Housing Resource Guide 2nd Edition
Hey Bruins! The USAC Office of the Internal Vice President Drive Down Rent Rent Platform worked together to update the Housing Resource Guide to assist students with their housing search and much more! We included housing options within the Westwood area, along with the greater Los Angeles area which includes Sawtelle, Santa Monica and The Valley/Sherman Oaks. The guide also includes resources that pertain to legal matters, housing and food insecurity. The guide includes resources within the Westwood area, larger Los Angeles area and Orange County, with links to other resource guides that can be of benefit to students.
Where to Live? 1-5
Westwood Rentals 1-4
The Valley / Sherman Oaks 4-5
Sawtelle Area 5
Resources 6-19
Westwood 6-8
Housing Resources 6
Food Resources 6-7
Legal Services 7-8
Santa Monica 8-14
Government/Housing Resources 8-11
Additional government resources 11-12
Other Resources 12-14
Greater LA Area 14-17
Food Resources 14
Housing Resources 14-16
Orange County 16
Government Resources 16
California 17
Government Resources 16- 17
Other Legal Aid Resources 17
Additional Resource Guides 17-18
Where to Live?
Westwood Rentals
For students looking for housing in Westwood, we recommend looking on sites such as apartments.com, zillow.com and Facebook groups such as UCLA Housing, Rooms, Apartments, Sublets, UCLA Off-Campus Housing, & UCLA HOUSING / SUBLETS / RENTALS. Many students are currently looking for subletters, including short-term and long-term lease subleasing and lease takeovers. A multiple of Westwood apartments are also not listed online. If you are in the vicinity of the Los Angeles area, we encourage you to take a walk around Westwood to gather phone numbers that are listed on For Rent signs since many buildings are still looking to fill vacancies. We also encourage students to explore apartments South of Wilshire for more affordable and sustainable options.
Facebook Groups
| - UCLA Housing, Rooms, Apartments, Sublets
- UCLA HOUSING / SUBLETS / RENTALS
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Apartments Some known Westwood apartments are listed here:
| - Westside Rentals offers a variety of apartments, including apartments South of Wilshire and outside of the immediate Westwood area that may be more affordable for UCLA students
- Westwood Village Living offers furnished and unfurnished apartments on 1-12 month leases, which is convenient for students who do not want to commit to a year-long lease. They are located in the Westwood Village, close to the UCLA Campus and the shopping district.
- Westside Habitats offers a variety of apartments, most within walking distance to UCLA.
- This building is South of Wilshire, closer to the Brentwood area. Their two bedroom apartments are in the $2,500 range, which is a significant price difference compared to the Westwood neighborhood.
- This site is a compilation of listings within walking distance to UCLA
- Several buildings in Westwood, all within walking distance to UCLA, offers variety of apartments
- Apartments on East side of campus, close to South campus, 1,2, 4 bedrooms
- Eight buildings throughout Westwood
- Roberts Company Apartments
- Buildings in Westwood, Brentwood, West LA
- Offers large 5 , 7, 9 person apartments
- Many buildings in Westwood, currently pre-leasing for next fall
- http://www.rentwestwood.com/uclawestwoodapts.html
- Westwood and Brentwood apartments
- https://www.jjparkapartments.com
- Studio and 1 Bedrooms across from Reagan, now leasing for summer
- Multiple Westwood Buildings now leasing for fall
- http://premierstudenthousing.com/properties/
- Close walk to campus, 1 and 2 bedrooms
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Affordability is typically a major factor for UCLA renters who are looking for housing. For students who are concerned about affordability and are willing to live further from the UCLA campus, below are some areas that offer more affordable options for student renters.
The Valley / Sherman Oaks
Apartments | - Hazeltine Apartments are located in Sherman Oaks, roughly a 15 minute drive without traffic and a 30 minutes bus ride using the 234 Metro Bus line (which stops on Hilgard Ave, right by UCLA). Hazeltine Apartments is currently offering a 1 month off special and offers 1 and 2-bedroom apartments that range from $1,625-$1,895 per month.
- Regency Apartments offers 1 and 2-bedrooms that range from $1,695-$2,195 per month.
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Sawtelle Area
Apartments | The Sawtelle Area offers affordable apartments which are convenient for students who cannot afford the high costs of living in Westwood. Linked below are some examples of apartments in the Sawtelle area, just a 10 minute drive from the UCLA campus. |
Resources
Westwood
Housing Resources | - Location in Westwood
- Address: 862 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
- Additional Information and Applications
- Includes information regarding
- ECRT Emergency Housing
- Bruin Shelter
- UCLA Housing
- Additional Information
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Food Resources
| Housing insecurity and food insecurity are typically interrelated. Below are some food resources in Westwood for students who are dealing with food insecurity. - Westwood Food Pantry provides temporary assistance for individuals and families. They distribute groceries every first Saturday of the month. Please check out their website for specific dates and how to sign up to receive pre-packaged groceries. You can also check out their Facebook page linked below for updates too!
- UCLA Food Security Resources
- Includes information regarding
- CPO Food Closet
- 580 Cafe
- UCLA Meal Vouchers
- Calfresh Initiative at UCLA
- Dial 211
- Free Food @ UCLA Information Page
- Additional Information
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Legal Services | - UCLA Student Legal Services
- The UCLA Student Legal Services provides legal counseling and assists UCLA students on a wide variety of legal issues. Some services include
- Drafting legal documents
- Providing attorney referrals
- Advocating on behalf of students regarding legal problems (landlords, insurance companies, etc.)
- Student Legal Services are currently waiving all fees for their services
- Student Legal Services provides many resources in regards to lease signing, scamming and COVID-19 impact on tenants. Linked below is the UCLA Student Legal Services Community Resource Guide
- The L.A. Tenants Union is an autonomous, member-funded union which fights for the human right to housing.
- LATU provides a list of COVID-19 Resources linked below
- For residents who cannot pay rent in the midst of the COVID-19 Crisis, LATU provides a Rent Forgiveness Guide. The guide includes a letter template for renters who cannot pay rent, along with details on how to join the LATU
- Find your local meeting using the link below, which also includes the Westwood Tenant’s Union Branch
- Westwood Tenant’s Union Branch
- Follow Westwood Tenant’s Union Branch for updates pertaining to renters in the Westwood area
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Santa Monica
Government/ Housing Resources | - Section 8 housing (Housing Choice Voucher program)
- Rental assistance program for low income households. Eligible applicants may receive a voucher to pay for part of their rent.
- Requirements and details on:
- Below Market Housing (BMH)
- This program offers housing and apartments in the private sector at a rent that is lower than the market rate.
- Requirements and details:
- https://www.santamonica.gov/housing-BMH
- If you are having trouble paying your rent and worry about being evicted, you may be eligible for assistance through the City of Santa Monica’s HOME voucher program.
- In order to register, must contact one of these local orgs
- Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA)
- The People Concern (formerly OPCC)
- (310) 264-6646
- Thepeopleconcern.org
- (310) 399-6878
- Stjosephctr.org
- Wise & Healthy Aging - SENIORS ONLY
- Homeless Resource Program
- The City of Santa Monica works with the following organizations to help people experiencing homelessness:
- The People Concern (formerly OPCC)
- Provide a fully integrated system of care – including outreach, interim housing, mental and medical health care, substance abuse services, domestic violence services, lifeskills & wellness programs, and permanent supportive housing.
- (310) 450-4050
- https://www.thepeopleconcern.org
- Provide working poor families, as well as homeless men, women, and children of all ages with the inner resources and tools to become productive, stable and self-supporting members of the community.
- (310) 399-6878
- https://stjosephctr.org
- Upward Bound Family Place
- LAHSA is the lead agency in the Los Angeles Continuum of Care, which is the regional planning body that coordinates housing and services for homeless families and individuals in Los Angeles County.
- (213) 225-6581
- https://www.lahsa.org/get-help
- West Coast Care (Family Reunification)
- (310) 351-2565
- Visit the Blue Gazebo on the Santa Monica Pier, Monday through Friday at 10 a.m.
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Additional Government Resources | - Rent controlled apartments
- Tenants can view and download the current list of apartments for rent. A new list will appear by noon every Thursday.
- Santa Monica Housing Division
- A full list of the City of Santa Monica Housing Division available resources can be found at the link below.
- Section 8
- BMH
- POD Program
- Resources for:
- At risk of listing Housing
- Seniors
- Property Owners
- News + Notices
- Additional Housing Resources
- Housing for UCLA Students
- Located in Santa Monica
- The physical shelter is currently closed due to COVID-19 but Bruin Shelter is supporting students through remote case management
- They are still accepting resident applications and plan on reaching out to students regarding their applications once they re-open
- If you are a student who needs assistance with academic, social, medical, or financial needs, you can fill out the remote case management interest form on their website.
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Other Resources | - Affordable Housing Website
- Waitlist for affordable apartment openings in Santa Monica
- Low income housing website
- Description: Includes listings for low income housing
- Santa Monica Housing and Economic Development
- Includes resources for senior housing, disabled housing, individual, and family housing.
- Includes listings for low income apartments in Santa Monica
- Santa Monica Assistance programs
- List of homeless shelters and services for the needy that provide help to those in need for Santa Monica, CA and surrounding cities.
- Community Service Department
- Directory of agencies that provide rental assistance to residents
- Resources for student apartment searching
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Greater LA Area
Food Resources | - All across LA county for students living at home or off campus in need of groceries
- More information at
- Food Resources for LA County - COVID-19 Response
- Includes information regarding
- CalFresh
- WIC
- 211 FoodFinder
- Farmer’s Market Guide
- LA Food Bank - Pantry Locator
- CA Meals for Kids
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Housing Resources
| - Housing Authority Application Center
- Address: 2600 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA, 90057
- Telephone: (213) 252-1020
- Working at least 20 hours per week at the State's minimum wage; or
- Is attending an accredited institution of higher learning (college, trade school, vocational school) full-time, and the course of study is expected to lead to employment; or
- Is working and attending an institution of higher learning, and the combined total is at least 20 hours per week; or
- Otherwise equally income self-sufficient; or
- Families whose family head and co-head, or whose sole member, are disabled or age 62 years of age and older will also receive this preference
- Affordable Housing Online
- Community resource that help people locate housing that includes “affordable, special needs, emergency housing, and more”
- For more information
- LA County COVID-19 Pandemic Resources - Housing Matters
- Includes information regarding
- Housing is Key
- LA County COVID-19 Rent Relief
- Application period opened 4/30/21
- LA County Homeless Outreach Portal
- California Tenant Protection Executive Order
- IRS Stimulus Check Information
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Orange County
Government Resources | - List of all apartments/ housing that is offered by OC as affordable housing
- Fair Housing Council of OC
- http://www.fairhousingoc.org/servicesfaq/
- Useful to tenants facing evictions
- “In addition to providing Fair Housing counseling and training, the Fair Housing Council investigates housing discrimination complaints, assists complainants with referrals to government enforcement agencies and assists in, or becomes a party to, litigation aimed at halting illegal discriminatory housing practices.”
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California Resources
Government Resources | - California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program
- Providing assistance with
- Unpaid rent
- Future rent
- Utility assistance
- “Eligible renters can apply for landlords to be reimbursed for 80% of each eligible renter’s unpaid rent between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. The landlord must agree to waive the remaining 20% of unpaid rent for that specific time period. Eligible renters whose landlords choose not to participate in the program may receive 25% of unpaid rent between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021.”
- For more information
- CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program excludes the cities of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Santa Clarita (with these cities launching their own Rent Assistance Programs)
- For more information
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Other Legal Aid Resources
- Community Legal Aid Society provides Orange County and Los Angeles area residents legal help for housing, immigration and etc.
Additional Resource Guides
USAC Off- Campus Housing Guide
- Bruins! In your pursuit to lease and rent during these challenging times it is especially important to take a look at The Off- Campus Resource Guide. The guide provides in-depth descriptions on what to expect when leasing, tenants rights and many more campus resources!
UCLA Basic Needs Resource Guide