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Advancing Housing Justice in California: A Framework for Sustainable Development

This report outlines the resources and mechanisms available to California residents for addressing housing-related issues, including evictions, rent increases, and discrimination. The provision of these services is fundamental to achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). Ensuring access to safe, affordable housing and robust legal recourse is a cornerstone of building equitable and sustainable communities.

Upholding SDG 16: Promoting Justice and Strong Institutions

Achieving SDG 16 requires accessible and accountable institutions that uphold the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice for all. The following resources provide pathways for legal support and institutional accountability in housing matters.

The Role of the State’s Housing Justice Team

The Housing Justice Team consists of attorneys dedicated to systemic housing issues on behalf of the people of California. While the team does not offer individual representation or legal advice, public input is vital for its mission.

• Complaints or tips can be submitted to the Attorney General’s office via an online complaint form.

Ensuring Access to Legal Representation

Access to legal counsel is a critical component of SDG 16, preventing unjust outcomes such as wrongful eviction. The Attorney General’s office cannot represent individuals in eviction cases. Tenants facing eviction are strongly advised to seek legal assistance immediately. The following organizations provide access to free or low-cost legal aid, directly supporting SDG 10 by reducing inequalities in the justice system.

• Legal Aid Offices: Find local free legal aid services through LawHelpCA.
• State Bar Resources: The California State Bar provides information on free and low-cost legal help and maintains a directory of certified lawyer referral services.
• Military Personnel Support: Members of the armed forces and their dependents can receive assistance from their local JAG legal assistance office.

Mechanisms for Institutional Accountability

Holding public and private actors accountable is essential for strong institutions (SDG 16). Formal complaint processes are in place for various parties involved in eviction cases.

1. Complaints Against Judges: File with the Commission on Judicial Performance.
2. Complaints Against Attorneys: File with the State Bar.
3. Complaints Against Law Enforcement: For evictions conducted without a court order, file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office here and with the local law enforcement agency. Complaints regarding the execution of a court-ordered eviction must be resolved with the court.

Achieving SDG 11 and SDG 1: Ensuring Sustainable, Affordable, and Safe Housing

SDG 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, with a key target being access to adequate and affordable housing. These protections directly combat housing instability, a primary driver of poverty, thereby supporting SDG 1.

Regulation of Rent Increases and Affordability

State and local laws provide protections against excessive rent increases to maintain housing affordability.

• Statewide Rent Cap: Most properties in California over 15 years old are subject to a rent cap limiting annual increases to 5% plus inflation, or 10% total, whichever is lower. This applies to most apartments and to single-family homes or condos owned by corporations.
• Local Ordinances: Cities and counties may have their own rent control laws with additional protections.
• Notice Requirements: Landlords must provide 90 days’ written notice for rent increases over 10%.
• Emergency Protections: During a declared state of emergency, Penal Code section 396 may prohibit rent increases of more than 10%. A list of such declarations is available on the Office of Emergency Services website.
• Further Information: Additional details are available on the Attorney General’s Landlord-Tenant Issues webpage.

Addressing Landlord Disputes and Unsafe Conditions

Ensuring habitable living conditions is a core tenet of SDG 11. Tenants have several avenues for recourse.

• Health and Safety Complaints: Contact your local health department, building inspector, or code enforcement office.
• General Information: The California Court’s self-help housing webpage offers information on various tenant issues.
• Legal Action: For disputes involving less than $10,000, small claims court may be an option. Information is available here. For other legal action, consulting an attorney is recommended.

Fostering SDG 10: Reducing Inequalities in Housing

SDG 10 calls for the reduction of inequality within and among countries. This includes protecting vulnerable populations from discrimination and providing equitable access to resources.

Combating Housing Discrimination

Housing discrimination undermines the goal of reduced inequalities. To file a housing discrimination complaint, contact the California Civil Rights Department. A complaint can be filed here.

Targeted Financial Assistance Programs

Rent relief programs are a direct intervention to reduce economic inequality (SDG 10) and prevent poverty (SDG 1) by helping tenants maintain housing stability.

• Housing is Key Program: For assistance with the California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program, call the contact center at 833-430-2122.
• Legislative Support: Residents can also contact their state representative for assistance. Find your representative here.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

The article discusses issues related to housing rights, affordability, legal access, and discrimination, which directly connect to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary goals identified are:

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

2. Specific Targets Identified

Based on the content of the article, the following specific targets under the identified SDGs can be recognized:

SDG 1: No Poverty

1. Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all.
   • Explanation: The article mentions the “Housing is Key Rent Relief Program” and provides a contact number for the “California COVID-19 Rent Relief Call Center.” This program serves as a social protection system aimed at preventing tenants from falling into poverty due to housing instability caused by the inability to pay rent.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

1. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices.
   • Explanation: The article explicitly addresses housing discrimination by providing a direct link for individuals to file a “housing discrimination complaint” with the “California Civil Rights Department.” This mechanism is designed to combat discriminatory practices and ensure equal opportunity in housing access.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

1. Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.
   • Explanation: The entire article is centered on this target. It addresses affordable housing through information on the statewide rent cap (limiting increases to “5% plus inflation or 10% total”) and protections against price gouging during emergencies. It covers safe and adequate housing by advising tenants to file complaints related to “health or safety” with their “local health department, building inspector, and/or code enforcement office.” The focus on preventing unlawful evictions further supports secure housing tenure.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Explanation: The article repeatedly emphasizes the importance of legal assistance for tenants facing eviction or unlawful rent increases. It provides resources to ensure access to justice, especially for those who may not be able to afford it, by directing them to “free legal aid” at LawHelpCA, “low-cost legal help” through the California State Bar, and legal assistance for military members via the JAG office.
2. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Explanation: The article promotes the accountability of institutions by providing clear procedures for citizens to file complaints. It details how to file complaints against judges (via the “Commission on Judicial Performance”), attorneys (via the “State Bar”), and law enforcement agencies involved in unlawful evictions. This creates a transparent process for holding these public and legal institutions accountable for their actions.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

The article implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

Indicators for SDG 1 (No Poverty)

• Number of individuals/households assisted by the “Housing is Key Rent Relief Program.”

Indicators for SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

• Number of housing discrimination complaints filed with the “California Civil Rights Department.”

Indicators for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

• Compliance with the statewide rent cap (5% plus inflation or 10% total).
• Number of complaints filed with local health, building, and code enforcement offices regarding housing safety and health standards.
• Number of unlawful eviction complaints filed with the Attorney General’s office.

Indicators for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

• Number of people accessing free or low-cost legal aid for housing issues through referred services like LawHelpCA and the California State Bar.
• Number of complaints filed against judges, attorneys, and law enforcement through the respective accountability bodies mentioned in the article (Commission on Judicial Performance, State Bar, etc.).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 1: No Poverty	1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all.	Number of households assisted by the “Housing is Key Rent Relief Program.”
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities	10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome.	Number of housing discrimination complaints filed.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.	Compliance rate with the statewide rent cap. Number of health and safety complaints filed with local code enforcement.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice for all.	Number of individuals receiving free or low-cost legal aid for housing cases.
	16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions.	Number of complaints filed against judges, attorneys, and law enforcement regarding housing cases.

Source: oag.ca.gov