housing rights committee

tenants rights counseling membership Sect. 8 resources staff volunteers news newsletter

HOUSING RIGHTS COMMITTEE is a tenants rights organization that offers free counseling for San Francisco tenants in all types of housing, including rent-control, SROs, public housing and Section 8. We've been fighting for the rights of tenants since 1979 when a group of seniors at Old St. Mary's Church came together to organize against condo conversions that were displacing the elderly. Housing Rights Committee counselors provide help to over 5,000 tenants a year, advising them on their rights as renters.

We offer both call-in and drop-in counseling Monday through Thursday, 1-5pm, 703-8644, 417 South Van Ness/15th. If you come into our office for counseling, you should bring proof of income (check stub, SSI card, food stamp card, benefits award letter, etc.), but no one will be turned away because they don't have it. This does not apply if you call the office for counseling.

Our dedicated staff of volunteer counselors are trained to help tenants identify their options when they're having problems with evictions or foreclosure of the place they're living in, illegal rent increases, repair problems, the return of their security deposit, etc.

Housing Rights Committee is a membership organization. Our members make our voice strong and help us continue to support renters in need. Please make a donation to us today. See the "Donate Now" box on the bottom left column of this page.

For more information about our organization and tenants rights issues, click on the topics below:

Tenants Rights Information Pages
Info about evictions, illegal rent increases, repairs, security deposits, tenants rights, etc.

Tenant Counseling Service
When and where we offer free counseling

Section 8/ Public Housing
Learn your rights in Section 8 and public housing

Membership/ How to Donate

Resources and Referrals
A listing of agencies/services helping tenants in SF

Staff
How to get in touch with HRCSF staff

Volunteer Opportunities
Check out volunteer opportunities at HRCSF

Tenant News
Read about the latest issues making headlines

Renter's Voice
Online version of our newsletter

Espanol
Informacion sobre los derechos de los inquilinos

Russian

A New York rent strike, 1919

Counseling Hours

HRCSF offers counseling to San Francisco tenants four days a week -- Monday through Thursday, 1-5pm, at our office at 417 South Van Ness at 15th. Counseling is free, though donations are always welcome. Please bring in proof of income (pay stub, SSI or food stamp card, etc.) because we need to document this for a grant we receive that helps us keep the counseling program free of charge.

Check out the latest tenants news and a calendar of tenants rights actions. Click here.

Become an HRCSF volunteer tenants rights counselor and help clients who call or come into our free tenants rights clinic. Students can also do internships at our office. Click here for more info. Or call us at 415-703-8634 weekdays and ask for Tommi or Stephanie.

Become a member of HRCSF and be kept in the loop on the many exciting things that are happening in the city. Memberships also help support the work we do and keep our services free for all tenants in San Francisco. It doesn't cost much to join. Click here to be a part of our work.

Show your support for us by wearing a t-shirt: Camila and Martin are modeling two of the colors that they come in. Call our office for available colors and sizes, or drop by to pick one up. 415-703-8634.

Donate to HRCSF and help us keep doing the work we do every day to protect tenants in San Francisco. We depend on donations to help keep all of our services free. If you've been helped by us, please consider giving us a little something, no donation is too small or large. Simply, click on the box below. And thanks!