Tag: california

SANTA MONICA—On Wednesday, January 22, the Santa Monica College Foundation announced that it is holding a 4-day distribution event to aid Los Angeles community members in need.

People impacted by the fires can come by the SMC Corsair Gym located at 1900 Pico Blvd. during the following hours to pick up food, clothing, hygiene products and other items donated by the community:

-Wednesday, January 22, 1 – 6 p.m.

-Thursday, January 23, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

-Friday, January 24, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

-Sunday, January 26, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Santa Monica Community College Disaster Support Fund has been established to support SMC students, faculty, and staff who have been impacted by the fires across Los Angeles County.

This fund will help provide temporary housing, food, water, clothing, transportation, medical supplies, school materials, and emergency funding to support immediate needs.

One-hundred percent of donations going to victims of the fires. They have set a goal of $250,000, and as of January 23 they have obtained over $157,000 in donations.

To learn more or donate at: smc.edu/disastersupport.

By Trevor

WEST HOLLYWOOD—The city of West Hollywood announced on its social media platform that it will participate in the Great California Shakeout Earthquake Drill on Thursday, October 17. The drill will take place at 10:17 a.m.

The Great California ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is part of International ShakeOut Day, which is recognized globally each year on the third Thursday of October.

Practice critical earthquake safety by learning to Drop, Cover, and Hold On
-Drop to your hands and knees to avoid being knocked down
-Cover your head and neck

To prepared individuals should hold on to a sturdy shelter until the shaking stops.

To learn more visit: https://go.weho.org/3BGS42n. Other cities participating in the drill include Beverly Hills, Malibu and Santa Monica.

By Trevor

Polling in CA-32 Shows Thompson (R) Gaining Fast

WOODLAND HILLS, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES—August 26, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — Rep. Brad Sherman (CA-32) has been in Congress for 14 terms (28 years). As a Democrat in a deep blue California district, he has had very little competition for almost three decades…until now. Out of the wild west, Larry Thompson, also known as “The Sanity Man,” has ridden into town claiming “this used to be Reagan Country and I’m running for Congress to take it back for him.”

Thompson’s call to arms has found serious traction among voters and is threatening Sherman’s stronghold.

California’s District 32 encompasses the communities of Bel-Air, Bell Canyon, Beverly Glen, Brentwood, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Encino, Malibu, North Hills, Northridge, Pacific Palisades, Reseda, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Tarzana, Topanga, West Hills, Winnetka, and Woodland Hills. The district traditionally trends Democratic by a large margin of 70-30. Door-to-door campaign polling shows Thompson pulling up close to 50-50.

With national political fatigue, a divisive country full of hatred, fear of a World War, inflation, a local rise in Anti-Semitism, continued homelessness, increasing crime in the San Fernando Valley, disrespect for law and order and the police, and Bel-Air’s privacy being threatened by an underground rail to possibly be built connecting Ventura Boulevard to Westwood, voters are deciding to accept the need for change, and, instead of faithfully and blindly voting their party line, they are deciding to break ranks and simply vote their values. Thompson argues that he upholds those values and is ready to go to work to install or restore them.

When asked yesterday at this year’s final Summer Concert at Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills why he thinks his campaign is doing so well, Thompson answered, “Well, I am running for Congress to awaken, organize, and unite the canceled conservative voter, the dissatisfied Democrat voter, and the undecided No Party Preference voter. I want them to no longer feel alone, defeated, and scared. I ask that they have courage, stand up, and join me and those who share their values and vision of our country. I want everyone to simply use Common Sense with Common Civility to find Common Ground to solve our Common Issues. Let’s start a new conversation to finally stop the fighting, regain our ‘Sanity,’ and get something done. Politics have become insane. I’m the ‘Sanity Man.'”

For further information, contact:
Robert G. Endara II
12021 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 614
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 288-0700

E-mail: larry@larrythompsonforcongress.com
Website: www.LarryThompsonForCongress.com
Please click on the following link to download the photo of Congressional Candidate Larry Thompson campaigning at Warner Center Park Concert: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/ii467pBEwt
Please click on the following link to download the photo of Congressman Brad Sherman (D) was a no-show at the Warner Center Park Concert: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/C6r36bimEM
Courtesy of Larry Thompson For Congress

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Written By Larry Thompson For Congress

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Thursday, May 23, the city of West Hollywood announced in a news release that it received a Prohousing Designation from the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for its efforts to increase development of housing at all income levels. The designation was announced by the Governor of California in April 2024. Prohousing Designation comes with funding incentives and additional resources that can help to speed housing production. West Hollywood is one of only 47 jurisdictions in the State of California to earn the designation.

With the Governor’s announcement, the Department of Housing and Community Development noted the following regarding West Hollywood’s Prohousing Designation: “The City of West Hollywood’s Prohousing application shows a solid commitment to developing housing, supporting affordable units, and increasing its housing supply. Within the R-1 zone, which is the most prevalent throughout the city, West Hollywood permits duplexes and triplexes by right in transit-priority, high-resource, and highest-resource areas. The city also has an Affordable Housing Trust Fund used to support nonprofit development projects, with a requirement that at least 60% of units be affordable to low- and moderate-income households and at least 20% dedicated to low-income households. Similarly, the city now waives fees for housing projects in high-resource areas when more than 25% of units are affordable, and for development projects owned or occupied by nonprofit organizations.”

According to a news release from the city of West Hollywood, it administers $2.9 million in FY 2023 General Fund monies to assist with the rent stabilization housing program of 17,175 units throughout the region.

By earning the HCD Prohousing Designation, West Hollywood joins California communities designated as Prohousing in being able to exclusively access Prohousing grants and additional points in the scoring of competitive housing, community development, and infrastructure funding programs administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

To meet the housing needs of all Californians, the State of California needs to plan for 2.5 million new homes over the next 8 years, with at least one million serving the needs of lower-income residents.

West Hollywood’s Long Range Planning Division works to advance housing as part of its efforts to manage policy development and strategic planning activities for Sustainability, Mobility, Housing, Land Use, and special strategic planning projects. For additional details about West Hollywood’s Long Range Planning efforts, visit www.weho.org/lrp.

For more details contact Francisco Contreras, West Hollywood Long Range Planning Manager, at (323) 848-6874 or at fcontreras@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, call TTY (323) 848-6496.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—On May 8, the city of Beverly Hills announced on its website that on May 1, the city of Beverly Hills was notified by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) that its revised draft Housing Element that was adopted March 18, 2024, and submitted for review on March 19, 2024, was in substantial compliance with the State Housing Element Law.

“We are pleased that our efforts were recognized and received formal certification by HCD,” said Michael Forbes, Director of Community Development. “I commend the intensive work of our City Staff working closely with HCD during the process and we look forward to implementing the plan’s programs as soon as possible.”

The State of California requires that each jurisdiction’s housing element be updated every eight years and certified by the State. Beverly Hills updated its Housing Element for the 2021 to 2029 period. A major component of this update is the 6th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment (“RHNA”), in which the State estimates each region’s housing needs for all income groups.

The city of Beverly Hills is continuing to review plans and issue building permits for all types of projects. To learn more and view the certification letter, visit beverlyhills.org/housingelementupdate.

By Trevor

MALIBU—On April 25, the city of Malibu announced that it will be allowing the development of 79 housing units, 47 which are required to be affordable to low-and very low-income homes. The housing plan is expected to be adopted by September 23, 2024. It is a settlement with California Attorney General Rob Bonta, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Director Gustavo Velasquez allowing the city to reach compliance with the state’s Housing Element Law.

The agreement, which is in the form of a proposed stipulated judgment and must be approved by the court, is related to California’s sixth “housing element update cycle” for the 2021-2029 time period.

Under the state’s Housing Element Law, each city and county in California must periodically update its housing plan to meet its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), or share of the regional and statewide housing needs. Located in Los Angeles County, Malibu was required to update its housing plan by October 15, 2021 to accommodate its 79-unit RHNA target. The city submitted a Housing Element Update in 2022, but was not found to substantially comply. After receiving a notice of violation from the state, the city and state conferred in good faith to chart a course for the city to attain compliance.

“Malibu is a community that holds both tremendous need for affordable housing, and tremendous opportunity. This agreement provides an enforceable contract to ensure those housing needs are met,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “We are very appreciative to the City of Malibu for working with us to create this path to compliance with state housing law, and my team will provide every resource to help them be successful in that effort.”

“We understand the importance of adhering to the State’s housing element law and are dedicated to fulfilling our obligations,” said Steve Uhring, Mayor of Malibu. “Despite the challenges we’ve encountered, such as the devastation of the Woolsey Fire and the issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and staff turnover, our partnership with HCD has been pivotal in guiding us toward a resolution. This settlement reflects the shared goal of the City and State of California to address housing needs effectively in our community.”

A compliant housing element must include an assessment of housing needs, an inventory of resources and constraints relevant to meeting those needs, and a program to implement the policies, goals, and objectives of the housing element. Once the housing element is adopted, it is implemented through zoning ordinances and other actions that put its objectives into effect and facilitate the construction of new homes for Californians at all income levels.

The housing element is a crucial tool for building housing for moderate, low, and very low-income Californians and redressing historical redlining and disinvestment. State income limits for what constitutes moderate, low, and very low-income Californians vary by county and can be found here. In Los Angeles County, the median income for a one-person household is $68,750. A one-person household that earns less than $70,650 is defined as low-income, and a one-person household that earns less than $44,150 is defined as very-low income.

Under the settlement:

Malibu will take several required actions to adopt a compliant housing element by September 23, 2024. The housing element process is typically lengthy — for example, local governments must meet certain public participation requirements and HCD must review every local government’s housing element to determine whether it complies with state law and provides written findings back to each local government — but Malibu has agreed to an expedited timeline and ensuring the public’s participation.

Malibu acknowledges that, until it has adopted a substantially compliant housing element, it may not deny certain low, very low, and moderate-income housing development projects based on the city’s current, outdated general plan and zoning code. This is known as the Builder’s Remedy.

The city of Malibu could be subject to monetary penalties if it remains noncompliant 12 months after the effective date of the stipulated judgment.

A copy of the petition and proposed judgment, which details the settlement terms and remains subject to court approval, can be viewed here and here.

By Trevor

MALIBU—On February 29, the city of Malibu disclosed that on February 7 the city submitted an updated 2021-2029 draft Housing Element to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review.

The city reported on its website that State Housing Element law requires that each City and County identify and analyze existing and projected housing needs within their jurisdictions, and prepare goals, policies, programs, and quantified objectives to further the development, improvement, and preservation of housing.

The updated Draft Housing Element was prepared in response to a letter from HCD dated March 22, 2022. If additional comments are received from HCD, any required revisions will be considered and the draft will be re-submitted. Once HCD indicates the Housing Element is in compliance, public hearings are held by the Planning Commission and City Council to consider the re-adoption of the Housing Element. Once the Council adopts the revised Housing Element it will be submitted to HCD for final certification.

The updated Draft Housing Element was available for public review and comment from January 8, 2024, through January 24, 2024. City staff held office hours for those with inquiries. In addition, Malibu City Council held a study session on the draft on January 17, 2024.

If additional comments are received from HCD, any required revisions to the Housing Element will be made and the draft will be re-submitted. Once HCD indicates the Housing Element is in compliance, public hearings will be held by the Planning Commission and City Council to consider the re-adoption of the Housing Element. Once the City Council adopts the revised Housing Element it will be submitted to HCD for certification.

The four major and required components of the Housing Element are the following:

-Housing Needs Assessment: An analysis of the City’s demographic, household and housing characteristics and related housing needs.

-Housing Constraints: A review of potential market, governmental, and infrastructure constraints to meeting the City’s identified housing needs.

-Housing Resources: An evaluation of residential sites and financial resources available to address the City’s housing goals.

-The Housing Plan: A plan for addressing the City’s identified housing needs, constraints, and resources through housing goals, policies and programs.

Malibu, along with all jurisdictions in California, is mandated by California State Government Code Sections 65580 to 65589 to prepare Housing Element updates to its General Plan for State certification within a specified timeframe covering a range of years to reflect the most recent trends in demographics and employment that may affect existing and future housing demand and supply. The city of Malibu Housing Element must be updated and certified every 8 years.

The State of California Housing Element Law, enacted in 1969, mandates that local governments adequately plan to meet the existing and projected housing needs of the community in all economic levels. Included in this State law is the requirement that local governments adopt land use plans and regulatory systems that provide opportunities for, and do not unduly constrain, housing development.

Each city in California is required to plan for new housing to accommodate a share of regional needs. The Regional Housing Needs Assessment (“RHNA”) is the process established in State law by which each city’s housing needs are determined. Malibu falls within the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) for purposes of this process. SCAG has made the final RHNA allocation assigned to each member city for the October 2021 through October 2029 planning period available at its website.

For a complete history of Malibu’s Housing Element, visit the Housing Element History webpage.

By Trevor