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
The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica (PHA Code: CA111) is located in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California. This authority manages approximately 1,536 assisted housing units, primarily through 1,536 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Currently, the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica is accepting applications for several housing programs. These primarily include various Affordable Housing and Below Market Housing (BMH) initiatives, as well as other related assistance programs. For applicants, the Very Low Income limit for a family of four in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA HUD Metro FMR Area is $75,750 per year. It's important for prospective applicants to be aware that the status of specific programs, such as Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), can change.
Affordable Housing (BMH) Waitlist
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 property owners. Local preference requires documentation of living or working in Santa Monica.
View original notice — santamonica.govAffordable Housing Program Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The waitlist is open to everyone meeting income requirements; priority is given to households living or working in Santa Monica, with specific preferences for displaced households, Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) holders, and Historically Displaced Households Pilot applicants. Applicants must meet household income limits, and a 'strike' policy may lead to removal from the waitlist after five strikes.
BMH Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
To apply to the City of Santa Monica's Below Market Housing waitlists, click here. Local preference requires documentation of living or working in Santa Monica. Applicants near the top of the waitlist will be contacted by property owners.
Below Market Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The waitlist is open to everyone meeting income requirements, with priority given to Santa Monica households displaced or at risk of displacement, Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) holders, and Santa Monica residents or workers. A strike policy is in place for waitlist participants.
Below Market Housing (BMH) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Priority is given to households that live or work in Santa Monica, with specific preferences for displaced individuals, EHV holders, and historically displaced households. The program has a 'strike' policy where five strikes lead to removal from the waitlist.
Other Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Priority is given to households that live or work in Santa Monica, which requires documentation like a utility bill or paystub. Income limits apply based on household size (e.g., a 1-person household income must not exceed $127,200, effective April 23, 2025). Applicants may be removed from the waitlist after five strikes for certain actions.
Other (Below Market Housing - BMH) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The Below Market Housing waitlist is currently open, prioritizing households displaced from Santa Monica, those with Emergency Housing Vouchers, or historically displaced households; secondary preference for other Santa Monica residents or those working 25+ hours/week in Santa Monica. Income limits apply, and applicants can check their status online.
Other (Below Market Housing) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Priority is given to households that live or work in Santa Monica, or meet specific related criteria, and applicants must meet income requirements.
other Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The Below Market Housing (BMH) waitlist is open to those meeting income requirements. Priority is given to Santa Monica residents or those who work at least 25 hours per week in Santa Monica, with additional preferences for displaced households and Emergency Housing Voucher holders.
other (Below Market Housing) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
May 1, 2020
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The Below Market Housing (BMH) waitlist is currently open with a rolling application process. Priority is given to households that live or work in Santa Monica, requiring applicants to upload documentation to verify their residency or employment. To be eligible, applicants' total household income...
Other Programs
5 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.
Waitlist closed effective April 21, 2025. Applications must have been submitted by 11:59 PM on Sunday, April 20, 2025. Waitlist remains open for individuals and households who qualify for Tier 1 priorities.
The waitlist will remain open for individuals and households who qualify for Tier 1 priorities, as outlined in the SMHA Administrative Plan.
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.
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.
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.
Go to Official SiteWARNING: 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 10 open waiting lists (Affordable Housing (BMH), Affordable Housing Program, BMH, Below Market Housing, Below Market Housing (BMH), Other, Other (Below Market Housing - BMH), Other (Below Market Housing), other, other (Below Market Housing)). 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 anyone to apply on your behalf. If applying online, take a screenshot of your confirmation page for your records.
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 Housing (BMH) open
The Affordable Housing (BMH) 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.
Affordable Housing Program open
The Affordable Housing Program 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.
BMH open
The BMH 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.
Below Market Housing open
The Below Market 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.
Below Market Housing (BMH) open
The Below Market Housing (BMH) 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 open
The Other 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 (Below Market Housing - BMH) open
The Other (Below Market Housing - BMH) 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 (Below Market Housing) open
The Other (Below Market 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 open
The other 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 (Below Market Housing) open
The other (Below Market 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.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) 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.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
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.
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.
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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration 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.