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Your support will help us work toward our goal of all Californians having the housing, income, supportive services, food security, and health care they need to live with dignity.

Every year, we witness the transformative power of legal services—halting evictions, creating pathways for affordable housing, fortifying access to public benefits, and defending the rights of unhoused people.

This year was no different. In 2023, PILP championed the rights of unhoused individuals living on the streets, safeguarded families in mobile home parks, and created pathways for nonprofits seeking to build affordable housing and steward land for the public good. Our impact litigation defined crucial legal standards in federal and state courts – reaching the California Supreme Court – standards that will be instrumental to shaping a racially inclusive, equitable California.

• Martinez v. Clovis: Secured the first published opinion in California interpreting the state's requirement to affirmatively further fair housing. This opinion stands as the most exhaustive interpretation of housing element law published in the last two decades;
  

• Gracia v. City of San Bernardino: Established fair access to affordable housing in San Bernardino for persons and families involved with or exiting from the criminal legal system;
  

• Rancho Dominguez Mobile Home Park: Prevented the destruction of 81 homes in Carson;
  

• Expanded Access to Public Benefits in Orange County: Resolved issues denying General Relief to non-citizen victims of crime;
  

• Continued Civil Rights Advocacy: Fought for the rights of unhoused individuals in San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Rosa;
  

• Sponsored Legislation to Create Inclusive Communities: With Assembly Bill 480 (Ting), Senate Bill 439 (Skinner), and Assembly Bill 1218 (Lowenthal), engaged in legislative efforts to expand land options for affordable housing, safeguard approved affordable projects from NIMBY opposition, and clarified requirements for relocation and replacement housing statewide; and
  

• Training the Next Generation of Public Interest Lawyers: Trained and mentored attorneys and advocates, issued educational materials and newsletters, and coordinated statewide advocates calls in inclusive development and public benefits practice areas.