San Francisco Right to Counsel Program Prevents Hundreds of Evictions

A city program that gives at-risk tenants the right to a lawyer helped over 90 percent of participants avoid eviction.

1 minute read

April 30, 2024, 11:00 AM PDT

Close-up of bronze symbolic Justice statue of blindfolded woman holding up scales.

BillionPhotos.com / Adobe Stock

Housing advocates are urging San Francisco’s mayor to continue funding the city’s Right to Counsel program, which offers legal assistance to tenants facing eviction.

As Tim Redmond explains in 48 Hills, the program prevented eviction for 92 percent of its 800 participants. Of these, 83 percent were ‘extremely low income,’ putting them at the highest risk for homelessness.

Redmond points out that the program saves the city money in the long run. “The entire cost of the program is $17.7 million; the city spends more than $600 million a year helping people who have become homeless find housing and services.”

FULL STORY: Protecting a program that saves hundreds from becoming unhoused

Sunday, April 28, 2024 in 48 hills

Government / Politics Housing California San Francisco Right to Counsel Tenants Rights Eviction Homelessness Rents Renters View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.