Homelessness

Homelessness is a top community priority in Santa Monica. We continue to collaboratively address this complex regional issue while investing in new local programs and initiatives. Our primary focus is the public health, safety, and quality of life for all Santa Monica community members. Please look at what we are doing to positively impact the homelessness crisis, find resources, and explore the strategies we are employing within our community.

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FAQ

I need help paying rent. Who can I contact?

You have several options available to you if you feel that you are at risk of losing housing:

Emergency Housing Assistance for Displaced Renters

If you make very low to moderate income and have been displaced from your home in Santa Monica in the last 12 months (or will be in the coming 12 months), you may receive priority on the waitlist for the Section 8 voucher program or the Below Market Housing program, depending on your income. Review the eligibility criteria for the situations that constitute being ‘displaced’ here: https://www.santamonica.gov/housing-at-risk

How to apply: Email displaced@santamonica.gov with a brief description of your situation and attach supporting documentation. Please apply to the above-mentioned programs online, but you will also need to email the displaced email address to let the Housing Division know that you've been displaced and to receive priority on the waitlists.

Home Voucher Program

If you are having trouble paying your rent and worry about being evicted, you may be eligible for assistance through the City of Santa Monica’s HOME voucher program. In order to register for this program, you need to contact one of the local organizations listed below:

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA), (310) 899-6200, lafla.org ○ The People Concern (formerly OPCC), (310) 264-6646, thepeopleconcern.org
St. Joseph Center, (310) 399-6878, stjosephctr.org
Wise & Healthy Aging - SENIORS ONLY, (310) 394-9871, wiseandhealthyaging.org

Eviction Defense and Legal Services

If you are a low-income Santa Monica renter who has received a notice of eviction action, or potential eviction action, from your property owner/manager, please contact Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles’s Santa Monica office: (310) 899-6200

Who can I contact for help or support related to a medical emergency, or for help related to homelessness or people experiencing homelessness?

For both emergency and non-emergency situations requiring assistance, the City of Santa Monica has the following services available:

9-1-1: Medical emergencies & immediate threats
LA-HOP.org: Request homeless outreach assistance using the LA Homeless Outreach Portal
(800) 854-7771: Department of Mental Health
(310) 458-8491: Non-emergency police and fire response
3-1-1 or 311@santamonica.gov: Santa Monica-specific requests like trash pickup

What is Santa Monica doing to keep the Downtown area safe, clean, and enjoyable?

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) continues to proactively partner with other law enforcement, community organizations, and private security to address public safety through a collaborative effort. Officers are more visible, response times have been reduced, and we’re continuing to monitor crime trends in real-time.

The City of Santa Monica is dedicated to being a safe and welcoming place, and ensuring a high quality of life for all its residents, workers and visitors. Addressing the ongoing public safety and quality of life questions in the downtown area remains a top priority, and the City deploys a comprehensive and collaborative approach to meet community needs by focusing on public safety, hospitality, maintenance, sanitation, and custodial services, working in close partnership with Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. All of our 13 public parking structures and three surface lots are monitored 24/7. Click here to learn more including a recap of our sanitization, custodial, and parking services.