Renters in Oakland facing eviction have benefited from free legal assistance funded by the city, but this support is under threat as the city council considers budget reallocations. A $1 million contract with Centro Legal de la Raza, crucial for tenant services, might not be renewed. The organization's executive director highlights the ongoing struggles for funding amidst a budget crisis, despite a surge in eviction attempts since the pandemic moratorium ended. The need for legal aid remains critical as eviction filings exceed pre-pandemic levels.
"We haven't had the support internally that we've needed. Add that to the fact that there's this terrible budget crisis. We're finding across the landscape - and across the public sector - that funding for eviction defense is not a priority."
"After the three-year pandemic moratorium on evictions was lifted in Oakland and Alameda County, eviction attempts skyrocketed. The filings are still well above the number that was typical before the pandemic."
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