Housing | Bay Area Legal Aid

We help low-income tenants in cases involving evictions, discrimination, habitability, and public housing (ex Sec 8 and public housing).

Helping individuals and families obtain or remain in safe, affordable housing

The Housing Preservation practice is designed to protect families from illegal evictions, including eviction after foreclosure; substandard housing conditions; and wrongful denials and terminations of housing subsidies. The practice also works to preserve and expand affordable housing and protect families from foreclosure rescue scams.

BayLegal serves as the Bay Area’s leading provider of legal aid to individuals facing discrimination in housing. BayLegal’s commitment to enforcing federal fair housing laws is at the center of the practice. BayLegal represents people discriminated against in housing on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, family status or other protected classes.

Have Questions? Need Help?

Alameda County Tenants' Rights Line: 888-382-3405
Contra Costa County Tenants' Rights Line: 888-551-0068
Legal Advice Line: 800-551-5554
California Relay Service: Dial 7-1-1 or from TTY dial 1-800-735-2929 or visit California Relay Service for more information.

We provide legal assistance in the following housing-related areas:

Types of housing

Housing conditions

Fair housing

Housing preservation

News

Sep 25, 2020 October 8 @ 2:41 am

What Tenants Need to Know About Their Protections Under State Law and Federal Policy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Last update: September 25, 2020 On August 31st, supermajorities in the CA Assembly and Senate passed AB 3088, the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act of 2020. The legislation takes effect immediately…

Aug 6, 2020 October 8 @ 2:41 am

Bay Area Families Continue to Face Eviction Threat During the Pandemic

This August 3rd KPIX story by Susie Steimle profiles one family’s struggle with eviction, and the housing insecurity still facing many low-income Bay Area families during the COVID-19 pandemic. BayLegal…

Jul 27, 2020 October 8 @ 2:41 am

As COVID-19 Disrupts Higher Education, Students Find Themselves Trapped in Long Term Leases

Louis Hansen’s story in the July 26th San Jose Mercury News, “Bay Area college students trapped in pre-coronavirus leases,” helps to illuminate how the combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and…

Jul 23, 2020 October 8 @ 2:41 am

Housing Rights for Domestic Violence Survivors: Webinar Series Starts Today — Registration Is Still Open!

Bay Area Legal Aid in partnership with the Latina Coalition’s ELLA Program presents a webinar series: / Bay Area Legal Aid en colaboración con el programa “ELLA” de la Coalición…

Jun 17, 2020 October 8 @ 2:41 am

Updates on BayLegal’s Advocacy with the Judicial Council of California

The Judicial Council is the policymaking body of the California courts. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, BayLegal has worked with the Judicial Council to advocate for the needs of low-income litigants…

Jun 16, 2020 October 8 @ 2:41 am

Fair Housing Law Hot Topics 2020: A Free Training for Fair Housing Attorneys and Advocates

Fair Housing Law Hot Topics 2020: A Free Training for Fair Housing Attorneys and Advocates June 23, 2020 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Presented by Chris Brancart (Broadcast Live via…