The bill allows new residential buildings of up to seven stories near major transit stops, which applies to most of Santa Monica's 8.3 square miles ("Bill to Boost Housing Near Transit Gets Council Backing," May 13, 2025).

Read More: https://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2025/July-2025/07_08_2025_Housing_Bill_Backed_by_Council_Clears_Hurdle.html

Sen. Aisha Wahab implored her colleagues to think of hospitalized patients and struggling families as she pitched a proposal to give tenants a full two weeks to pay their past due rent before their landlords could start the eviction process.

Read More: https://smdp.com/business/california-lawmakers-side-with-landlords-to-kill-renter-eviction-relief/

Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order extending emergency housing protections for survivors of the 2025 Los Angeles area wildfires, allowing them to remain in hotels and short-term rentals beyond the typical 30-day limit without being classified as tenants.

The extension runs through Oct. 1, 2025, continuing protections that were first implemented March 7 as part of the state's response to devastating wildfires that swept through the Los Angeles area earlier this year.

Read More: https://smdp.com/uncategorized/newsom-extends-emergency-housing-protections-for-la-fire-survivors-through-october/

The City Council’s adoption of the ban comes as the city grapples with a housing crunch exacerbated by January’s devastating Los Angeles County wildfires, which displaced thousands of residents and drove up demand for rental properties.

Read More on page 1: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/070225.pdf%0A

Despite the -0.7 percent drop last month, local rents have increased by 4.1 percent over the past 12 months, outpacing both the State's 1.5 percent rise and the nation's -0.7 percent dip.

Read More: https://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2025/July-2025/07_02_2025_Santa_Monica_Rents_%20Drop_in_June.html

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion to extend housing price gouging protections through July 31, 2025, for residents still displaced by the devastating January 2025 wildfires.

Read More on page 4: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/063025.pdf%0A

The 2025 4th of July Parade on Main Street in Santa Monica, organized by Jeffrey Jarow, Senior Vice President of PAR Commercial Brokerage, will celebrate the city's 150th anniversary of cityhood. Hosted by the Ocean Park Association, the parade begins at 9:30 a.m. on July 4, starting at Pico Boulevard and Main Street, proceeding south along Main Street, and concluding at Marine Street.

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2025/06/30/news/santa-monicas-2025-4th-of-july-main-street-parade-celebrating-150-years-of-cityhood/9111.html

John Allee, a Santa Monica business owner, has introduced a controversial new initiative aimed at addressing homelessness in Los Angeles County by offering unhoused individuals free one-way plane tickets to reunite with their families or return to their hometowns. The program, which has sparked both praise and debate, reflects Alle’s belief that reconnecting people with their support networks is a practical step toward reducing homelessness in the region.

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2025/06/30/news/span-classbrnwsbreaking-news-spansanta-monica-businessman-launches-program-offering-homeless-one-way-tickets-home/9109.html

The 194-foot-tall building exceeds local height limits by 109 feet under California’s Density Bonus Law

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2025/06/planning-commission-approves-18-story-residential-tower-on-6th-street-rejects-environmental-appeal/

Prioritizing Housing and Safety

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2025/06/santa-monica-adopts-793-3m-budget-for-fy25-27-prioritizing-housing-and-safety/