About Alameda County Housing Secure
Alameda County Housing Secure is a collaborative of legal service providers partnering to prevent the displacement of our most vulnerable community members throughout Alameda County.
Centro Legal de la Raza, the Eviction Defense Center, Bay Area Legal Aid, East Bay Community Law Center, and Housing and Economic Rights Advocates provide free legal services to low-income tenants and homeowners disproportionately impacted by the region’s housing affordability crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
By the Numbers
Alameda County Housing Secure began in 2018 and provides free legal services and emergency financial assistance to low-income tenants and homeowners. These services enable county residents who are vulnerable to displacement to stabilize their housing.
3,741
tenants and homeowners throughout Alameda County received legal services
280
families have stabilized their housing situation through the Emergency Financial Assistance program
$2.67m+
has been disbursed to families in need to stabilize their housing
100%
of these recipients contacted in the follow up survey stayed in their homes
In The News
Alameda County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program Distributes Over $50 Million in Aid to Residents
Press Release, February 17, 2022
Opinion: In a fragile housing market, paying rent is important
By Berkeleyside, January 28, 2022
Our Services
Outreach & Know Your Rights Education
to extend the understanding of key legal protections out into the community and complements the outreach and marketing strategies that are also integral to the program.
Legal Representation
For residents facing eviction or foreclosure.
Short-Term Emergency Financial Assistance
Is available for clients receiving legal services to assist them with housing costs such as rent or mortgage payments.
Legal Consultations
Address issues that have not risen to the level of an eviction or foreclosure.
About The Emergency Rental Assistance Program
In 2021, Alameda County received funding from the U.S. Treasury's Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program to provide relief to individuals, families, and landlords whose finances were negatively impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cities of Oakland and Fremont also received funds from the Treasury Department and operated their own rental assistance programs. The funds were used to pay past due rent and utility payments.
The Alameda County Housing Secure (ACHS) Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provided assistance to eligible applicants who met the following criteria: qualified for unemployment or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19; demonstrated a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and had a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Applicants were eligible for up to 15 months of payment relief for past due rent and utilities.
The Alameda County Housing Secure Emergency Rental Assistance Program has officially concluded. We are pleased to share that all approved funds have been successfully distributed to eligible applicants.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program Dashboard
The dashboard below gives a summary of Alameda County Housing Secure Emergency Rental Assistance Program fund approval and distribution. The dashboard shows the total number of applications received and approved; corresponding financial assistance requested and received; average financial assistance paid to each household; and the total funds paid. Financial assistance covered past due rent and utility bills, as well as prospective rent at the time of application.