Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica
Santa Monica, California
Last Updated
Less than an hour ago
About Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica
Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica (HUD agency code CA111) is the public housing agency serving Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California. It administers 1,536 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 13 waiting lists at this agency, covering Affordable, Other, PBV, HCV, Public Housing, Mainstream, RAD. As of May 2, 2026, 9 are open and 2 are closed. Status is unconfirmed for 2 further lists.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA HUD Metro FMR Area. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $75,750 per year, and as Low Income at or below $121,150 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 21 status changes at this agency, most recently on Sep 19, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Affordable Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Priorities include Santa Monica residents or employees, Emergency Housing Voucher recipients, and historically displaced households; a 'strike' policy is enforced for waitlist participation. Income limits effective May 4, 2026, range from $139,900 for a 1-person household to $215,900 for a 5-person household.
BMH
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
To apply to the City of Santa Monica's Below Market Housing waitlists, click here. Applicants near the top of the waitlist that register their interest will be contacted by the property owner. Applicants are selected from the waitlist as funding permits and as apartments become available.
Other Programs Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The Below Market Housing (BMH) waitlist is open; priority is given to households that live or work in Santa Monica, with specific tiers for displaced households, EHV recipients, and other residents/workers. Applicants must adhere to a 'strike' policy.
BMH
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
To apply to the City of Santa Monica's Below Market Housing waitlists, click here. Applicants near the top of the waitlist will be contacted by the property owner. Local preference requires documentation verifying residency or employment in Santa Monica.
BMH (Below Market Housing)
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The waitlist is open to everyone meeting income requirements, with priority given to households that live or work in Santa Monica. First priority is for displaced Santa Monica households; second priority for other households living or working at least 25 hours per week in Santa Monica.
Below Market Housing
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Priority is given to households who live or work in Santa Monica, including working at least 25 hours per week or participating in an approved job training program. Income limits vary by household size, with a 1-person household income not exceeding $139,900 (effective May 4, 2026). The program provides private sector apartments at below-market rent and has a 'strike' policy.
Below Market Housing (BMH)
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The waitlist is open to those meeting income requirements, with priority for Santa Monica households displaced or at risk of displacement, EHV holders, historically displaced households, or those living/working 25+ hours in Santa Monica. Applicants are subject to a 'strike' policy where five strikes result in removal from the waitlist.
Below Market Housing - BMH
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The waitlist is open to individuals meeting income requirements, with priority given to Santa Monica residents or those working at least 25 hours per week in Santa Monica. First priority is for households displaced or at risk of displacement, EHV holders, and Historically Displaced Households Pilot applicants.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
May 1, 2020
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The Below Market Housing (BMH) waitlist is open to everyone meeting income requirements (e.g., up to $139,900 for a 1-person household, effective May 4, 2026), with priority for households living or working in Santa Monica. Applicants must create an account and complete a two-step online application, providing documentation to verify income and Santa Monica residency or employment. A 'strike' policy is in place for waitlist participants.
Other Programs
4 programsThese programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.
Waitlists closed effective April 21, 2025. Applications must have been submitted no later than 11:59 PM on Sunday, April 20, 2025. Waitlist remains open for individuals and households who qualify for Tier 1 priorities.
Public Housing provides affordable rental units owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Units range from single-family homes to high-rise apartments, with rent typically set at 30% of household income.
Mainstream Vouchers provide rental assistance specifically for non-elderly persons with disabilities. The program helps individuals transition out of institutional settings or avoid institutionalization by subsidizing housing costs in the private market.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance, allowing housing authorities to leverage private funding for property rehabilitation while preserving long-term affordability for residents.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING
Contact Information
Important Notices
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Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.
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Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.
How to Apply at Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica
Check Current Status
Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica currently has 9 open waiting lists (Affordable Housing, Other Programs, Project-Based Voucher (PBV)). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $75,750/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica manages approximately 1,536 assisted housing units (1,536 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Santa Monica. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica
Affordable Affordable Housing open
The Affordable Housing program at Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Santa Monica. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other Other Programs open
The Other Programs program at Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Santa Monica. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) open
Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Santa Monica. Unlike the standard Housing Choice Voucher, PBV assistance stays with the property — not with you. However, after one year of occupancy, you may request a standard portable voucher. PBV waitlists often move faster because fewer applicants know about them.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Santa Monica. This program serves approximately 1,536 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Public Housing Public Housing closed
Public Housing units at Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica are specifically designated for non-elderly individuals with disabilities. These vouchers work like standard HCVs but are reserved for this population and often have separate, shorter waitlists.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Santa Monica maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica?
Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $75,750. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.
| Household Size | Extremely Low 30% AMI |
Very Low 50% AMI |
Low Income 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $31,850 | $53,000 | $84,850 |
| 2 Persons | $36,400 | $60,600 | $96,950 |
| 3 Persons | $40,950 | $68,150 | $109,050 |
| 4 Persons | $45,450 | $75,750 | $121,150 |
| 5 Persons | $49,100 | $81,800 | $130,850 |
| 6 Persons | $52,750 | $87,850 | $140,550 |
| 7 Persons | $56,400 | $93,900 | $150,250 |
| 8 Persons | $60,000 | $100,000 | $159,950 |
What do these income limits mean?
Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.
Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.
Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.
Nearby Housing Authorities
Applying to multiple housing authorities increases your chances of receiving assistance. These PHAs are closest to Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica — including across state lines.