ACTION Apartment Association

Median Santa Monica Rents Increase In April

05/08/2023 12:10 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Median Rent In Santa Monica Increased by 0.8 Percent In April, Marking The Second Consecutive Monthly Increase After a Six-Month Decline.

WS Could Pull 13 'Builder's Remedy' Projects Under Proposed Settlement Agreement

05/08/2023 11:55 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The proposed settlement agreement gives WS "the option to suspend the BR Project applications, and, instead, file thirteen new multi-family housing projects that would qualify for ministerial approvals" under the City's Housing Element, according to City Attorney Doug Sloan.

If WS agrees, "the City would process the new applications on an expedited basis," and "the housing built by the owners will satisfy a significant portion of the City’s regional housing needs," Sloan wrote in his report to the Council.

SMa.r.t Column: Parking Wars

05/08/2023 11:48 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Mobility Landscape Has Started To Abruptly Change In Santa Monica Because Of New State Laws Banning Parking Minimums In New Developments.

EV Charging for Renters and Rental Property Owners

05/05/2023 9:05 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

California state law (Civil Code section 1947.6) requires landlords to approve tenant requests to install EV charging stations in their dedicated parking spaces so long as the tenant is willing to pay for the charging station and associated costs, including installation and utility costs. However, there are several exceptions to this law, including properties where:

Landlords have installed EV charging stations in at least 10% of the designated parking spaces;
Tenants are not provided parking in their lease agreement;
There are fewer than five parking spaces; and
The unit is covered by a local rent control ordinance and a local EV charging station ordinance that was adopted on or before January 1, 2018.

Santa Monica's Homeless Numbers Rise After COVID-Driven Drop

05/05/2023 8:58 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A total of 926 individuals were counted during this year's homeless census in Santa Monica, an increase over last year but fewer than were counted in 2019, according to results released by the City Thursday.

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2023/05/04/santa-monica-releases-2023-homeless-count-results-and-previews-recommended-approach-to-homelessness

Council Set to Fill Newly Created Tax Advisory Committee

05/05/2023 8:50 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Five applicants are vying to sit on a newly formed committee that will advise the City Council on how to use more than $4 million a year to fund "on-going urgent community priorities."

The funds are generated by Measure CS, a bed tax hike overwhelmingly approved by local voters in November that will provide revenues targeted to enhance public safety and address homelessness.

Grant Funding on Tuesday's Agenda

05/04/2023 10:30 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City Council on Tuesday is expected to give the go-ahead to seek a $5 million housing grant from the State and to hand out more than $10 million in human services grants.

The City received a total of 31 program proposals that totaled $11.6 million and has $10,146,000 in funding available for the upcoming four-year cycle that ends in June 2027, according to City staff.

California’s next housing crackdown could force cities to plan more homeless shelters

05/02/2023 1:52 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A bill working its way through the Legislature could change that, and potentially lead to sanctions against local governments that fail to plan for the needs of homeless Californians.

Senate Bill 7 would — for the first time — require cities and counties to plan enough beds for everyone living without a place to call home.

Cash-Strapped City Faces Record Pension Deficit

05/02/2023 1:41 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City of Santa Monica is facing an unfunded pension liability of nearly half a billion dollars as it struggles to recover from the coronavirus shutdown and pay a $122.5 million settlement approved by the City Council last week.

Los Angeles rents declined during March

05/01/2023 8:34 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The real estate website, which evaluated prices in Los Angeles, Long Beach and Anaheim, also found rent prices in the area had dipped approximately 0.9% from February to March. San Francisco, Riverside-San Bernardino and Sacramento also saw rent decreases ranging from .8% to 5.3%, according to the website.