The city of Santa Monica, California, will provide priority opportunities for affordable housing for the descendants of families forced to relocate after urban renewal projects during the 1950s and 1960s.

"The city of Santa Monica is eager to share the new affordable housing priority for historically displaced households with families who were displaced from Santa Monica in the 1950s," Constance Farrell, Santa Monica's public information officer, said, according to ABC News.

During the '50s and '60s, the construction of highways and other projects aggressively ousted many Black communities. An estimated 600 Black families were removed from their homes in Santa Monica's Pico community, the Los Angeles Times reports.

"We encourage our former residents and their descendants to learn more about the program, and we look forward to working with you to access this new opportunity," Farrell continued.

To qualify for the programs, residents must prove their families were uprooted and that they meet the income guidelines. Potential occupants must earn no more than $66,250 for a single person and $94,600 for a family of four individuals.

The apartments will be rent-controlled to $1,891 a month for a one-bedroom and up to $2,896 for a four-bedroom apartment, which is significantly less than most housing markets. The waitlist now has over 6,000 families seeking to take advantage of the low-income housing, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The program will start accepting applications on Jan. 18, as outlined on the city's website, and will place up to 100 applicants in preferred housing.

Santa Monica city officials hope the civic atonement will inspire other cities and states to follow suit.

Santa Monica

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