Nicknamed the “Left City” the political arena within the City’s boundaries is marked by a tenacious commitment to redistributive planning policies. In the early 1980s, the City of Santa Monica made national headlines as a pro-tenant coalition, Santa Monica for Renter Rights (SMRR), which was formed by low to moderate income residents. In 1981, they took over the majority of seats in the local government. (Gilderbloom 1992) For the next decade, Santa Monica’s residents continuously voted for progressives city council members, and thus the City was able to implement rent control policies that complied with guidelines set by renter’s associations. The heavy handed guidelines were due to a certain level of distrust with landlords in the late 70’s. (Gilderbloom 1992) However, despite the City’s policies, by the 1990s, Santa Monica had lost up to 1,000 affordable units due to changes in the state legislature.
Overall the rent control laws still had a great effect, allowing Santa Monica’s residents to save an estimate of $1.1 Billion from 1987 to 1997. (Gilderbloom 1992) A 1986 study forecasted the effects of the policies put into place to protect residents, in a matter of ten years from 1986, the average rent would rise from $458 to $631 (+37%), as opposed to a 145% increase from $458 to $1,123. (Gilderbloom 1992) Although, these laws have led the community to be primarily renters and not homeowners, however it does not seem to affect the amount of civic pride residents take in municipal affairs.
More recent reports according to the Rent Control Board Administrator, Tracy Condon, since 1999 forty percent of tenants are still living in rent control units which have not received market rate increases. Although from the chloropleth maps, it can be seen that average rent has significantly increased from $1,400 to $2,150 for a two bedroom apartment, the largest group of renters' incomes have also significantly increased, thereby rendering rent control moot. (The largest group of renters' in 2000 income was $50-70k/yr and in 2010 it was $100k-$150k/yr.) (Islas 2012)
Overall the rent control laws still had a great effect, allowing Santa Monica’s residents to save an estimate of $1.1 Billion from 1987 to 1997. (Gilderbloom 1992) A 1986 study forecasted the effects of the policies put into place to protect residents, in a matter of ten years from 1986, the average rent would rise from $458 to $631 (+37%), as opposed to a 145% increase from $458 to $1,123. (Gilderbloom 1992) Although, these laws have led the community to be primarily renters and not homeowners, however it does not seem to affect the amount of civic pride residents take in municipal affairs.
More recent reports according to the Rent Control Board Administrator, Tracy Condon, since 1999 forty percent of tenants are still living in rent control units which have not received market rate increases. Although from the chloropleth maps, it can be seen that average rent has significantly increased from $1,400 to $2,150 for a two bedroom apartment, the largest group of renters' incomes have also significantly increased, thereby rendering rent control moot. (The largest group of renters' in 2000 income was $50-70k/yr and in 2010 it was $100k-$150k/yr.) (Islas 2012)
References: Gilderbloom, John. "Santa Monica: A Decade Later: Urban Progressives In Office." Promoting Community Health (1992), http://progressivecities.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Santa_Monica_Capek_1992.pdf (accessed February 3, 2014).
Islas, Jason. "Nearly Two-Thirds of Santa Monica's Rent Control Units at Market Rate, Report Finds." The Lookout News, May 07, 2012, http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2012/May-2012/05_07_2012_Nearly_Two_Thirds_of_Santa_Monicas_Rent_Controlled_Units_at_Market_Rate.html (accessed April 8, 2014).
Islas, Jason. "Nearly Two-Thirds of Santa Monica's Rent Control Units at Market Rate, Report Finds." The Lookout News, May 07, 2012, http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2012/May-2012/05_07_2012_Nearly_Two_Thirds_of_Santa_Monicas_Rent_Controlled_Units_at_Market_Rate.html (accessed April 8, 2014).