ACTION Apartment Association

City Council Approves Land Use Amendments

03/24/2023 2:29 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica City Council took action to implement the City’s certified 6th Cycle Housing Element. City Council adopted amendments to the City’s Land Use Documents (Land Use and Circulation Element [LUCE], Bergamot Area Plan [BAP], Downtown Community Plan [DCP], Zoning Ordinance, and General Plan Land Use Map and Zoning Districting Map) to align with the Certified Housing Element and State-assigned housing allocation. Zoning code changes will go into effect 30 days after the second reading scheduled on April 11, 2023.

Little Progress Moving Needle Exchange Program Indoors

03/24/2023 9:11 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

More than six months after former Mayor Sue Himmelrich requested that the County move a program that hands out clean needles to drug users indoors, the effort has reached a standstill.

In the interim, residents are continuing to express frustration with the overdose prevention program; a letter posted on Action Network calling for its end was sent by more than 3,600 people as of Thursday.

City Council Puts Plan for Use of Parking Lots for Affordable Housing in Motion

03/21/2023 9:02 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A resolution to this effect was brought to the chamber with the intention of the Council adopting it so the project can move forward. The sites are located at 1217 Euclid Street, 1211-1217 14th Street and 1146 16th Street.

New Affordable Housing Complex Completed in Santa Monica’s Pico Neighborhood

03/20/2023 9:02 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The four-story building, located at 1834-1848 14th Street in the Pico neighborhood, offers a total of 73 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. The complex also features a below-grade garage that provides parking for both residents and commercial users.

SMa.r.t. Column: Going Bare

03/20/2023 8:57 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A year of Exposure
That means that our latest AHMP expired in 2022, and for the last year we have been going bare, being effectively uninsured. Paradoxically not having a federally approved AHMP is analogous to, but is the exact opposite of not having a California Housing and Community Development approved housing element. When you don’t have a State approved housing element, developers can build anything anywhere (the so-called Builder’s Remedy) with no local recourse. While when you don’t have a federally approved AHMP, a disaster can destroy any building or infrastructure anywhere in your City and you have no repair recourse.

City of Santa Monica is Aware of LA County's Needle Exchange Program

03/17/2023 3:04 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

"We are in in almost constant discussions with the County about their needle exchange program, and how to get the help we need from the County."

Brock said that the City of Santa Monica would like to convince LA County to move its needle exchange program indoors, to a clinic or other building. LA County and staff from the Venice Family Clinic who run the program, however, believe it's best to reach the addicted homeless population in Santa Monica's parks.

After 7 Years, Voting Rights Lawsuit Could Be Decided Soon

03/15/2023 10:36 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In a letter Thursday, the Clerk and Executive Officer of the Court advised attorneys for the two parties that oral arguments will be heard "within the next few months."

"Once the court files an order setting this case for oral argument, that date will not be changed absent exceptional cause, such as a medical emergency," wrote Jorge E. Navarrete.

Council Creates Department to Focus on Housing and Homelessness

03/14/2023 11:45 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

After once again declaring homelessness its top priority, the City Council on Saturday unanimously directed staff to create a new department and allocate new tax dollars to tackle the persistent problem.

Raising rent 10% is too much, says lawmaker proposing California bill to prevent more homelessness

03/13/2023 9:49 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Sen. Durazo's SB 567 would boost safeguards for renters under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019

City Council Adopts Priorities and Provides Direction for 2023-2025

03/13/2023 9:38 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica City Council held a special session to set council priorities for the next two years to guide the development of the 2023-2025 biennial budget. In a unanimous vote, the City Council adopted the following as the most important areas of focus:

Addressing Homelessness: Prevent housed Santa Monicans from becoming homeless and increase the supply of affordable housing, address the behavioral health needs of vulnerable individuals and advocate for regional capacity to address homelessness.
Clean & Safe Santa Monica: Create an atmosphere marked by clean and safe public spaces and neighborhoods, including parks for recreation and leisure activities.