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Dear Friends,
The past several weeks have offered a number of moments for remembrance and celebration.
Last month we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in jobs, schools, transportation, and public spaces. This law ensures that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. #ThankstotheADA, Law Foundation attorneys and staff can help people with physical, mento health, and development disabilities advocate for inclusion in all aspects of life.
We remembered the towering civil rights hero, John Lewis - also known as the conscience of the Congress. His enduring fight against racial justice inspires us today. We will continue his fight, and honor his legacy of tenacious advocacy and penchant for "good trouble." As former President Obama said:
"Generations from now, when parents teach their children what is meant by courage, the story of John Lewis will come to mind - an American who knew that change could not wait for some other person or some other time; whose life is a lesson in the fierce urgency of now."
This month, we celebrate inclusion of the LGBTQ community with #SVPride. Pride is all about honoring the long fight for equality by the LGBTQ community and its allies, and remembering those we've lost along the way. The Law Foundation is proud to support and serve the LGBTQ community.
As we commemorate these and other important civil rights victories and the unwavering leaders who paved the way for us, we must also acknowledge that there is work yet to be done. We will not stop until everyone in Silicon Valley has a stable home, high-quality health care, first-rate education, and can live free from abuse and discrimination.Thank you for joining us in this important work.
In community,
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The Eviction Time Bomb
For 45 years, Sharon has made San Jose her home. She raised her family in our community and until recently, held two jobs just to be able to stay here. When the pandemic struck Sharon lost each of these jobs and has struggled to afford her rent. In June, her landlord issued a 3-day eviction notice despite the fact that Sharon lost her income due to the coronavirus pandemic and was subject to a statewide protection for renters hurt financially by the pandemic.
That protection, set by the Judicial Council, will end September 1, which will allow landlords to start filing eviction actions. Sharon and tens of thousands of renters are at risk of displacement and homelessness when eviction moratoriums and government protections end. This is what we call the Eviction Time-Bomb. C ommunities of color, women-headed households, and families with children will be disproportionately impacted.
We are taking action, and we need your help: - Write to the State Senate supporting Assembly Bill 1436, which would prevent the eviction of renters unable to pay rent during the COVID-19 emergency period, keeping them housed while still allowing landlords to collect rent owed and obtain mortgage forebearance. The bill passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee and it's expected to be heard by the full Senate next week. Find and contact your representatives.
- We need the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to extend its eviction moratorium throughout the emergency, and permanently prohibit landlords from evicting tenants who are unable to repay back rent due to loss of income from COVID-19. Can you join us in urging the Board of Supervisors to stop the eviction time bomb?
- Post and tweet at the Governor and urge him to #StopCOVIDEvictions - pass #AB1436 @GavinNewsom.
- Donate to the Law Foundation to support our response to the eviction surge. The Law Foundation estimates less than 4% of tenants have an attorney to represent them in eviction court. This unequal balance of power in favor of landlords means most tenants facing eviction don't have a fighting chance of staying housed, regardless of the facts of their case.
- Volunteer. Partner with us to address this crisis. Send an email to [email protected] to request more information on current and upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Join us in ensuring that every one of our neighbors has the ability to stay safe at home during the pandemic.
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Oppose HUD's Cruel Anti-Transgender Rule
The pandemic has exacerbated the need for people and families to have access to safe, stable housing. Yet the Department (HUD) of Housing and Urban Development has proposed a rule that would allow homeless shelters to discriminate againsttransgender people. The rule "Making Admission or Placement Determinations Based on Sex in Facilities Under Community Planning and Development Housing Program" would strip away current protections, that prohibit federally-funded homeless shelters from discriminating against transgender people.
The current rule requires HUD-funded facilities to provide equal access to transgender people and helps ensure safe access to shelter for transgender people who are experiencing homeless, survivors of violence, and those fleeing disasters. Federal agencies should be scaling up housing and homelessness services. Instead, they are making it harder for some communities to access housing. No one should be denied access to a homeless shelter because of who they are. You can help by submitting a comment opposing HUD's Anti-Transgender Rule today.
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Basic Income Program for Foster Youth
In July, Santa Clara County launched a basic income program for foster youth who are transitioning out of the foster care system and into independent living. Many youth aging out of the foster care system struggle to establish themselves due to the high cost of living in Silicon Valley and a lack of support systems. This program is the first in the country, and the yearlong pilot will provide former foster youth, ages 21 to 24, with $1,000 monthly payments. The Law Foundation is proud to have consulted on the design of the project, advocated for it before the Board of Supervisors, and informed eligible youth of the program. Read more.
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Photo Credit - SV De-Bug
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Hunger Strike for Justice in Jails
Estimates show up to 50% of people in Santa Clara County jails-many of whom the Law Foundation represents- have a mental health disability, and many of those have co-occurring physical disabilities. During the pandemic, even more people are experiencing anxiety, depression, and exacerbated symptoms. Recently, people who are incarcerated launched a hunger strike to protest inadequate COVID-19 safety precautions and other poor conditions and to stand in solidarity against police brutality. The Law Foundation supports the hunger strikers' efforts to draw attention to their needs and to call for racial justice in the county and country. #SCCJailStrike Read more.
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Law Foundation Attorney Weighs In on Upcoming Eviction Surge
After a long hiatus, the Santa Clara County eviction courtroom reopened on August 5. Our attorneys are on the front lines of the upcoming mass eviction cisis. While current state law bars new eviction cases from being filed during the moratorium, there is nothing stopping the court from hearing old cases or landlords from filing new ones in the meantime, Caryn Hreha, LF attorney told the San Jose Spotlight. Read more.
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Supporting Affordable Housing in San Jose
The long- awaited Commercial Linkage Fee (CLF) Feasibility study for San Jose was released on July 31, and the study shows that most commercial developers in San Jose can pay robust fees to offset the impact that newly created jobs will have on the demand for new affordable homes. Commercial linkage fees are one-time charges typically applied on a per square foot basis at the time of initial development of new buildings. San Jose is the only major city in the county without a fee, and has fallen behind in its efforts to respond to the increased affordable housing demand created by the City's recent development and jobs growth. The Law Foundation has supported the efforts to pass a CLF for years and will continue to advocate for increased affordable housing. Click here to support this critical initiative.
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Q&A: Angela Ziegenhorn, Vice President, Legal, at Netflix
"Doing something with a purpose energized me and reminded me how we can all make a difference"
Why did you start volunteering with the Law Foundation?
Early in my career, I volunteered to help abused women in San Francisco and later was on the Board of the Legal Aid Society in San Mateo. I loved that work and saw how important it is for people to have access to advocates. As my family grew, I found less time for legal volunteering but now that my kids are older, I wanted to find a way to contribute again. I had a friend who mentioned the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley and when I saw their Name and Gender Marker Change Clinic, I knew this was an area I wanted to invest my time in. My son is transgender and this is a community that I really care about helping.
How has your experience been?
It's been very personally rewarding and fulfilling. The clients that I've had the opportunity to help so far greatly appreciate the assistance with obtaining a court order for their name and gender marker changes. Having helped my son through this same process, I know how much this seemingly simple change has meant in his day to day life.
What is special about volunteering with the LF?
The Law Foundation staff is very welcoming and open to ideas from their volunteers. I am personally interested in seeing what more can be done to help the transgender community and the staff have been wonderful about listening and exploring ideas. I felt like what I could contribute was really valued.
The Law Foundation offered a comprehensive training for volunteers that addressed both the nuts and bolts of the legal forms and process related to name and gender marker changes as well as a good overview of gender awareness issues. The training really prepared you to work with this community and have conversations that enabled the clients to feel at ease working with the clinic volunteers. It was very well done, very laid out, and easy to follow. Transitioning to doing it virtually, the Law Foundation team has been really focused on making sure volunteers have all the right information so we can continue this work even if we aren't in-person.
Is there a moment that stands out to you?
The first person I helped. When we sat down, I could tell he was a little nervous. Understandably so-he's had to show up at this place, he wants help with his legal paperwork, and he doesn't know me. Being able to sit down and start with "Hi, my name is Angela, my pronouns are she and her. What are yours?" I could see the relief in his face. I could see him relax and we had a great conversation. The training really led me to start on the right note. It seemed like he felt he was in a safe space where he could get what he needed, and it wasn't going to be a struggle. Knowing how many not safe places there are for transgender people through my son's own experience, I felt grateful to be part of an the organization providing a crucial service in a safe place.
What would you tell someone who is thinking of volunteering?
I personally still struggle with finding time to volunteer. But carving out a small amount of time to help people in our community, especially groups who are heavily impacted by COVID-19, gave me back far more than the investment I made. Doing something with a purpose energized me and reminded me how we can all make a difference.
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