Santa Monica Builder Flouts Affordable Housing Rules

Santa Monica has some of the strictest laws in California regarding affordable housing, including rent control and inclusionary housing laws (I'll explain more in a minute). However, the Santa Monica Daily Press details how JSM Construction -- builder of much of Santa Monica's downtown housing -- did not build the 52 affordable housing units it promised the city to finish. The deal called for JSM to build eight market rate housing complexes in downtown Santa Monica if it built the affordable housing units as well.

Long story short: Many of the market rate buildings were constructed and received the city's OK, and now have tenants. But the two lots for the affordable housing were sold in foreclosure.

Although Santa Monica has stiff laws to promote low-priced rentals, in this instance affordable housing did not come out on top.