Description:

The Housing Pro Bono Project works with Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (“CLSEPA”) to help renters with housing issues in the communities that surround Stanford. Students work with CLSEPA staff to defend clients against eviction, discrimination, and illegal increases in rent, as well as to resolve habitability issues. The Bay Area is a phenomenally expensive place to live, with many tenants spending upwards of 50% of their income on rent. This tilts the already inequitable landlord-tenant relationship in the landlord’s favor. Low-income housing is difficult to find, and landlords often do not maintain habitable apartments. Stanford students assist clients living in this area by providing them with legal advice from CLSEPA attorneys following intake interviews with clients. After each intake is completed, students write a memo on their client’s case. Students often support clients by writing a demand letter to the landlord or assisting the client in contacting code enforcement.

Commitment Required of Members:

We ask at a minimum that volunteers commit 4 to 6 hours per quarter to assist with client intakes and associated follow-up work, including writing a memo about the case, and possibly writing demand letters or preparing other documents as needed. Students may provide further case management assistance if needed and are welcome to exceed this minimum commitment, although we will ensure that each volunteer is able to participate in the pro bono project.

Open Membership Spots: 22

Adv. Degree Student Participation: Permitted

Winter Start: Permitted, But Fall Start Preferred

Eligible for Meeting NYS Bar Pro Bono Requirement: Likely

Language Ability Preference: No Requirement, But Fluency in Spanish Valued

Project Leaders: Isaac Cui, Aja Johnson, Lisa Lu, and Saseen Najjar