Santa Monica College’s Student Services Center at its main campus, 1900 Pico Blvd. SMC has launched an Affordable Housing Property Management Certificate of Achievement in partnership with Merritt Community Capital Corporation—an affordable housing nonprofit investor and lender— through its Rising Affordable Housing Management Professionals (RAMP) initiative, under the umbrella of Merritt’s larger workforce development initiative, Commitment to Community (C2C). This is the first affordable housing property management program at a California Community College. [Photo credit: Ben Gibbs Photography / Santa Monica College]
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Grace Smith, SMC Director of Public Information / Smith_Grace@smc.edu
Aisha Bachlani, Merritt Communications Consultant / comms@merrittcap.org
Merritt Community Capital Corporation and Santa Monica College Launch Affordable Housing Property Management Certificate
First For-Credit Program at a California Community College Launches Fall 2026
SANTA MONICA & OAKLAND, CA – Merritt Community Capital Corporation—an affordable housing nonprofit investor and lender—has recently launched a new workforce development program, an Affordable Housing Property Management Certificate of Achievement, in partnership with Santa Monica College (SMC). This short-term for-credit certificate will be launched in the fall 2026 semester and is the first affordable housing property management program at a California Community College; course offerings that count toward the certificate are available in the upcoming summer 2026 intersession.
This partnership with SMC was launched through Merritt’s Rising Affordable Housing Management Professionals (RAMP) initiative—under the umbrella of its larger workforce development initiative, Commitment to Community (C2C)—which empowers rising property management professionals with pathways to stable, community-centric careers. The program addresses the region’s affordable housing crisis by strengthening a critical workforce —property managers who are essential to keeping residents safely housed—while increasing visibility of the career paths possible in the field.
After launching in the spring 2026 semester with a 3-unit Affordable Housing Property Management course, SMC received approval to offer a for-credit certificate of achievement beginning in the fall 2026 semester, which will count credits from the 3-unit course.
Through Merritt’s RAMP initiative, SMC’s partnership will equip students with the tools and training to succeed in today’s evolving housing landscape, allowing them to:
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- Gain practical, tangible skills to navigate affordable housing operations
- Earn an Affordable Housing Property Management certificate through a comprehensive curriculum
- Prepare for careers that directly support local communities, helping ensure residents have access to safe, stable affordable housing
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Property managers play a critical role in maintaining housing stability while supporting the long-term sustainability of affordable housing communities. With demand for these roles continuing to rise, RAMP offers career pathways, leadership opportunities, and transferable skills across operations, resident engagement, and real-world problem-solving.
“As the affordable housing industry grows, so does the need for skilled property managers to support residents and preserve communities long-term,” said Ari Beliak, President & CEO of Merritt. “RAMP is a direct response to that demand and reflects our commitment to building a stronger workforce. Merritt is proud to partner with SMC on RAMP’s curriculum and long-term growth.”
SMC’s Vice President of Academic Affairs Jason Beardsley echoed Beliak’s sentiment, stating that as the leading job trainer on Los Angeles’s Westside and a well-known provider of cutting-edge career education, “Santa Monica College’s priorities to train a workforce that is responsive to regional labor market needs—especially in order to advance outcomes both for our students and to help our local communities, particularly those who live in affordable housing—align closely with RAMP and Merritt’s objectives. We look forward to this continued partnership!”
In recent years, SMC has expanded its workforce training offerings, including the launch of a Homeless Services Work Certificate and the growth of its Real Estate Program—further demonstrating its commitment to preparing students for careers that address critical community needs.
“By partnering closely with industry experts including key leaders at Merritt, SMC’s faculty have developed a specialized curriculum that directly addresses the workforce development needs in the affordable housing sector,” said Dr. Steven Sedky, SMC’s Interim Associate Dean of Career Education. “We are excited to offer students this short-term pathway to a career that serves their communities and enables them to be part of the solution to the regional housing crisis.”
To stay updated with Merritt news and announcements, please visit the Merritt LinkedIn page. For updates on the Affordable Housing Property Management Certificate offered at SMC, visit smc.edu/RealEstate or email Dr. Steven Sedky at Sedky_Steven@smc.edu.
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About Santa Monica College:
Santa Monica College is a California Community College accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). For 35 consecutive years, SMC has been California’s leading transfer college to UCLA, UC Berkeley, and other University of California campuses. The college also tops in transfers to the University of Southern California and Loyola Marymount University and is the top feeder outside of New York to the Ivy League Columbia University. As the leading job trainer in Los Angeles’s Westside, the college offers robust career education opportunities, with over 110 degrees and certificates in traditional and emerging fields. SMC provides news and cultural enrichment through its NPR radio station KCRW (89.9 FM), the Eli & Edythe Broad Stage at the SMC Performing Arts Center, and lifelong learning through distinctive programs such as its Emeritus Program for older adults.
About Merritt Community Capital Corporation:
Merritt Community Capital Corporation is a mission-oriented affordable housing investor and lender that serves the entire state of California, including both rural and urban areas. For more than 35 years, Merritt has been a trusted partner, investing more than $1.7 billion and creating over 12,500 affordable homes across California. Beyond investing in properties, Merritt invests in people. Through its Commitment to Community initiative (C2C), Merritt proudly spearheads programs across the state that attract, train, and retain current and future affordable housers.