The City of Santa Monica is seeking input from residents who live in rent controlled units through a survey that is active now through July 18.
The survey is a tool for the City to learn about the affordable housing needs of the community, and to determine the magnitude of rent burden among rent-controlled households. The confidential survey will gather information about residents whose inability to pay rent may result in displacement from the city. It is also a pre-application for a limited pilot program that will offer City-funded rental subsidies anticipated to roll out in late 2016.
The brief survey is available in English or Spanish at www.smrenterneeds.net
The survey closes at 5 p.m. PST on July 18. The survey can also be downloaded from the website, printed and delivered or mailed to the Housing Division office. An information phone line is available to address any questions or requests: (310) 458-2201, ext. 2232.
Given the prevalence of rent–burdened Santa Monica residents, and the City Council’s goal to maintain an Inclusive and Diverse Community, Council funded the pilot rental subsidy program
to begin to address this important housing need.
Almost 15,000 households in Santa Monica experience rent burden, which is defined as paying more than 30 percent of household gross income on rent. Over half of these households are considered severely rent burdened, and pay more than 50 percent of their household income on rent.
This survey and pre-application are not the Section 8 waiting list. The Section 8 waiting list is currently closed.
