Eviction Defense Collaborative
The EDC assists tenants facing possible eviction by preparing paperwork for them to file in court. We do not represent tenants. We offer information and counseling to each tenant in preparation for their day in court. In addition to preparing papers for tenants, we offer a settlement conference workshop to prepare tenants for the mandatory Settlement Conference that happens before their jury trial. We also help prepare those tenants who will be representing themselves at trial.
The Rental Assistance Disbursement Component (RADCo) of the EDC is an interest-free loan program. RADCo pays landlords back-rent on behalf of their tenants in order to preserve affordable housing and prevent evictions and homelessness.
The EDC is staffed by both attorneys and non-attorneys, including law and paralegal students and volunteers from the community.
The majority of tenants we help are extremely low income and facing the immediate threat of becoming homeless. In addition to legal and rental assistance, the EDC is often able to refer these tenants to other agencies providing additional social services.
The Eviction Defense Collaborative is the principal organization in San Francisco helping low-income tenants respond to eviction lawsuits. Each year we provide emergency legal services and rental assistance to more than 5,000 tenants in the city. We prepare papers for people to file in court, refer people to other legal resources, and offer hands-on guidance during weekly settlement conferences and detailed coaching to prepare for trial.
We also provide one-time rental assistance to tenants who are facing eviction because they have fallen behind in their rent.
