It is admitted there were flaws in the original TORCA which the Santa Monica Housing Commission’s proposed ‘TORCA 2.0’ is explicitly designed to fix. TORCA 2.0 will allow non-profits to buy rent control buildings that are offered for sale, and will then offer to sell to tenants the units they are renting, at prices affordable to even the lowest incomes. And renters can choose to buy without timelimits, at any time in the future. Renters who do not wish to buy can continue renting under rent-control and will then be permanently protected from Ellis or owner-movein evictions. 

Read More on page 5: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/100623.pdf

When Elizabeth Hirschhorn's Airbnb stay ended in April 2022, she simply didn't move out. She’s been living there rent-free ever since, and she refused to budge unless Jovanovic paid her a relocation fee of $100,000, according to a settlement offer reviewed by The Times.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/the-tenant-from-hell-she-checked-into-a-luxury-airbnb-then-refused-to-pay-or-leave-it-s-been-540-days/ar-AA1hG5SL?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=17b0bf0b645042b8ba147abe6fbe9690&ei=18

The City Council last week gave the go-ahead to execute an exclusive negotiating agreement that could result in the largest residential development in Santa Monica history.

Affordable housing developer AMCAL Multi-Housing, Inc. -- which was chosen from among 11 bidders -- is proposing a 338-unit project on a 1.85-acre site on City owned land near the Expo terminus Downtown, a company representative told the Council.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2023/October-22023/10_02_2023_City_to_Begin_Negotiating_Record_570_Unit_Project.html

Under the new law, landlords moving into their units or renting to family also must identify the people moving in. In addition, the rental must be occupied within three months of eviction and they must live in the unit for at least a year. Those who evict tenants to renovate properties must include copies of permits or contracts, among other details, when serving eviction notices.

Landlords who do not follow through will have to allow evicted tenants to move back under the original lease terms.

Read More: https://smdp.com/2023/10/01/newsom-signs-law-to-bolster-eviction-protections-for-renters/

The private security company set to take over patrols in Downtown Santa Monica has withdrawn from the contract after concerns were raised over an individual who is or was affiliated with the company. 

Read More: https://smdp.com/2023/09/29/private-security-company-quits-dtsm-contract/

John Alle, co-founder of Santa Monica Coalition, was attacked in Palisades Park while filming.

See Video: https://smmirror.com/2023/09/video-interview-with-downtown-activist-on-being-attacked-by-homeless-suspect/

Bucking a nationwide trend, Santa Monica rents rose 2.1 percent in September, but the rate of growth has flattened after soaring last year, according to the latest monthly report by Apartment List.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2023/September-2023/09_27_2023_Local_Rents_Continue_Rising_Amid_Nationwide_Drop.html

The ordinances make the following updates to the Santa Monica Municipal Code:

• Property Maintenance and Vacant Properties: Creates new chapters in the city’s municipal code dedicated to property maintenance and vacant properties that require property owners to meet more stringent standards for their properties and give code enforcement staff more authority to enforce violations.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/recent-public-safety-ordinances-support-a-clean-and-safe-santa-monica

City helps provide unpaid back rent to low-income renters at risk of homelessness

Read More: https://www.dailynews.com/2023/09/19/los-angeles-launches-applications-for-emergency-rental-assistance/

Plans for a mixed-use development set to grace the corner of 26th Street and Wilshire Boulevard were unveiled for the Santa Monica Architectural Review Board, Urbanize LA reported.

The proposal, a brainchild of Mark Leevan Investment Co., is planned for 2600 Wilshire Boulevard which currently houses a New Balance store.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2023/09/40-unit-mixed-use-project-proposed-for-26th-street-intersection/