Renters are Half of Palo Alto!
Approximately, 46% of Palo Altans are renters but our voices and priorities are often left out of the conversation. In 2023, Palo Alto Forward merged with the Palo Alto Renters Association. Initiated in 2020, the Renters Association made every single policy priority named by their forming body a reality except making Palo Alto more affordable. Their work influenced the establishment of a rental registry and strengthened tenant protections. Working through Palo Alto Forward on the final goal, affordability, allows us to share resources in addressing policies to expand new housing policies. Read more about the merger in our blog post here and join us at an event.
Tenant Resources
Palo Alto Forward is focused on advocating for policies that preserve stability, protect tenants and low-income community members, and allow production of abundant housing.
Some of our local partners work directly with tenants who want help with landlord negotiations, understanding their rights, managing rent increases, unfair evictions, and general advice. Here are locally available resources to help.
Understanding your rights as a tenant:
The City of Palo Alto maintains documents, including a Notice of Tenant Rights and a Tenant Guide on their Tenant Resources page which provide information about rights provided and protected within the city.
Project Sentinel regularly hosts in-person and virtual seminars on tenants’ rights in English and Spanish. Some presentations may not be focused on Palo Alto, but will provide context on tenant rights from the county and state level.
Finding Affordable Housing
Palo Alto has failed to build enough affordable homes so there are long waitlists when you apply for affordable housing. The City of Palo Alto maintains a list of affordable housing providers in the city and surrounding community.
Defending your rights
The Housing Pro Bono Project works with Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (“CLSEPA”) to help renters with housing issues in the communities that surround Stanford. Students work with CLSEPA staff to defend clients against eviction, discrimination, and illegal increases in rent, as well as to resolve habitability issues. Call them at (650) 326-6440 to learn more about their walk-in hours and resources.
Bay Area Legal Aid has in-person and Hotline legal advice support found here: Baylegal.Org
Click here to see the Renter Resource page from the City of Palo Alto. It includes information about Landlord-Tenant Mediation (a FREE service paid for by the City): PaloAltoMediation.Com
Rental Assistance and Services for Unhoused Community Members: Preventhomelessness.Org