The mission of the City of Santa Monica Housing Commission is to improve the quality of life by supporting and helping to

guide the production and preservation of affordable housing. We advise and assist the City Council and City Staff on the

housing policies, programs, and projects they implement, and work to enhance the social, economic and cultural vitality of

our community.

The Commission encourages the full participation of the community in shaping its future and is committed to fairness, social

justice and democracy.

Affordable Housing Objectives

Achieve the goals and programs of the Housing Element of the General Plan;

Foster an equitable and fair housing environment by supporting the production and preservation

of affordable housing;

Work closely with City Commissions and Boards in developing housing related policies;

Provide a forum for residents of affordable housing and those who need or will need affordable

housing;

Advocate for a wide range of opportunities for affordable housing;

Serve on special commissions whose missions in whole or in part involve affordable housing

policies or projects;

Continue to encourage timely compliance with all federal and state accessibility requirements,

and further enhance accessibility where reasonable and feasible within budgetary and physical

constraints.

Action Items

1. Joint meetings with other commissions and/or boards;

2. Meetings with public (issue oriented or share info.);

3. Explore opportunities for affordable home ownership programs;

4. Serve on special commission created by City Council for Civic Center Project;

5. Work closely with the community and City Commissions, Boards, and Staff to realize our mission

in accordance with the programs and goals of the Housing Element of the General Plan;

6. Monitor the City’s progress toward completing programs and reaching goals specified in the Housing

Element of the General Plan;

7. Reach out to people who need/receive affordable housing and to qualified developers capable of

preserving and creating affordable housing.

Responsibilities, Jurisdiction, Authority

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Monica is the recipient of federal funds for the Section 8

Housing Assistance Payments Program, and has the capacity to provide rental subsidies to 1,092

households. The Housing Commission is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the existing Section

8 Program, and has provided oversight since the inception of the program. In addition, the Housing

Commission has traditionally reviewed and developed recommendations to the Housing Authority and

City Council on a variety of housing programs and policies including the Fair Housing Program, the

Community Development Block Grant Program and the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy

(CHAS). The Housing Commission has been involved in reviewing all phases of assisted housing

development projects, including tenant selection policies and design features as they relate to the needs

of future users.

The Housing Commission is comprised of seven Santa Monica residents, none of whom shall hold other

office or employment with the City. Two Commission members shall be participants in a Housing

Authority Section 8 Program, and shall serve two-year terms and five Commission members shall serve

four-year terms. One of the Section 8 Program participants must also be 62 years of age or older.

Pursuant to Section 2.32.280 of the SMMC - no Santa Monica City employee may serve as a member of

any Board or Commission.