Nearly 300 apartments built for unhoused people are sitting empty in the city of Los Angeles more than two months after being declared ready for move in, largely due to longstanding bureaucratic rules.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/hundreds-of-la-apartments-built-to-ease-homelessness-are-sitting-empty/ar-AA1foznW?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=41fa074696ff46f59667184c744e8dfc&ei=36

By Houman Hemmati MD PhD

Instead of spending potentially $1 billion or more to house our approximately 1,000 homeless (1000 X $1 million/homeless) in Santa Monica by building new ocean-adjacent condos on the most expensive land on earth, imagine if we used a fraction of that sum to provide permanent fully-OWNED housing for our homeless in Detroit, offering them the dignity of homeownership, immediate housing security, and a fresh start.

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2023/08/17/opinion/a-sustainable-affordable-and-compassionate-solution-for-our-homeless-crisis/7744.html

Responding to pleas from Mayor Karen Bass and city and county housing officials, HUD has agreed to exempt local housing providers from the rules that required applicants to produce identification and document their homeless status and income before moving into their apartments.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/los-angeles-mayor-karen-bass-scores-a-u-s-policy-shift-to-expedite-homeless-housing/ar-AA1fllZA?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=fc3e5ec6bf324306a1734ad1a86fb68a&ei=19

Under current law, evictions are prohibited without just cause, however a “no-fault” just cause classification exists that allows an owner to occupy the property either themselves, or an occupancy by the owner’s spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents or grandparents. Currently under advisement by the state’s Appropriations Committee, SB 567 would amend current law to require the property owner, partner or family member to occupy the property for a minimum of 12 continuous months as the person’s primary residence. 

Read More: https://smdp.com/2023/08/15/eviction-loophole-restriction-broached-by-state-legislature/

How has all this happened to our city and what if anything can we do about it? As a result of the rapidly rising crime, drugs and homelessness violence The Shores Residents Association (TSRA) has invited Council Member Phil Brock to hold a Town Hall here outlining plans of the council to stem these horrific developments. 

Read Moe on page 5: https://s3.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/081223.pdf

The prevailing dynamics take on even greater significance in a year marked by stock market rebounds and the flourishing of the artificial intelligence industry within the state, giving rise to new fortunes. Concurrently, growing disparities between workers and executives have positioned California at the heart of the resurgent labor movement in the United States. Strikes have reverberated from hotel staff near Disneyland to dockworkers, nurses, Hollywood writers, and actors, all demanding equitable compensation.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2023/08/californias-dichotomy-rising-numbers-of-ultra-rich-residents-amidst-deepening-inequality/

A substantial portion of this space will be designated for a new Vons outlet. Moreover, a raised courtyard spanning 30,000 square feet will be a central feature of the building. As a prerequisite for approval, Related California will be obligated to allocate 84 of the newly constructed apartments for lease at rates below the prevailing market rates. These units will have occupancy restrictions applicable to households with earnings ranging between 30 percent of the local median income and the threshold of moderate income. Oversight of the new affordable units will be managed by the Community Corp. of Santa Monica

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2023/08/excavation-underway-for-mixed-use-project-with-280-apartments-above-vons-supermarket/

The School District on Friday unveiled a nearly $227 million plan -- excluding the purchase cost -- to renovate and re-adapt the Civic Auditorium

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2023/August-2023/08_11_2023_School_District_Releases_Plan_for_Civic_Auditorium.html

In February, Maywood issued a 60-day rent freeze, then extended it through September. On July 26, the City Council approved a rent stabilization ordinance to take effect when the rent freeze ends, limiting annual rent increases on all units to 4%.

Maywood’s efforts mirror those in the neighboring cities of Bell Gardens and Cudahy.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/southeast-l-a-county-cities-enact-rent-control-to-keep-residents-housed/ar-AA1ffNpa?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=fb42249783e74056bd0bc8e4d567c9c6&ei=31

he sign, sponsored by the Santa Monica Coalition, accuses City Manager David White of making Santa Monica synonymous with meth by supporting the needle distribution program in the city's public parks

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2023/08/10/news/santa-methica-is-not-safe-reads-new-sign-on-the-santa-monica-promenade/7735.html