Santa Monica is a primarily affluent city with excellent public transportation and a high walkability score. Great public schools, universities, and colleges abound in our vicinity. We are surrounded by incredible natural beauty, and the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Mountains are adjacent. We are perhaps one of the world’s most significant centers for the arts, and the creative energy is palpable. However, the social ill of homelessness, the high propensity of crime against residents and visitors, the decrease in our tree canopy, increased density, lack of civility in our civil discourse, and extreme pollution in our air and ocean disrupt the happiness index in Santa Monica.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2025/04/sm-a-r-t-column-the-worlds-happiest-cities/

The community verdict is in on including housing on the 192 acres of open land slated to be converted into a "great park" when the airport closes at the end of 2028.

According to the highly anticipated results of an online survey released by the City Wednesday, "community members were divided on whether or not they would like to see housing on the future site."

Read More: https://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2025/May-2025/05_22_2025_Survey_Shows_Division_Over_Airport_Housing.html

The proposed ordinance would cover the governing boards of three nonprofit organizations that play a critical role in Santa Monica's economy -- Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM), Santa Monica Travel and Tourism Inc. (SMTT) and the Santa Monica Pier Corporation, Inc. (SMPC).

Read More: https://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2025/April-2025/04_15_2025_Proposed_Ordinance_Requires_Council_Appoint_Residents.html

A rental registry is a city-maintained database of all rental units and property owners.

Read More: https://smdp.com/opinion/santa-monica-needs-a-rental-registry-now/

Landlords looking to protect themselves from disputes and potential lawsuits should consider giving each tenant a rent receipt after every payment.

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2025/04/15/lifestyle/state-laws-require-rent-receipts-did-you-give-or-get-one-this-month/8921.html

The January 2025 wildfires that devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena left an indelible mark on Los Angeles County. Beyond the immediate human tragedy lies a critical juncture for community planning and policy development. As climate scientists project increasing wildfire intensity and frequency in coming decades, the rebuilding process represents a rare opportunity to implement forward-thinking approaches that enhance community resilience against future disasters.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2025/04/sm-a-r-t-column-part-ii-rebuilding-resilient-communities-policy-and-planning-after-the-fires/

Among the new provisions, property owners who commit five or more violations within a 12-month period of tenant protection codes, housing anti-discrimination codes, or building regulations would be subject to enhanced penalties. Other additions include making illegal subdivisions of dwelling units and failing to comply with the city's mandatory seismic retrofit program public nuisances.

Read More: https://smdp.com/business/real-estate-housing/council-approves-new-tools-to-target-nuisance-properties/

Since April 4, the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) opened the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) waiting list to provide assistance to up to 50 individuals or families displaced by the fires. The application window will close once 300 applications have been received.

The HCV program, also known as Section 8

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2025/04/county-offers-housing-vouchers-to-wildfire-survivors/

The ordinance would add new classes of violations that may be deemed public nuisances, including property owners who commit five or more housing code violations within a 12-month period, businesses that employ harassing tactics, and property owners who fail to comply with mandatory seismic retrofit programs.

Read More: https://smdp.com/government-politics-2/deliquent-property-owners-could-face-new-fines-under-expanded-nuisance-law/

This development at 1441 is almost directly opposite another construction project already well underway at 1430 Lincoln Blvd, arguably among the more modest of the various projects along this small stretch of road that also include 710 Broadway and 1527 Lincoln Blvd.

Read More: https://smdp.com/business/development/new-plans-unveiled-for-housing-development-at-1441-lincoln-blvd/