Santa Monica Housing Office - AHPP Tenants

The current inclusionary housing program in the City of Santa Monica is called the Affordable Housing Production Program (AHPP). Inclusionary housing refers to residential developments in which rents are capped at affordable levels for income-qualifying households.

The current income/rent limit methodology used for the AHPP was approved by the City Council in June 2013. For each building, the specific income/rent limit methodology is specified in an agreement between the developer and the City. The easiest way to confirm which methodology applies to your particular property is to ask your property manager. If they aren't sure, ask them for a copy of the Deed Restriction or your lease agreement for the property and review the requirements together. If your property manager is not sure how to read the requirements, ask them to call the City and find the answer for you.

For more information, please view the Administrative Guidelines for AHPP in Santa Monica (section 9.64 of the Municipal Code).

View the current maximum income and rent limit charts. 

The AHPP program is part of what is now called the Below Market Housing (BMH) program. For information on how to apply and who is eligible, please visit the BMH program page. 

Income certification

If you currently live in an apartment subject to affordability requirements, you will be required to prove your continued income eligibility.

To comply with the affordability covenant, your landlord will annually require you to complete a Summarized Household Income form and support it with the following documents:

  1. Most recent tax return or a copy of the extension and all W2s/1099s if an extension was filed and the return is still pending.
  2. Three most recent bank statements (all pages, not redacted) for all bank accounts in the household.
  3. Most recent statement for all assets, including real estate, or investment accounts in the household.
  4. Three most recent paystubs for all adult household members who work.
  5. Statements for any other benefits received such as SSI, DPSS, EDD or any other benefits.
  6. Statements for any cash assistance provided by friends or family outside of the home.

If you have been living in your AHPP apartment for at least a year, you can make up to 140% of the maximum allowed income for that unit. If you go over 140%, you will be given one year’s notice to vacate.

Rent increases

Each year, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the California Department of Housing and Community Development publish information about the area median income for households with various income levels. This area median income information is used to establish rent limits for affordable housing. Rent limits are determined based on the number of bedrooms that are in the apartment and whether the home is designated for extremely low-, very low-, low-, or moderate-income tenants. Landlords in the AHPP program are allowed to charge up to the maximum rent listed on the current Maximum Income and Rent Chart, although some properties are in additional programs with the City that restrict the amount that rents can be increased each year. To determine the maximum rent allowed for your AHPP home, please contact your property manager and ask them to show you the most recent chart of maximum incomes and rents for your building.

If you have questions, please contact the Housing Office at smhousing@santamonica.gov.