Preserving Our Diversity
A standing (not time-limited) cash assistance program for long-term senior tenants in rent-controlled apartments, designed to prevent displacement rather than test a hypothesis. What sets it apart from typical guaranteed income pilots: instead of a flat monthly payment, POD tops up each household to a guaranteed after-rent income floor, funded by a dedicated local sales tax (Measure GSH) rather than ARPA or philanthropy, with no research/evaluation requirement and no fixed end date — participants stay enrolled indefinitely as long as they remain eligible.
Housing, Seniors
Headquarters
- City
- Santa Monica
- State / Province
- California
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Phone
- (310) 458-8215.
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Application status
- Rolling
- Funding type
- Government
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 19,716 USD
- Total Amount Per Year
- 19,716 USD
- Payment frequency
- Monthly
- How long the program lasts
- 12 months
- Ongoing / unconditional
- Yes
- Distribution Type
- Debit Card
Eligibility
Demographics
- Minimum age
- 65
Housing
- Housing status
- Renter
Financial
- Income limit (annual household)
- $60,600
Citizenship
- Citizenship / immigration status
- Permanent Resident
Geography
- US states covered
- California
- Countries covered
- United States
- Cities covered
- Santa Monica
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
- Minimum Years A Resident of Target Geography
- 16 years
Application Process
- How to apply
Applications can be submitted online, available in English and Spanish or by paper — printed, filled out, and mailed to the Housing and Human Services Division. You'll need income, asset, and rent information on hand to complete it.
Applications are accepted continuously, not on a fixed cycle. Once submitted, only applicants who meet the basic criteria are placed on a waiting list, with confirmation sent within 30 days of receipt. From there, enrollment happens through a lottery drawn from the waiting list — selected applicants are notified by email and mail, then asked to submit supporting documents for a final eligibility review before being formally enrolled and starting to receive payments.
