Legal and housing resources

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Legal help and resources

• Court self-help centers

  Each court has a self-help center that offers free legal information. Find out from your local court what type of services they offer.

• LawHelpCA

  Offers a lookup tool to help find legal aid offices, lawyer referral services, and other free and low-cost services in your county. 

• County law library

  Law librarians offer legal resources for people who don't have a lawyer. Librarians can recommend legal self-help books. Many libraries also offer free self-help programs. You can also ask a law library a question in Live Chat.

• Lawyer referral service

  Directory of lawyer referral services throughout California

• A Guide to Residential Tenant's and Landlord's Rights and Responsibilities

  A Guidebook from the Department of Real Estate that covers evictions

• Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)

  State agency that enforces state laws that make it illegal to discriminate based on protected characteristics (like race, gender, or national origin)

• Department of Justice 

  Overview of California law and rights and responsibilities of renters and landlords

• Housing is Key

  Website from the State of California with links to eviction protection information for renters and landlords. Available in several languages.

COVID-19 related laws and housing resources

• Resources for those experiencing homelessness or housing issues due to COVID

  Statewide resources for those experiencing housing issues related to COVID-19

• Mortgage relief related to COVID-19

  Information on mortgage forbearance and relief during COVID-19 from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau

• Financial help

  Statewide information about types of financial assistance during COVID-19

Housing and social services resources

• 2-1-1 CA

  Free information and referral service that connects you to local health and human services resources. You can go to their website or call 2-1-1.

• Benefits and services

  Listing of agencies and application information for benefits and services (like cash assistance and food programs) from the State of California

• Section 8 housing

  Information for tenants on the housing choice voucher program (Section 8)