. 10 is the right answer to the state’s affordable-housing crisis.

The measure would repeal the state’s Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, which prevents cities from putting a cap on rents for apartments built since the law went into effect in 1995. And it exempts condos and single-family homes from any rent control.

No on Prop 10

09/05/2018 9:24 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Prop 10 has too many flaws and will make the housing crisis worse.

Read More: https://prop10flaws.com/p 10 has too many flaws and will make the housing crisis worse.

Major Housing Reform Passes California State Senate

09/04/2018 10:03 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

On Wednesday, August 29, the California State Senate approved Assemblymember Richard Bloom’s (D-Santa Monica) measure to reform the process for determining and apportioning regional housing needs. AB 1771 makes several changes to the Regional Housing Needs Allocation process, including requiring the regional distribution to be more data-driven and equitable.

Read More on pg. 8: http://backissues.smdp.com/090418.pdf

Council approves cell phone antennas on residential streets

09/04/2018 9:58 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

City Council has denied a pair of appeals that would have prevented the construction of new cell antennas in residential neighborhoods.

Residents objected to the installation of the new technology on the 900 block of 18th street and the 2200 block of 23rd street but Council said appeals were either overruled by federal mandates or lacked a basis in current municipal code.

The appeals cited health concerns related to function of the towers, aesthetic problems, concerns over depressed real estate values, alleged problems with the permitting process and questions of the future maintenance of the antennas.

Updated Santa Monica-Malibu School District Credit Ratings to Save Taxpayers $10 Million

09/04/2018 9:44 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

August 31, 2018 -- The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District got a boost from the nation's top credit agencies as it prepares to place a record $680 million in bonds on the November ballot, District officials announced Friday.

S & P Global upgraded the district's rating to ‘AA+’ on existing general obligation bonds, while Moody’s Investors Service affirmed it highest rating -- ‘Aaa’ -- for the second year in a row.

The new ratings are expected to save taxpayers nearly $10 million over the life of the bonds by lowering borrowing costs, District officials said.

Rent control is the surest way to stop new affordable housing

09/04/2018 9:32 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

For months, the city of Sacramento has been in the throes of a heated debate over the city’s affordable housing problem, its root cause and potential solutions – highlighted by two workshops arranged by the mayor.

At an initial session held Aug. 14, there was general agreement that the root cause is a lack of supply. There also was consensus about the remedy: Build more units, and faster,through new funding sources and incentives to attract private-sector investment.

What went glaringly unsaid is that the surest way to kill new investment in affordable housing is to impose an artificial rent cap on the market, even a temporary one.

Read more here: https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-ed/soapbox/article217648110.html#storylink=cpy

Californians — resist the rent-control temptation

09/04/2018 9:19 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Opinion

But as tempting as it is simply to use price regulation to clamp down on housing costs, it’s a temptation voters should resist.

In the run-up to the Nov. 6 election, voters will hear what have already become familiar arguments: The surest route to lower housing costs is increased housing supply. Private owners should not be asked to provide what amounts to a subsidy. For those unconvinced, however, it’s worth looking at rent control through another lens — how it actually works.

Ode to the Future of My City

08/31/2018 1:31 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

SM a.r.t.

I continue to wander and ask -is our quality of life and beachfront environment improving, is Santa Monica flourishing or floundering?

Residents want responsible growth. The business community wants unbridled growth and has successfully commandeered Council, city commissions, and staff.

How did this happen – City Council of amateurs, Commissions riddled with political appointments, and a relatively incompetent, overpaid staff? An audit committee disbanded while council approves public restrooms costing $5,000 a square foot – kid you not! A city hall annex costing an extra $80 million including financing –three times what it should cost! And the range of problems continue unabated – rents, home prices, crime, homelessness, traffic, city budget, infrastructure, empty storefronts.