Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development

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.

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.