Tenant Resource Guide

Transcription

1 Tenant Resource Guide A reference list for tenants including government agencies, legal assistance, emergency resources, and more. Presented by Friends Housing Inc.

2 !"#$%&% Friends Housing Inc. This book is provided by Friends Housing, Inc. as a tool for both consumers and their families. Inside you will find helpful resource information in case of an emergency, to contact utility companies, receive discounts on utility services, locate legal assistance and advice, as well as other vital service information. Emergency Resources Fire, Ambulance, Police: 911 If 911 is busy, for Fire or Ambulance Emergencies: (800) Police Non-Emergency number: (877) Utility Emergencies LA Department of Water and Power (Electricity and Water) (800) DIAL-DWP, (800) The Gas Company (Gas) (800) , en Español (800) Southern California Edison (Electricity) (800) Other Emergencies Animal Control: (888) 4LA-PET1, (888) Excessive animal noise such as barking or crowing; stray animals; dead animal clean up. Poison Control Center: (800) Provides free telephone advice and assistance in case of exposure to poisons, chemicals, or toxins. 24 hours/7 days a week

3 Tenant Resource Guide!"#$%'% Legal Resources Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice (323) LACLJ s Housing Law Unit offers a full range of services from advice and counsel to full court representation. They provide services to preserve safe and affordable housing in Los Angeles through:!" Eviction defense!" Outreach to tenants living in substandard conditions!" Affirmative litigation against fraudulent slumlords and landlords Additionally provides education to tenants participating in the Los Angeles Housing Department s Rent Escrow Account Program (REAP) and Utility Maintenance Program (UMP). Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (800) Non-profit agency which assists developmentally disabled consumers. Provides free services including:!" Information for disabled persons regarding their legal rights!" Legislative Advocacy for persons with disabilities!" Assistance in fighting against housing discrimination!" Online fact sheets and publications about disabled housing laws

4 !"#$%(% Friends Housing Inc. Legal Resources Continued Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (800) The Housing/ Eviction Defense unit advocates for the creation and preservation of safe and affordable housing. Helps low-income tenants stay in their homes when they are being evicted unfairly. Organization provides:!" Community outreach and education!" Public policy advocacy!" Legal representation!" Pro per assistance (responses to legal actions) Los Angeles Housing Law Project (213) , (213) The LAHLP offers the following services:!" Pro per responses (Answers, Motions to Quash, Prejudgment Claims Right of Possession) to unlawful detainer actions.!" Motions to respond to Notices to Vacate by the Sheriff s Department, and motions to respond to illegal lockout and utility shutoff by landlords.!" Court representation in unlawful detainer motions and trials.!" Consultations on 3-day, 30 day and 60-day notices.!" Referrals for help with habitability and Rent Control violations!" Post eviction consultations (after court) Fees for services are based on a sliding fee scale according to household income. Spanish speaking staff available.

5 Tenant Resource Guide!"#$%'% Special Services Utility Assistance Program (UAP): United Way: Families who need help paying their utility bills can receive help through a partnership with The Gas Company and Southern California Edison. The amount pledged can be up to $ Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): (866) Provides financial assistance to eligible households to offset the costs of heating and/or cooling homes. The Gas Company: (800) Offers a variety of assistance programs for both low-income households as well as discounts for households with a seriously disabled family member. Call for further information or visit for more details. Hotlines Los Angeles Housing Department (213) , (866) 577-RENT outside (213). This telephone information service is staffed each business day from 9:00-4:00. The Housing Rights Center: (800) Operates Monday- Friday 8:30-5:00 Provides telephone and in-person counseling to both tenants and landlords regarding their rights and responsibilities under California law and local city ordinances. Provides information and assistance around areas of housing discrimination, basic tenant issues such as lease renewal, rent increases, repairs, housing court, etc.

6 !"#$%*% Friends Housing Inc. Hotlines Continued 211 Los Angeles County Dial 211 Free from any phone in L.A. County. Provides callers access over 28,000 health and human service programs throughout Los Angeles County 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and is TTY accessible. Fair Housing Foundation (323) Operates 8:00am -12:30pm - 1:30pm - 5:00pm. Provides telephone and in person counseling to tenants on tenants rights issues such as housing court, repairs, lease issues and payment increases. Call to leave a message and a staff member will call you back. Government Agencies CA Dept of Consumer Affairs (800) California Tenant s Guide: publications/landlordbook/index.shtml Housing Authority of Los Angeles (213) , (213) Public, Senior, and Section 8 housing. Rent Stabilization Hotline (800) , (213) , (213) (TDD) Call for questions regarding rent control, rent increases, or evictions.

7 Tenant Resource Guide!"#$%'% Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs Florence Firestone Service Center (323) South Compton Avenue Los Angeles, CA Monday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tenant Organizations The Housing Rights Center (310) , (626) Provides telephone and in-person counseling to both tenants and landlords regarding their respective rights and responsibilities under California law and local city ordinances. Provides information and assistance around areas of housing discrimination, basic tenant issues such as lease renewal, rent increases, repairs, housing court, etc. Coalition for Economic Survival (213) CES educates, trains, supports and empowers tenants to take action to protect their rights, their housing and their lives, and bring tenants living in threatened affordable housing together with tenants in slum and HUD housing to create a powerful voice to preserve and create healthy, safe and decent affordable housing.

8 Fair Housing Foundation (800) , (323) , (562) Offices in both South Los Angeles and Long Beach. Provides telephone and in-person counseling to tenants on tenants rights issues such as housing court, repairs, lease issues and payment increases. Many answers to frequently asked questions about tenant s rights and discrimination are available online at Community Economic Development Unit (213) South Central Office 8601 South Broadway Avenue Los Angeles, CA If you have questions about any of the topics described in this book, or need more information about housing resources, contact Friends Housing. Ask about additional tenant information available from Friends Housing. Consumer and Family Education Project Phone: W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007