Who We Are
Defending Tenant Rights and Building Power Since 1979
The Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco was founded in 1979, the same year rent control was passed. What began as a clinic focused on eviction prevention and housing code enforcement has grown into a movement where tenants take charge of their housing and community stability. We believe tenants hold power—not just through legal protections, but through organizing and collective action.
Who We Are
Over the years, we've helped build a movement where tenants, armed with "know your rights" knowledge and solidarity, become fierce advocates and leaders.
We believe real change happens when tenants organize their buildings and communities, taking collective action. Together, we’ve created a movement where no tenant stands alone.
What We Do
At the Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco, we combine direct tenant support with grassroots organizing and advocacy to build tenant power across the city and beyond. Our tenant counseling services provide the tools and knowledge tenants need to assert their rights, while our organizing work helps tenants unite to defend their homes and communities. In addition, we advocate for policies that protect tenants and work in coalitions to shift housing narratives and laws on a larger scale. Whether through one-on-one support, collective organizing, or broad advocacy, our mission is to ensure that no tenant faces housing challenges alone.
Counseling for Tenant Empowerment
Since 1979, we’ve offered free and accessible counseling to help tenants understand and enforce their rights. Each year, we assist over 5,000 tenants across various housing types, including rent-controlled units, public housing, and Section 8. Our counseling services empower tenants to protect their housing and fight back against illegal evictions, unsafe living conditions, and other threats. Through this direct support, tenants gain the knowledge they need to stay housed and advocate for their own well-being.
Organizing for Collective Power
Our organizing efforts bring tenants together to take collective action against predatory landlords and systemic displacement. Through door-to-door outreach, tenant meetings, and the formation of tenant associations, we help build strong tenant communities that can negotiate directly for better living conditions and resist evictions. By equipping tenants with the resources they need to organize their buildings, we create the conditions for long-term change by changing the conditions of power from the extractive real estate industry to working class tenants in SF.
Advocacy & Coalition Work
We work closely with community networks to support and pass legislation that has transformed tenant protections in San Francisco. Through our advocacy work, we push for changes in housing policy that benefit tenants, while resisting laws that favor corporate landlords and developers. We also collaborate with coalitions across California and the U.S. to shift the housing narrative and secure policies that protect tenants on a broader scale, ensuring that our collective power creates lasting, systemic change.