| A message from SMRR as we adapt to the recommendations of local and statewide health and safety officials during the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) health pandemic. SMRR will continue to be there for you if you have questions about renting in Santa Monica or have problems understanding your rights as a tenant in Santa Monica. Three important things we’d like you to know: |
| First: On March 14th, the City of Santa Monica issued a temporary moratorium on evictions for non payment of rent by residential tenants impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), effective immediately. During the period of local emergency that has been declared in response to COVID-19, a landlord cannot evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent if the tenant is unable to pay rent due to financial impacts related to COVID-19 including: being sick with COVID-19, lay-off or loss of income due to employer impacts, compliance with the government state of emergency, extraordinary out of pocket medical expenses, or child care needs. More details, including information about water bills and parking violations, can be found in the City’s order at this link: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2020/03/14/city-of-santa-monica-issues-temporary-moratorium-on-evictions-for-non-payment-of-rent-by-residential-tenants-impacted-by-the-novel-coronavirus-covid-19.For more information regarding our City’s response to the COVID-19 health crisis please visit this website: https://www.santamonica.gov/coronavirus Second: During this local state of emergency, SMRR has temporarily halted it’s door-to-door canvassing operation throughout Santa Monica until we have received clear signs that we can resume these outreach and fundraising efforts. Our top priority is the health and safety of Santa Monicans and their homes. Our work on behalf of our community to protect renters and strengthen renters rights locally, regionally and statewide will continue. Our Tenant Hotline is always open at 310-394-0848 and our amazing Hotline Team is available to answer your questions. You can also reach us by email at [email protected]. While we will adjust to communicating with you, our members, via email, phone, our website and even video conference if necessary, our work for you won’t stop during this time. Our team of tenant advocates are committed to providing timely support to the Santa Monica community even as we work to protect the health and safety of everyone involved in bringing these services to you. If you are able to, please consider making a donation to SMRR at www.smrr.org/donate to help our efforts. Thank you for your support. Third: There will be a national Census in April 2020 and you will receive your Census questionnaire in the mail soon. The Census determines federal funding allocations for dozens of programs that provide essential resources to to Californians, including for schools, child care programs, road maintenance projects and social assistance programs. We urge you to fill out the Census questionnaire and be counted. An undercount means California would not be getting its fair share of funding and representation. You can get more information at this website: https://www.santamonica.gov/census. We will continue to share new information with you by email, and will post new information our website as well. Thank you for your support. www.smrr.org |