Applications now open for Santa Monica Renter Aid Program

July 22, 2026 9:44 AM

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (July 22, 2026) - The city of Santa Monica has launched Santa Monica Renter Aid, a new program providing one-time or short-term financial assistance and housing stabilization services to eligible Santa Monica renter households experiencing a temporary housing crisis.

Funded through Measure GS and administered by The People Concern in partnership with the city's Homelessness Prevention & Intervention Division, Santa Monica Renter Aid is designed to help eligible renters remain safely and stably housed.

Applications are due by Aug. 20. Apply now at Santa Monica Renter Aid.

"Nobody should lose their home over one bad month. Renter Aid puts roughly $6 million directly into the hands of Santa Monica renters who hit a rough patch and connects them with The People Concern so a short-term crisis doesn't turn into a long-term one," Mayor Caroline Torosis said. "Keeping people housed is more cost effective and more humane than helping them after they've already lost everything."

Who can apply?

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 percent Area Median Income)
• Prioritization for low-income households, older adults, people with disabilities and families with minor children at greatest risk of homelessness

In-person support

Residents who need assistance completing an application may attend free in-person application support hours through Aug. 20.

• Tuesdays, 3-7 p.m. at Virginia Avenue Park, Park Center Building (2200 Virginia Ave.)
• Thursdays, 12:30-4:30 p.m. at Main Library (601 Santa Monica Blvd.)

Paper applications, multilingual assistance and accessibility accommodations are available during in-person application support hours.

Representatives from The People Concern will also be available at the upcoming State of the City event on Thursday, July 23, 4-7 p.m., to answer questions and provide information about Santa Monica Renter Aid.

State of the City 2026 is a free community event, taking place on Main Street between Hollister Avenue and Ocean Park Boulevard. The annual event highlights community achievements in 2026 and what's ahead for Santa Monica in 2027. Admission is free and the event is open to all ages.

For more information about the program or application process, please contact [email protected] or visit santamonica.gov.

Media Contact

Lauren Howland
Communications and public information manager
[email protected]

Categories

Housing, Programs, Strategic Priorities, Your City Hall

Departments

Housing and Human Services