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Press Releases & Statements

Advocates Urge Riverside to Reverse Unlawful Affordable Housing Vote Ahead of State Civil Rights Mediation

Community members urged the City Council to reverse course on the proposed 114-unit affordable and supportive housing development just three days before state-facilitated mediation.

August 12, 2026

Civil Rights Icon Dolores Huerta to Come to Sacramento to Urge State Leaders to Protect Californians from Food Aid Cuts

Coalition Will Join Renowned Activist at State Capitol to Call on Lawmakers to Counter Federal Cuts Hitting Kids, Immigrant Families

PILP Is Hiring Our Next Director of Litigation & Advocacy

The Public Interest Law Project (PILP) is seeking a Director of Litigation & Advocacy to drive statewide impact litigation and strategic advocacy across California.

California Civil Rights Department Opens Investigation Into Riverside Over Rejected Quality Inn Project

The state civil rights agency initiated action based on complaint filed by advocates. “In an environment where we have seen attacks on historically excluded communities of all types, we are pleased that the California Civil Rights Department is investigating the city’s actions," said Ugochi Anaebere-Nicholson of The Public Interest Law Project.

PILP in the News

Shasta Has Discussed Cutting Essential Social Services. California Says That’s a Legal Risk.

“It is undeniable that counties are in a bind with their budgets, but equal access to public benefits should not depend on a person’s ZIP code,” said Lauren Hansen, Staff Attorney at PILP

Tenants Sue Coronado, Corporate Landlords Alleging Illegal Displacement and Loss of Affordable Housing

“When the building owners accepted public funding to rehabilitate their private property, they entered into a contract with the City to keep the housing affordable and follow the laws of the state,” said Melody Osuna, staff attorney for the Public Interest Law Project. “Both the City and the owners have fallen short in their duties here.”

ACLU, Law Firm Reps Urge Riverside To Reconsider Affordable Housing Vote

“The city’s obligation under its Housing Element, that’s a mandatory duty,” Ugochi Anaebere-Nicholson, PILP staff attorney, said. “Those obligations are long standing, they are existing in the state laws and the city of Riverside is duty-bound to follow them.”

Legal Firms, Community Urge Council to Reconsider $20.1 Million Homekey Grant

"On January 13, the council voted 4-3 to reject a $20.1 million housing grant meant to turn the Quality Inn at 1590 University Avenue into 114 studio apartments for homeless and low-income residents. [The ACLU of Southern California and the Inland Counties Legal Services], along with PILP, partnered on Tuesday to urge the council to reconsider, hoping that litigation and notice of possible noncompliance would legally allow the council to bring the project back to the dais despite the deadline's passing."