City Program Offering Subsidies for Elderly Poor Renters in Santa Monica to Survey 'Wellbeing'

A delayed pilot project that provides “last resort” City subsidies to help elderly Santa Monica seniors pay their rent is querying the applicants about their “wellbeing.” City Subsidies for Elderly Poor Renters in Santa Monica on Hold as 'Wellbeing' is Surveyed

The program, called Preserve Our Diversity (POD), was approved by the City Council in late July to address fears that the escalating cost of living could force seniors out of their homes ("Santa Monica Council Approves Experiment in 'Last Resort' Subsidies for Elderly Poor Renters," July 28, 2017).

The City has allocated $200,000 for the subsidies, which is enough to help 26 households in such dire straits they live on cat food or eat only every other day.

Another $100,000 is earmarked for administrative costs.