The need for housing advocacy on behalf of low-income clients in the East Bay has never been greater. The availability of affordable housing remains low while demand for such housing persists at record levels. Evictions from both public and private units, and gentrification continue in spite of the economic downturn. At the same time, legislative and judicial attacks have eroded long-standing protections for the most vulnerable renters. An October 2002 study found that the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment ($1,374) in Alameda County is more than double what a family of 3 on welfare receives ($679). Low-wage workers in the county fare no better: the same study found that a person earning minimum wage would have to work 125 hours per week to afford an average 1-bedroom apartment.

In response, EBCLC has focused its housing advocacy on eviction defense, an effective method of preventing homelessness and slowing the loss of affordable housing. In addition to serving clients at EBCLC, supervising attorneys, students and volunteers staff more than 100 Tenant Workshops in the community each year. EBCLC also directs the Low-Income Eviction Project, providing direct legal assistance at the Alameda County Courthouse two days a week to tenants facing imminent evictions.

EBCLC staff and students have had a 95% success rate in keeping people in stable housing or negotiating with landlords to allow clients sufficient time to locate and obtain new, stable housing. EBCLC also has been successful in helping clients require that landlords maintain habitable housing and comply with other applicable housing laws. EBCLC housing advocates work with other organizations to formulate policy on issues such as code enforcement, increased access to housing for the disabled, preservation of affordable housing and long-term strategies to prevent homelessness.