AHA represents the poor in impact litigation and advocacy

History ~

Founded in 1991, AHA, then San Diego Friends of Legal Aid, raised support for special projects at Legal Aid Society of San Diego. In 1996, Congress reduced funding for legal services nationwide, and imposed restrictions limiting the type of cases Legal Aid can accept. Since then, AHA has represented the poor in impact cases and advocacy, helping to enhance and enforce affordable housing laws and tenants’ rights.

AHA is a nonprofit (501(c)(3)), public benefit corporation. AHA receives no funding from the Legal Services Corporation. As a qualified legal services project, AHA is funded in part by grants administered through the State Bar’s Legal Services Trust Fund Program. AHA relies on donations, contracts for services, grants and attorney fees awarded in successful litigation to provide free, high quality legal services to the poor. Financial and other information about AHA is available under its full name, San Diego Advocates for Social Justice, at www.guidestar.org

To make a tax decuctible donation or bequest, click here.

Projects ~

AHA provides legal representation in impact housing cases through two projects:
CLEAR and the Tenants’ Rights Project (TRP).

CLEAR (Community Leaders Ensuring Accountability in Redevelopment) addresses the critical need for affordable housing by educating and representing low income residents to enforce State Community Redevelopment Law’s (CRL’s) affordable housing obligations. Redevelopment agencies’ Low and Moderate Income Housing Funds represent the largest source of money in the region and statewide for affordable housing development. AHA helps low income residents ensure that Housing Funds are adequately capitalized and properly spent, and enforce agencies' minimum replacement and inclusionary housing obligations.

The Tenants’ Right Project (TRP) provides legal services to tenants, nonprofit community organizers and their constituents, to advocate for affordable housing and tenants’ rights.

To request legal services or refer a case to Project CLEAR or the TRP, please contact us.