By Lookout Staff

February 3, 2021 -- The City of Santa Monica is accepting applications for a program that helps seniors experiencing economic hardship pay for basic needs.

The Preserving Our Diversity (POD) pilot program is currently providing financial assistance to more than 150 very low-income, long-term Santa Monica senior renters, City officials said.

The program -- which has been expanded with $2 million to help between 250 and 400 seniors -- helps "cover basic needs like food, healthcare and transportation," officials said.

"Despite the financial impacts of COVID-19 and reductions to the City budget and staff, the City Council continued investments in the POD program recognizing the vulnerability of Santa Monica’s low-income senior community," City officials said in a statement.

The money is meant to help households "achieve a minimum amount of monthly after-rent income of $700 for a one-person household or $1,225 for a two-person household."

To be eligible for the program an applicant must:

• Be a senior age 65 or older.
  
  
• Have lived in a Santa Monica rent-controlled apartment since before January 1, 2000.
  
  
• Have an annual household income less than or equal to $39,450 for a one-person household or $45,050 for a two-person household.
  
  
• Not already be living in a subsidized apartment or participating in a rental voucher program.

“We would like to help more senior households meet their most critical and basic needs and ask for seniors to apply,” said Community Services Director Andy Agle.

“If you have a neighbor or family member who qualifies and would benefit, please help them through the application process.”

All qualified applications submitted to the City will be placed on a waitlist, officials said. Applicants will then be selected by lotteries for enrollment on a rolling basis over the coming months.

Those who meet the program criteria can apply online (in English and Spanish) via computer, tablet, or smartphone, through a secure website at www.santamonica.gov/pod, or by calling the Santa Monica Housing Authority at (310) 458-8743.