Wilshire House sits in Santa Monica just two blocks from the Pacific Ocean and gives seniors and adults with disabilities a place to live that's quiet, safe, and affordable, and the building has 71 smoke-free studio and one-bedroom apartments, some fitted for wheelchair users or those who need a bit of extra help moving around, and the community's for people over 62 or adults 18 and older with a disability, with rent usually about 30% of a resident's income because it's tied to Section 202 housing-so it helps keep things stable, and folks don't have to worry as much about big rent hikes. The apartments usually have around 425 square feet if it's a studio or 550 for a one-bedroom or accessible unit, and everyone gets a kitchen, a bathroom with safety bars, carpeting, and window treatments, plus there's an emergency call system, fire alarms, smoke detectors, and quiet indoor mailboxes so you don't have to go outside for your post. Residents use laundry rooms with coin-operated washers and dryers, dispose of trash down collection chutes on each floor, and have a gated, free parking option, though there's not a spot for every apartment.
Wilshire House offers help with things like bathing, dressing, and medication reminders, and they've got personal care assistants as well as support for folks who need walking or wheelchair help, plus assisted living, independent living, and residential care depending on what someone needs at different stages. For those who need memory care or support with Alzheimer's or dementia, the place stays locked and uses features to help prevent wandering and confusion, and there's always a Service Coordinator on-site who will help connect residents to things like health and wellness programs or other personal services. Meals, housekeeping, maintenance, and even dry cleaning or laundry services are available, along with transportation for shopping and appointments, so seniors can get out and about when they need to.
A lot happens in the building-there's a community room, game and activities rooms, and arts and crafts programs, plus social events and a community garden and courtyard area with a BBQ, so if someone likes to stay busy, there's always something to do. Residents can use WiFi, cable TV, a fitness center, and a salon/barbershop, and the apartments themselves have kitchens or kitchenettes if someone likes to cook. All the shared spaces have extra safety and accessibility features, elevators, and sprinkler systems.
Wilshire House is associated with the Retirement Housing Foundation, and sits close to public transportation if residents want to travel a little farther, with the larger community including other housing names like Highlands, Terrace, Tower, and Villas, and supportive services linked to Section 8 (202) Housing for the Elderly. The building doesn't allow smoking and is pet-friendly, letting residents have birds or fish without a deposit or small cats and dogs with a deposit they can pay over time, and there's always on-site staff and managers, so repairs or issues get sorted quickly. There's a one-year lease, but management understands people sometimes need to move, and a deposit is usually equal to one month's rent with a $50 minimum. The waiting list stays closed sometimes, but that's just because many want to get in for the safe, steady atmosphere, and the chance to live where someone can join a real community and have support as needs change.
