Affordable Housing Advocates (AHA)

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 which limit 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 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. AHA provides legal representation in impact housing and tenants’ rights cases through two projects: Project IMPACT and the Tenants’ Rights Project. Project IMPACT represents clients in their fight for housing justice by enforcing laws that require planning, funding and development of affordable housing and balanced communities. The Tenants’ Rights Project (TRP) works to save rental housing and helps tenants in their fight for decent housing.