DRC receives a wide range of different types of housing questions. We have reviewed some of the questions that we have received most often and compiled our answers into this publication. This publication covers issues such as eviction, rental assistance, reasonable accommodations, housing conditions, and more.

“Landlord retaliation” is an action taken by a landlord (or their staff/employees, or property managers) that is meant to punish a tenant for standing up for their tenant rights.

This fact sheet discusses the rights of people with disabilities to be free from disability-based discrimination by government agencies and certain businesses. The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide Housing Authority-specific information and examples. For more general information on Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications see our publication “Housing Discrimination Based on Disability - Your Rights and Options.”

This fact sheet discusses the rights of people with disabilities to be free from disability-based discrimination in housing under federal and California law.

This tells you about your right to have an assistance animal when your housing does not allow pets.  Assistance animal means an animal you need lives in your home. It can be a service animal or an emotional support animal. This pub tells you what to do if your landlord will not let you keep your assistance animal and tells you where to get help.

Verification letters are sometimes needed when making requests to housing providers. This publication describes what verification letters are and when they are needed. It also provides a sample request and template letter.

Electricity is necessary to power the devices we rely on daily. These devices are essential for a person’s health and safety. In 2012, the California Public Utilities Commission ruled that California Public Utilities Code Section 451 and 399.2(a) give electric utilities authority to shut off the electric power to protect public safety.

This guide provides general information to help prepare litigants (people who go to court without an attorney) to understand the unlawful detainer (also known as “eviction”) process. The unlawful detainer process is the legal process a landlord must go through to evict a tenant.

This fact sheet gives information on how tenants can protect their rights when their landlord files an eviction lawsuit. An eviction lawsuit is called an “Unlawful Detainer.” Once a landlord files an “Unlawful Detainer” lawsuit, a tenant can prevent being thrown out of their home by formally responding to the lawsuit and filing documents in court. One way to respond to the lawsuit is to complete and file an “Answer.”

Having access to safe housing is something we all need to thrive, but often times people with disabilities face barriers in accessing housing.  One tool that can help is requesting a reasonable accommodation so you can live freely and comfortably.