Our sweeping fair housing bill becomes law!

California showed again that it is leading opposition to President Trump with the signing of AB 686 (Santiago). Starting on January 1, 2019, hundreds of government agencies across the state will be required to play an active role in fighting racism and discrimination in housing. Our op-ed in the San Francisco Chronicle lays out how this law "carries our best hope ever" of dismantling the legacy of redlining and segregation. You can also check out this KQED Forum segment that highlights the importance of AB 686. Thank you to our fellow co-sponsors: Western Center on Law & Poverty and the National Housing Law Project!
Vote Yes on Propositions 1, 2, and 10! 

Public Advocates is endorsing Propositions 1, 2, and 10 — measures that will significantly expand affordable housing across California. Proposition 1 authorizes a $4 billion bond to support affordable housing programs for veterans and low-income residents. Proposition 2 will fund housing for those with mental illness who are homeless. Proposition 10 is one of the most consequential ballot measures in years for tenants and it gives communities the ability to limit out of control rents.
No on Prop 6

If Prop 6 passes, the state of transportation in California will go from bad to worse. Prop 6 would eliminate $5.2 billion a year in transportation funding, including almost $1 billion a year for public transportation, safe walking and biking lanes, and multi-use trails. Vote NO on Prop 6! Learn more in this blog post by Richard Marcantonio and Michelle Pariset.
No on Prop 5

Prop 5 takes upwards of $1 billion each year from schools and local services to give new tax breaks to a select few Californians. It gives the wealthiest property owners the biggest benefit, but does nothing for the vast majority of seniors who are homeowners or renters. Homeowners over 55 can already keep their lower tax bill when they buy a home equal to or lesser than the value of their current home. 
Koreatown tenants stand up for rights and win!

In Koreatown Los Angeles, a real estate investment firm was alleged to be discriminating against Spanish speakers, tenants with families, and tenants with mental disabilities in an effort to remove them from the building. After a two year battle, this federal housing discrimination lawsuit has been settled! We were proud to serve as co-counsel and congratulate Public Counsel for their leadership and tireless work to achieve this victory! Check out coverage in the LA Times!
What will the next Lieutenant Governor do on higher education?

We joined the two candidates for Lieutenant Governor, Ed Hernandez and Eleni Kounalakis, for a conversation on higher education in California. The next Lieutenant Governor has a major say in higher education since he or she will occupy a seat on the UC Boards of Regents and the CSU Board of Trustees. The new Lieutenant Governor must fight for a California that provides all students the opportunity to access and graduate from its three public systems: the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges. Thank you to the College Futures Foundation and California Competes for organizing this event!
Thank you for joining our Donor Appreciation event!

We are so grateful to all the donors who joined our appreciation event! We hope you left feeling inspired to fight for justice and also proud of what you’ve accomplished by supporting Public Advocates. Click here to see photos and stay tuned for upcoming events!
Public Advocates in the News

The Los Angeles Times , El Pais de España , La Opinión , and Commercial Observer covered the settlement of a major federal housing discrimination lawsuit in LA's Koreatown. Deputy Managing Attorney Sam Tepperman-Gelfant had an op-ed published in the  San Francisco Chronicle  on the passage of AB 686.....Sam also made his debut on  KQED Forum  to discuss the housing crisis.....Deputy Managing Attorney Angelica Jongco was mentioned in an op-ed on charter schools in the  San Francisco Examiner .....Public Advocates was mentioned in a  Fast Company  article discussing the role that corporations could play in addressing the housing crisis.
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