Press Release & Statements

For more than two decades, Melissa has dedicated her career to advancing justice for some of California’s most vulnerable communities. She'll begin her new role as PILP's new Director of Litigation & Advocacy in January.

“Mobile home parks are a crucial source of affordable housing and one of the few homeownership opportunities available to low- and moderate-income households,” said Melissa Morris, staff attorney at PILP. “Despite their name, mobile homes are almost never mobile. When mobile home parks close, residents lose what is often their most valuable asset, in addition to being forced from their homes and communities.”

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.

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

Housing justice organizations are needed now more than ever to advance development that strengthens communities and expands opportunities for those historically excluded from planning processes. We do not subscribe to a “growth first, equity later” approach because we have seen how that approach harms the communities we serve.

After three years of dedicated advocacy with the Public Interest Law Project (PILP), Staff Attorney Palmer Buchholz will be departing the organization. Palmer, you will be greatly missed, and we can’t wait to see all that you do next!

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.

“Councilmembers opposed to this project repeatedly framed the proposed supportive housing project as inherently criminal, dangerous, and incompatible with the community – not based on objective evidence but based on generalizations about the people who would reside in the development,” said Ugochi Anaebere-Nicholson, PILP Staff Attorney. “Statements that equate homelessness and behavioral health disability with criminality and violence reflect the type of stigmatizing stereotypes that cannot lawfully form the basis for this decision.”

‍“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. Both the City and the owners have fallen short in their duties here,” said Melody Osuna, Staff Attorney for the Public Interest Law Project.

The San Francisco Superior Court issued a strong ruling preserving core challenges to how San Francisco administers general relief cash assistance.

A California appeals court delivered a significant victory to residents of a mobilehome park in San Leandro, CA, when it ruled that the City of San Leandro properly denied a request by the owners of Bayshore Commons to raise rents by more than ten times the limit imposed by the City’s mobilehome space rent control law.

After a two year-long legal battle, the California Court of Appeal found that all cities, regardless of charter status, are bound by Article 14, by the Housing Element Law, and by the statutory remedies that are available when cities fail to comply with it. The ruling brings affordable housing advocates another step closer to seeing the city adopt a plan to ensure equitable housing opportunity for all its residents.

PILP and local partners released a new report analyzing the displacement risks facing long-term Altadena residents, especially Black Altadenans, in the wake of the Eaton Fire as outside investors rush in. It makes concrete policy recommendations for local and state leaders to protect families from displacement and preserve Altadena’s historic neighborhoods and residents.

PILP joins the Legal Aid Association of California in its statement on recent ICE raids.

At a time when the need for affordable housing and climate justice is paramount, why are legislators reducing affordable housing requirements and harming health protections in California?

This year, PILP focused on increasing land opportunities for affordable housing, protecting and advancing approved affordable housing projects from NIMBY challenges, and clarifying important relocation and replacement housing requirements across the state.

SAN BERNARDINO – The city of San Bernardino will repeal parts of its “Crime-Free Housing Program,” as well as update its Housing Element plan, after settling a lawsuit filed in February by three residents.

We are making public benefits real! Congrats to Community Legal Aid SoCal and PILP for this monumental victory leading to a new policy for administering general relief benefits in Orange County.

Federal Judge Cormac J. Carney resoundingly rejected the City of San Luis Obispo’s motion to dismiss, allowing a case brought by unhoused residents and Hope’s Village of SLO to move forward.

For more than two decades, Melissa has dedicated her career to advancing justice for some of California’s most vulnerable communities. She'll begin her new role as PILP's new Director of Litigation & Advocacy in January.

“Mobile home parks are a crucial source of affordable housing and one of the few homeownership opportunities available to low- and moderate-income households,” said Melissa Morris, staff attorney at PILP. “Despite their name, mobile homes are almost never mobile. When mobile home parks close, residents lose what is often their most valuable asset, in addition to being forced from their homes and communities.”

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.

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

Housing justice organizations are needed now more than ever to advance development that strengthens communities and expands opportunities for those historically excluded from planning processes. We do not subscribe to a “growth first, equity later” approach because we have seen how that approach harms the communities we serve.

After three years of dedicated advocacy with the Public Interest Law Project (PILP), Staff Attorney Palmer Buchholz will be departing the organization. Palmer, you will be greatly missed, and we can’t wait to see all that you do next!

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.

“Councilmembers opposed to this project repeatedly framed the proposed supportive housing project as inherently criminal, dangerous, and incompatible with the community – not based on objective evidence but based on generalizations about the people who would reside in the development,” said Ugochi Anaebere-Nicholson, PILP Staff Attorney. “Statements that equate homelessness and behavioral health disability with criminality and violence reflect the type of stigmatizing stereotypes that cannot lawfully form the basis for this decision.”

‍“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. Both the City and the owners have fallen short in their duties here,” said Melody Osuna, Staff Attorney for the Public Interest Law Project.

The San Francisco Superior Court issued a strong ruling preserving core challenges to how San Francisco administers general relief cash assistance.

A California appeals court delivered a significant victory to residents of a mobilehome park in San Leandro, CA, when it ruled that the City of San Leandro properly denied a request by the owners of Bayshore Commons to raise rents by more than ten times the limit imposed by the City’s mobilehome space rent control law.

After a two year-long legal battle, the California Court of Appeal found that all cities, regardless of charter status, are bound by Article 14, by the Housing Element Law, and by the statutory remedies that are available when cities fail to comply with it. The ruling brings affordable housing advocates another step closer to seeing the city adopt a plan to ensure equitable housing opportunity for all its residents.

PILP and local partners released a new report analyzing the displacement risks facing long-term Altadena residents, especially Black Altadenans, in the wake of the Eaton Fire as outside investors rush in. It makes concrete policy recommendations for local and state leaders to protect families from displacement and preserve Altadena’s historic neighborhoods and residents.

PILP joins the Legal Aid Association of California in its statement on recent ICE raids.

At a time when the need for affordable housing and climate justice is paramount, why are legislators reducing affordable housing requirements and harming health protections in California?

This year, PILP focused on increasing land opportunities for affordable housing, protecting and advancing approved affordable housing projects from NIMBY challenges, and clarifying important relocation and replacement housing requirements across the state.

SAN BERNARDINO – The city of San Bernardino will repeal parts of its “Crime-Free Housing Program,” as well as update its Housing Element plan, after settling a lawsuit filed in February by three residents.

We are making public benefits real! Congrats to Community Legal Aid SoCal and PILP for this monumental victory leading to a new policy for administering general relief benefits in Orange County.

Federal Judge Cormac J. Carney resoundingly rejected the City of San Luis Obispo’s motion to dismiss, allowing a case brought by unhoused residents and Hope’s Village of SLO to move forward.