A 1998 study by the Blue Ribbon Citizens' Committee on Slum Housing in Los Angeles revealed startling facts about the difficulties tenants face in court without any legal assistance. Out of 32,000 eviction cases filed in the Central District of the Los Angeles Municipal Court that year:

	Approximately 42 percent of cases were resolved via a default judgment against the tenant
	Of the tenants that did respond to the complaint, 42 percent raised the existence of substandard conditions as a defense to the eviction action
	Of the cases that went to trial, the landlord won 84 percent of the time
	All of the tenants who prevailed at trial were represented by counsel
	Not a single un-represented tenant with a habitability case won at trial

Currently, the Municipal Court in downtown Los Angeles sets approximately 50 eviction cases for trial in Division 20 each morning.

The Unlawful Detainer Equal Access Project seeks to level the playing field by providing pro per defendants legal assistance to allow them to present a defense on the date of trial.

A team of Volunteer attorneys under the supervision of the Project Coordinator, are available to:

	Interview tenants
	Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the case
	Provide counsel and advice
	Assist in negotiation
	Provide representation where possible

Goals of the Project

• To represent in habitability trials in order to prevent eviction and obtain repairs.
• To preserve Section 8, Public Housing, and subsidized housing.
• To prevent violations of rent control laws.
• To secure additional time, a waiver of the rent, or prevention of eviction.

Search the LAFLA calendar for UDEAP clinics, workshops, and outreach.

The Unlawful Detainer Equal Access Project is a collaboration between:

	Bet Tzedek Legal Services
	Inner City Law Center
	Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
	Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice
	Los Angeles Housing Law Project
	Public Counsel
	San Fernando Valley Neighborhood Legal Services

For more information about Housing/Eviction Defense projects and services, please visit the Housing/Eviction Defense section.

Please explore this section to learn more about LAFLA's special projects.

 

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