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Affordable Housing: Below Market-Rate Housing Program and and Rent Subsidy Programs (POD)

Important Information for Santa Monica Residents and Santa Monica Workers Regarding New Opportunities to Apply for Affordable Housing and for Rent Subsidy Programs

Santa Monica residents and Santa Monica workers can apply for the City’s below market-rate housing program (that is, for affordable apartments that are funded in part by the City or are created pursuant to the City’s inclusionary zoning requirements for market-rate development projects), and for the federally funded Section 8 rent subsidy program. Applications are available in English and in Spanish at www.santamonica.gov/housing.

The City is also accepting new registrations for the Preserve Our Diversity (POD) locally-funded rent subsidy program for seniors at www.santamonica.gov/housing-pod or by phone at 310-458-8743.

Please read on for more details about each of these programs. SMRR encourages all who live or work in the City to explore their eligibility for these programs if they do not already have stable and affordable housing in the City.


Below Market-Rate Housing Program and Section 8 Program

According to the City:

This is an opportunity for Santa Monica residents and workers at varying income levels.

The City’s Housing Division is available to help walk applicants through the process, particularly those who require reasonable accommodation or language assistance. To get support, leave a message at (310) 458-2232. If you know someone who could take advantage of the program, but does not have access to a computer, the City encourages you to help by providing support to them on the phone or in other ways. For more information or an application visit: www.santamonica.gov/housing.


Rent Subsidy / Preserve Our Diversity (POD) Program

The City continues to accept new registrations for the Preserving Our Diversity (“POD”) locally funded rent subsidy program for seniors. You may qualify for the POD program if:
– You are at least 65 years of age; and
– You moved into your current Santa Monica rent-controlled apartment before January 1st, 2000; and
– You and/or your household qualify pursuant to the income requirements.

Seniors interested in the program must first register online at www.santamonica.gov/housing-pod, or by phone at 310-458-8743 (Monday – Thursday: 9am – 4pm). Please note: registering is not the same as applying. After registering, only those who meet the criteria listed above will receive an application from the City. All applications submitted to the City will be placed on a waitlist. Applicants will then be selected by lotteries. More information about the POD program is available at www.santamonica.gov/housing-pod.

Published inAffordable Housing