Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development

This housing agency serves Santa Monica, California.

Waiting List
Open Until Further Notice: Santa Monica, California Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List Learn More
Open Until Further Notice: Below Market Rate Housing (BMH) Other Waiting List Learn More

Open Until Further Notice: Santa Monica, California Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List

The Santa Monica Housing Authority (SMHA) is accepting Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list applications from May 1, 2020, until further notice. This is the first time the waiting list has been open since it closed in January, 2017. 

To apply while the waitlist is open, complete the online application.

This waiting list has the following preferences:

  • Displaced - 5 points
    • An involuntarily displaced household who has or will be required to vacate housing in the City of Santa Monica.
  • Funding Shortfalls - 4 points
    • An eligible household that was previously terminated from a PHA program due to insufficient program funding. 
  • Continuum of Care (CoC) Graduate or Supportive Housing Graduate - 3 points
    • CoC graduates or tenants residing in City-funded supportive housing properties in Santa Monica who are stable and no longer require service participation to prevent them from recycling into homelessness.
  • Live and Work in Santa Monica - 2 points
    • Applicants who live in rent-controlled apartments in Santa Monica and pay more than 40% of their gross annual income toward rent or Applicants who work a minimum of 25hours per week in Santa Monica.
  • Applicants who are residents of Santa Monica and do not meet the live or work criteria - 1 point

Selected applicants will be placed on the waiting list by date and time the application is received, by order of preferences.

For more information, visit the SMHA website.

Sources: This information was verified by the SMHA Apply page on January 24, 2024.

Open Until Further Notice: Below Market Rate Housing (BMH) Other Waiting List

The Santa Monica Housing Authority (SMHA) is accepting Below Market Housing (BMH) waiting list applications from May 1, 2020, until further notice.

Please note: According to the SMHA "The City of Santa Monica’s Below Market Housing (BMH) program offers housing opportunities for Santa Monica residents and workers for a range of family sizes and incomes. Rather than providing a rental subsidy, this program offers apartments in the private sector at a rent that is lower than market rate. Households that meet the conditions listed below can apply for the BMH waitlist and will be contacted when apartments have vacancies that fit their income and household composition needs."

To apply while the waitlist is open, complete the online application.

The maximum income limits for each household size are as follows:

  • 1 Person $83,400 | 4 Persons $119,100
  • 2 Persons $95,300 | 5 Persons $128,700
  • 3 Persons $107,200 |

This waiting list has the following preferences:

  • Live in Santa Monica;
  • Work in Santa Monica at least 25 hours per week;
  • Participate in an approved job training program in Santa Monica;
  • Have last worked at least 25 hours per week in Santa Monica and now receive unemployment, worker’s compensation, vocational rehabilitation benefits, disability benefits, or retirement benefits from the City of Santa Monica.

Selected applicants will be placed on the waiting list by date and time the application is received, by order of preferences.

For more information, visit the SMHA website.

Sources: This information was verified by the SMHA BMH page on January 24, 2024.

About The Agency

Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development provides affordable housing for up to 1,182 low- and moderate-income households through its public housing programs.

Monday 7:30am-5:30pm
Tuesday 7:30am-5:30pm
Wednesday 7:30am-5:30pm
Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

1901 Main Street C, Santa Monica, CA

Visit Website(310) 458-8740

Section 8 Application Checklist

file_download Download

Keep track of everything you need to apply for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher in this printable checklist created by Affordable Housing Online

How large is the Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development?

Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development serves 1,320 low-income households. The agency manages 1,536 Housing Choice Vouchers and 0 public housing units.

What are the incomes of residents served by the Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development?

Extremely low-income (ELI) renters, earning less than 30% of Area Median Income (AMI), make up 85 percent of households served by Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development. Very low-income renters earn less than 50% AMI, and are 97 percent of Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development households.

How many Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development residents are employed?

Working adults head 198 households and make up 15 percent of households served by Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development.

How many female-headed renter households are served by the Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development?

There are 884 female-headed renter households living in Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development housing. Households headed by females are 67% of those served by the Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development.

What racial and ethnic groups are found among Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development renters?

Black 264
Native American 13
Asian-Pacific Islander 40
White 779
Hispanic 224

How many senior-headed renter households are served by Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development?

There are 871 households headed by seniors served by the Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development. Senior households are 66% of households in Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development housing.

How many households headed by persons with disabilities live in Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development housing?

There are 607 persons with disabilities living in Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development housing. Persons with disabilities are the head of 46% of households served by the Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development.