Santa Monica Renter Aid

The Santa Monica Renter Aid program provides short-term financial assistance and housing case management services to Santa Monica renters who are at risk of losing their housing to keep individuals and families safely housed and out of homelessness.

This program is funded by the city of Santa Monica and operated in partnership with The People Concern.

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for Santa Monica Renter Aid, households must:

Be a Santa Monica resident
Be experiencing a housing crisis or be at risk of losing housing
Meet income eligibility requirements (at or below 120% Area Median Income)
Prioritization for low-income households, older adults, people with disabilities and families with minor children at greatest risk of homelessness

Eligible households are encouraged to apply regardless of citizenship status.

Applicants will be required to provide documentation verifying eligibility criteria. Assistance will not be guaranteed and depends on eligibility, priority criteria and funding availability.

How to Apply?

The prior Santa Monica Renter Aid application window closed on August 20, 2026. Applications are not currently being accepted.

Additional application windows are planned as part of this ongoing program. Dates for future application windows—and information about how to apply—will be announced on this webpage.

Other Resources for Santa Monica Renters

If you live in Santa Monica have received an unlawful detainer (i.e., have an active eviction court case) please call Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles as soon as possible to receive eviction prevention legal services: (800) 399-4529.

If you live in Santa Monica and are behind in rent and in need of support to maintain your housing, please contact St. Joseph Center through the following locations.

Individuals:

Location: St. Joseph Access Center
Address: 404 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Drop-in hours: Monday & Wednesday, 9am-11am
Phone number: (310-694-6035)

Families:

Location: St. Joseph Center SPA 5 Family Solution Center
Address: 12420 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066
Drop-in hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 9am-11am
Phone number: (310-694-6035)

Additional resources can be found through the city’s Homelessness Prevention & Intervention Division resource card.

Important Information

Submitting an application does not guarantee financial assistance. Due to limited funding, assistance may be prioritized for households facing the greatest risk of homelessness.

Response times may vary depending on application volume.

Additional Questions?

Please review the Santa Monica Renter Aid FAQ below or contact santamonicarenteraid@thepeopleconcern.org if you don't see the answer to your question.

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Contact Us:

santamonicarenteraid@thepeopleconcern.org

FAQ

What is a qualifying housing crisis for this program?

Examples of a qualifying housing crisis for Santa Monica renter households may include:

Loss of income or reduction in work hours
Unexpected medical expenses
Sudden or large rent increase
Family emergency
Temporary financial hardship
Risk of eviction or displacement

What assistance may be available?

Eligible Santa Monica renter households may receive support such as:

Rental assistance
Utility assistance
Relocation assistance
Housing-focused case management
Referrals to additional support services

Assistance is based on household eligibility, available funding and level of housing crisis.

What can I expect after I submit an application?

Upon submission, you will receive a confirmation email that your application has been received. The People Concern will then contact you regarding the status of your application.

Response time may vary depending on application volume. Applying does not guarantee financial assistance.

Can I submit a paper application?

Yes. The paper Santa Monica Renter Aid application in English and Spanish is available here:

Paper Santa Monica Renter Aid Application [English]

Paper Santa Monica Renter Aid Application [Spanish]

Note, to support timely submission applicants who can complete an online application (including with help from someone else) are strongly encouraged to do so.

For applicants who are completing a paper application, please submit paper applications in-person to the following locations:

Virginia Avenue Park
Park Center Building
2200 Virginia Avenue

Santa Monica Public Library
Main Library
601 Santa Monica Boulevard

Applicants can also mail in paper applications to the following address:

Virginia Avenue Park
Park Center Building
2200 Virginia Avenue

As a reminder, the first application window for Santa Monica Renter Aid is July 20 – Aug. 20, and therefore all application will need to be received by The People Concern by end of day Aug. 20 to be considered for this application window.

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen or have a certain immigration status to apply?

No. Santa Monica Renter Aid is available to eligible Santa Monica renter households regardless of citizenship or immigration status.

Does this program count as a “public charge?”

No. This program is funded by the City of Santa Monica — not the federal government — and receiving assistance through this program is not considered a public charge. Information provided as part of your application will only be used to determine eligibility for the program.

Do I meet the income eligibility requirements?

The program serves households earning up to 120% of Area Median Income (AMI).

Example income limits may include:

1-person household: $126,000 annual income
2-person household: $144,000 annual income
3-person household: $162,000 annual income
4-person household: $180,000 annual income

Income limits are subject to change annually.

Prioritization will be given to low-income households, older adults, people with disabilities and families with minor children at greatest risk of homelessness.