New national report on social housing available!
"Building Our Future: Grassroots Reflections on Social Housing" examines a growing movement to create permanently affordable housing that is publicly, collectively or non-profit owned and under community control.
Read the report
Governor Newsom releases the 2024-2025 state budget proposal revision
Click here to read through PA's analysis on what it gets right and what can be improved in terms of education, housing, and transit equity.
Read more
Public Advocates urges CA college leaders to protect the rights of students and engage in dialogue
"Student protests are a part of our country’s rich democratic history and have been integral to advancing social justice—on and off of college campuses. We call on university leaders to protect students’ First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly. Regardless of opinion, college administrators owe students an opportunity for expression and dialogue."
Read the full statement.
CalMatters: Shady business owners can hide behind LLCs. California should make their identities public
Op-ed by Senior Staff Attorney, Suzanne Dershowitz
Read more
Public Advocates demands state to end the state’s highly discriminatory system for funding school facilities.
The status quo is an unequal system in which students in low-wealth districts receive an education inferior to that of their peers in higher-wealth districts.
Read more
Public Advocates Files Complaint to Address Educator Staffing Concerns in West Contra Costa School District
Attorneys at Public Advocates have uncovered numerous teacher vacancies, and the illegal practice of using rolling substitute teachers instead of filling these vacancies with permanent educators.
Read more
A new report exposes how for-profit developers are exploiting a loophole in state law to impose exorbitant rent increases on low-income residents
Read more

News

From waging battles for affordable housing throughout the Bay Area to winning increased opportunities for a quality education in the courts, Public Advocates stays in the news. Here’s the latest…

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Los Angeles Times: California voters could see schools bond and historic climate initiative on November ballot

July 2, 2024—Los Angeles Times staff reporter, Mackenzie Mays, who covers government and politics for the Sacramento Bureau wrote about the education bond and why Public Advocates is still lobbying for change as it moves into it’s final stages for vote. SACRAMENTO —  California lawmakers have announced plans to pursue bond measures that would add $20 […]

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Ed Source: $10 billion school construction bond headed to Nov. 5 ballot: what’s in it?

July 2, 2024—Managing Attorney John Affeldt spoke with Ed Source reporter John Fensterwald about the current school bond in the legislature and the issues of inequity it continues to surface.  Affeldt retorted to questions about a potential lawsuit: “… what I can say is the Legislature could not have written a better roadmap to get sued.” […]

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Politico: Democratic leaders agree to $10B bond for California schools and community colleges

July 2, 2024—Managing Attorney John Affeldt spoke with Politico reporter Blake Jones about the inequitites of the current school bond the legislature is pushing forward, what it really means for long disinvested in lower wealth and rural  communities and if a lawsuit is coming. This story appeared in Politico Pro. SACRAMENTO, California — Gov. Gavin […]

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Our Work

We challenge the systemic causes of poverty and racial discrimination by strengthening community voices in public policy and achieving tangible legal victories advancing education, housing, transit equity and climate justice.

Quality Education & Financing

Striving to ensure children receive a quality education that will prepare them for college, careers and the future.

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Housing
Justice

Advancing the right of families to live in communities jobs, schools and city services regardless of ethnicity or income.

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TransportationJustice

Meeting the needs of low-income communities by fighting for more public transit and reduced or free fares for youth.

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Climate
Justice

Targeting the needs of low-income communities; advancing  social equity through investments and opportunities.

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