Housing Justice
Why Housing?
Housing is not just a basic need; it is a foundation for healing, well-being, and justice. Housing is more than shelter—it provides stability, safety, and a sense of belonging that allows individuals and families to thrive. Without access to affordable, secure housing, communities experience heightened stress, trauma, and disconnection. We believe that in order to foster holistic well-being and justice, we must address the inequities in housing systems that continue to harm people, especially in marginalized communities.
Housing justice, therefore, is central to our mission of healing. It is a critical factor in building resilient individuals, families, and communities, breaking cycles of poverty, and dismantling systems of oppression.
The current housing crisis, fueled by gentrification, rising rents, lack of tenant protections and a profit-driven housing market, disproportionately affects low-income families, communities of color, and the houseless. By treating housing as a commodity rather than a human right, we perpetuate systems that create harm and injustice. At HJC, we believe in shifting this narrative—housing must be treated as a cornerstone of justice and well-being, not merely a tool for financial gain. Our commitment to housing justice is a commitment to collective healing, where every person has the right to safe, healthy, affordable, and dignified housing.
Aligning Housing with Healing and Justice
Our programs and services are built on the belief that housing justice is integral to healing trauma and fostering well-being. We use trauma-informed, healing-centered practices to address housing injustices, empowering tenants and organizing communities to reclaim their rights and dignity.
*For accessibility, our services and programs are offered in person, online, and/or hybrid models as well as both in English and Spanish to serve our community focus areas.
TENANT COUNSELING HOTLINE
HJC offers a FREE Tenant Counseling Hotline to inform, educate and advocate for the rights of tenants. Our hotline is available to English and Spanish speakers. We connect tenants to other resources and legal services, as needed. We also offer additional support for tenants by writing letters, mediation, and negotiation services on a donation basis.
TENANT ORGANIZING
HJC helps to organize tenants by assisting in forming tenant associations (buildings) or tenant unions (city/areas). Using trauma informed and healing practices, we support tenants in formalizing their union through teaching communication skills, documenting their experiences and taking necessary actions to advocate for their rights and ensuring they have safe and healthy housing.
HJC actively participates in local and statewide coalitions advocating for legislation, local ordinances and further tenant protections.
We are a key founder/partner in the San Gabriel Valley Tenants Alliance (SGVTA), a volunteer-led group which supports the formation and building of tenant unions in order to grow the tenant rights movement in the valley.
Pathways to Homeownership
We firmly believe that housing should not be commodified. We recognize that the current real estate market allows individuals to buy and sell property for personal use. It is within this framework that we participate, using the system as a means to explore creative and alternative methods for transitioning tenants into homeownership. Our housing program is led by a licensed real estate agent, a self-declared "radical realtor," who is both an advocate for tenant rights and a firm believer in tenant protections and rent stabilization.
We acknowledge the stress and pressures that come with being a tenant, and we are committed to working with tenants who align with our values—those who are open to exploring collective ownership models, such as housing cooperatives or co-owned properties. Our goal is not to perpetuate housing as a commodity, but to empower tenants to become responsible, compassionate homeowners who continue to advocate for community stability through tenant protections and affordable housing initiatives.
Educational Offerings
As part of our commitment to supporting tenants on their journey toward homeownership, we offer a range of educational topics designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the process:
While HJC is actively working toward becoming a Certified HUD Counseling Agency, we are not yet certified. In the meantime, our housing program continues to provide valuable support and education to help tenants transition into homeownership and explore alternative models that foster long-term community stability and well-being.
Our work is driven by a vision of justice that sees housing as essential to the overall health and well-being of communities. When individuals and families have access to stable, affordable housing, they can begin the process of healing and thriving. By addressing housing inequality, we not only fight against systems of oppression but also create the conditions for collective liberation and growth. Housing justice, for us, is the foundation for a just, equitable, and healed society.
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