Downey residents came together on Nov. 4 to gather information on available housing programs. The Housing Resource Fair was hosted at the Barbara J. Riley Community and Senior Center in response to the possible results after the passing of AB 1482, the statewide rent control bill which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2020.
Below is a brief overview of the organizations that participated in the Housing Resource Fair:
Jovenes:
Jovenesinc.org works to help college students experiencing housing insecurity with temporary homes. The organization works with current community college students at Rio Hondo College, East Los Angeles College, Cerritos College and former foster youth ages 18-25.
Information regarding donations and applications to host a student are available online. To host a student, individuals must have a spare room, be 25 years of age or older, have lived in Los Angeles County for a least one year and pass a background check.
The Whole Child:
The mission of The Whole Child organization is “to help families raise emotionally and physically healthy children and have a place to call home,” according to the organization.
The Whole Child offers services in mental health, family housing, parent enrichment, and nutrition education.
The housing program focuses on securing a housing solution first, then providing critical services and support to help each family maintain permanent housing, according to the organization. More information on all the services offered is available on The Whole Child’s website.
ACCE Action,
ACCE Action offers “Tenants Rights Legal Clinics” every Thursday at 6:30pm at 3655 S Grand Ave, Suite 250 Los Angeles, CA 90007. ACCE Action invites concerned renters to call the tenant rights hotline at (888)964-8086 and to attend the legal clinics for immediate information.
To contribute and join the organization a form can be filled out on their website.
BASTA:
BASTA is a non-profit organization that provides tenants low-cost legal defense. BASTA offers eviction defense and housing rights training, and has offices in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Van Nuys, and Lancaster.
On BASTA’s website, it is recommended to residents experiencing eviction to visit a local BASTA office. Clients are seen on a first-come, first-serve basis. Walk-ins are taken during business hours at any of their locations.