Tenants’ Rights Advocates Reach Landmark Settlement on Behalf of Californians Struggling With Pandemic Rent Debt

A landmark settlement has been reached in a case brought by tenants’ rights advocates alleging that the California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD) unconstitutionally operated the state’s Covid-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP or Housing is Key), which has led to qualified applicants missing out on the assistance they were promised after the pandemic destroyed many Californians’ livelihoods.
Tenant Rights Groups Celebrate Court Upholding New L.A. City Permanent Tenant Protections

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Denied AAGLA’s Preliminary Injunction and Allowed Tenant Groups to Join the City in the Defense of the Protections.
First Settlements Reached in Section 8 Discrimination Case

The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund and Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles have reached the first settlements in a major lawsuit against 22 properties accused of unlawful discrimination against tenants receiving Section 8 vouchers.
Attorneys for Community Groups Denounce California’s Move to Appeal Ruling in Covid-19 Rent Relief Lawsuit

In January, a Superior Court judge ordered the state to develop denial notices that satisfy constitutional due process protections for applicants. OAKLAND, CA – March 2, 2023 – Attorneys representing three community groups suing the State of California for wrongfully denying applicants without adequate process in its Covid-19 rent relief program released a statement today […]
DREDF and LAFLA Sue 22 Housing Providers for Source-of-Income Discrimination in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, Calif. – Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) and co-counsel Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) have filed a lawsuit against 22 providers of rental housing in the City of Los Angeles for alleged source-of-income discrimination. The providers are accused of refusing to rent to a disabled participant of the Section […]
California Says Emergency Rental Assistance Program Will Likely Run Out of Funds with Over 140,000 Applicants Still in Limbo
California Says Emergency Rental Assistance Program Will Likely Run Out of Funds with Over 140,000 Applicants Still in Limbo State lawyer says the program’s remaining $177 million could go to private contractor if the state is forced to comply with a Superior Court order, leaving no money for tenants. Oakland, California – January 23, 2023 […]
Court Rejects Billionaire Developer’s Attack on LA’s Emergency Eviction Protections

LOS ANGELES, November 18, 2022 — A developer’s legal attack on the city’s emergency eviction protections—one that threatened to undermine other protective ordinances and push countless low-income tenants into homelessness—was dismissed Thursday. The developer, Geoffrey Palmer, whose company owns more than 15,000 units in Los Angeles, filed a lawsuit in August of 2021 seeking to overturn […]
Judge Orders State to Stop Denying Rental Assistance Applications Until Further Review
Tenants Sue State of CA for Violating Due Process Rights

Department denied 31 percent of rental relief applications without offering meaningful explanation of denial or a transparent appeals process Oakland, CA – Community-based tenant organizations Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) Action and Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE), along with research and action institute PolicyLink, have filed a lawsuit against the California […]
Tenants-Rights Groups Sue CA Over COVID Rental Assistance for Tenants

Tenants-Rights Groups File Suit Against California for Failing to Provide Covid-19 Rental Assistance to Eligible Tenants Lawsuit says Department’s cutoff date for assistance means many tenants who receive rental assistance are still at risk of eviction Los Angeles, CA – The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is being sued by tenants’ rights groups Alliance of […]