July 11, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Renters Protections on Nov. Ballot:

Santa Monica’s City Council unanimously approved placing a measure on the November ballot that could enhance protections for all Santa Monica tenants by amending the City’s charter.

If the measure passes, all of the City’s property owners would have to give their tenants reasonable time to correct rental agreement violations, except for non-payment of rent. The measure requires that a landlord establish good cause to evict any tenant. It also prohibits the eviction of the elderly, disabled, and terminally ill tenants for owner-occupancy unless the owner who wants to live in that property is also elderly, disabled, or terminally ill.

“I’ve decided to change my mind and vote to place this on the ballot,” said Council member Robert Holbrook, prior to the vote. “I thought originally it was not necessary because it could be done by ordinance. However, I’m still very concerned that the apartment owner groups will attack this measure.”

Council member McKeown noted, “We’ve regularly returned to the voters in reviewing such housing protections by doing so as local circumstances and needs have evolved. In the last few years, I’ve seen in the annual Rent Control Board reports increasing indications that circumstances have changed so there was a need to consider better protection for residents and look again at our policies for housing stability in Santa Monica.”

Council member Richard Bloom stressed, “This measure reflects what responsible landlords are already doing.”

The community members that spoke also were supportive of the ballot measure. Valarie Griffin, the Chair of the Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Group, told the council “The Wilshire/Montana neighborhood is filled with multi-family housing. Some are affordable. Others are market-rate. All of these homes contribute to the diversity of our neighborhood. All of them deserve the protection described in proposed Charter amendments.”

She also pointed out that, “While some measure of protection could be enacted by ordinance, not all renters could be covered by an ordinance. Also, an ordinance could not be undone by a future city council, so the protection would be harder to remove in the future” if done by a charter amendment.

Santa Monica College District Board of Trustees member Andrew Waizer, told of a “terrifying experience” he had with his landlord who threatened to evict him because he was storing some items outside of his unit.

Marilyn Wilson emphasized, “This is not really a controversial issue, it’s a just issue.”

The council then agreed that Mayor Bobby Shriver and/or Council member Richard Bloom would submit arguments and rebuttals for the measure because neither of them is running for re-election in November. They also directed the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis of the measure.

in News
<>Related Posts

L.A. Louver Marks David Hockney’s 88th with Exhibit

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hockney, a British artist born in 1937, gained fame with the British Pop Art movement and later became known for...

Suspect Arrested in Shoe Retail Theft Spree Across LA County

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

During the search, police recovered two firearms and a significant quantity of merchandise The Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Retail...

Suspect Arrested in Santa Monica Pier Arson Incidents

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The suspect, matching video footage from an arcade, was taken into custody Santa Monica Police Department officers arrested a suspect...

SMPD Launch New Recruitment Website Amid High Vacancy Rates

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The site features multimedia content, including day-in-the-life videos and officer profiles, highlighting the impact of serving the community The Santa...

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Santa Monica Joins Regional Lawsuit to Halt Unconstitutional ICE Raids

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The motion to intervene seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in...

Promenade Restaurant Introduces Lunch Menu Set at $18 Per Person

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The fixed $18 price point targets commuters and those seeking a power lunch or a change of scenery The restaurant...

Santa Monica Council Votes in Support of Park-Centric Future at Airport Site

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

‘Adoptapalooza’ Pet Adoption Festival Returns to Main Street This Weekend

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The free, family-friendly event aims to connect adoptable animals with new owners Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center will host...

Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The agency, to be run by political appointees, would manage permitting, development, zoning, and funding, modeled after post-disaster recoveries Los...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

Saint Monica Prep Students Win Award for Anti-Street Racing PSA Video

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The winning public service announcement, titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @LADOTofficial  Students from...

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...