If you’re struggling with eviction or housing insecurity, you’re not alone. Since 1996, the Eviction Defense Collaborative (EDC) has been a lifeline for thousands of San Francisco residents, helping them stay in their homes and navigate the complex world of housing rights. What began as a small self-help legal aid initiative has evolved into a robust, citywide eviction prevention program that provides tenants with the support they need, whether they’re facing eviction, seeking housing resources, or simply learning about their rights.
Whether you’re facing housing insecurity, want to understand your rights, or are simply learning about efforts to combat homelessness, this post offers a detailed look at how we have evolved over nearly three decades to meet the changing needs of San Franciscans.
1996–1999: A Grassroots Beginning
EDC launched in 1996 with a single staff member and a coalition of volunteers from 12 local organizations. The mission was clear: help tenants respond to eviction lawsuits in time to avoid default judgments, one of the leading drivers of forced displacement at the time.
In these early years, EDC focused on providing essential legal help to tenants navigating eviction lawsuits—support that was often lacking for many facing housing instability. Even in its earliest days, we held to a core belief that continues to drive our work: eviction prevention is a key component of homelessness prevention.
2000–2010: Growing Infrastructure, Growing Impact
As the housing crisis deepened in the early 2000s, we grew to meet the rising demand. What started as legal assistance expanded to include support for tenants in shelters, recognizing that housing instability extends far beyond eviction and into temporary or transitional housing.
Key milestones:
- Development of standardized legal resources for tenants.
- Increased partnerships with community organizations and legal service providers.
- Establishment of a formal client intake system to streamline assistance.
This period marked EDC’s transformation from a legal clinic into a coordinated, city-focused, holistic eviction prevention program.
2010–2017: Beyond the Courtroom — Addressing the Roots of Eviction
Our services became more proactive in the 2010s, expanding to help tenants before they reached the courtroom. With skyrocketing rent and stagnant wages pushing many to the brink, the organization introduced new programs aimed at promoting financial stability and advocating for shelter.
Two key programs launched:
- Shelter Client Advocacy: Supports individuals facing eviction from shelters, ensuring rules are applied fairly and residents can appeal wrongful decisions.
- Rental Assistance Disbursement Component (RADCo): Offers emergency rental aid and long-term rent subsidies, particularly for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income households struggling to make ends meet.
These additions enabled EDC to address the systemic and financial causes of eviction, rather than just the legal symptoms.
2018: Proposition F and a New Era of Tenant Rights
A watershed moment came in 2018 with the passage of Proposition F, also known as the “No Eviction Without Representation Act.” For the first time, all San Francisco tenants gained the right to free legal counsel during eviction proceedings.
EDC was named the lead agency for the Tenant Right to Counsel (TRC) program, coordinating legal representation citywide. No longer would tenants face their landlords in court alone. Legal defense became a right, not a privilege.
This sudden expansion of services reaffirmed EDC’s central role in San Francisco’s fight for housing justice.
2020–2022: Meeting the Pandemic Head-On
When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, EDC sprang into action to ensure services would continue uninterrupted. Within weeks, EDC developed a remote service model that enabled tenants to continue accessing services while adhering to local shelter-in-place requirements. The threat of mass evictions loomed, especially for low-income households that had been hit hardest by layoffs and reduced hours, and EDC responded with expanded services to meet the immediate needs.
EDC adapted by:
- Educating tenants on fast-changing eviction moratoriums and emergency rules.
- Scaling RADCo to distribute emergency rental aid to thousands.
- Advocating for stronger protections at both the city and state levels.
During the height of the pandemic, our services became a lifeline, keeping families in their homes and helping the city avoid an even deeper humanitarian crisis.
Then vs. Now: EDC as a Holistic Housing Resource
Today, EDC serves as a comprehensive homelessness prevention and eviction defense institution, addressing potential pathways into homelessness and working to stop displacement before it starts.
Core Services Include:
- Eviction Defense Legal Representation for tenants facing eviction lawsuits.
- Emergency Rental Assistance through the RADCo program.
- Shelter Client Advocacy for individuals at risk of losing access to city-funded shelters.
- Tenant Education, including multilingual Know Your Rights workshops.
We meet people where they are—legally, financially, and emotionally—offering wraparound services that stabilize lives and keep communities intact.
Who Can Get Help from EDC?
We serve any San Francisco resident facing eviction or housing insecurity, regardless of immigration status or income level.
You may be eligible for help if you:
- Live in San Francisco
- Have received an eviction notice, summons, or complaint
- Are at risk of losing shelter housing
- Need rental assistance to stay housed
Importantly, undocumented tenants are welcome, and EDC does not report immigration status.
EDC Today: A Community Anchor
Operating out of our central office at 976 Mission Street, EDC remains deeply embedded in the community. With a team of attorneys, advocates, and support staff, the organization provides services in person, by phone, and through outreach across the city.
Drop-In Hours (No Appointment Needed):
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
- 10:00–11:30 AM & 1:00–2:30 PM
By the Numbers: EDC’s Annual Impact
Last year, we delivered:
- Legal defense for over 2,100 households
- Clinic services for 3,000+ tenants
- Over $5 million in rental assistance
- A 93% success rate when representing tenants in court
These aren’t just numbers—they’re thousands of San Franciscans who are safer, more stable, and still in their homes because of EDC’s tireless work.
Real Stories, Real Impact
Listen to the stories of those who experienced a fear of eviction and went through the process with our help. Read here for an overview!
- Stephanie: Facing eviction while pregnant and under tremendous financial stress, Stephanie was worried she would lose her home before the arrival of her baby. With the help of EDC’s legal advocacy and emergency financial aid, she was able to stay housed, focus on her health, and prepare for motherhood in the comfort of a secure home.
- Anthony: Anthony had always paid his rent on time, but when a dispute over rent receipts arose, he found himself on the brink of eviction. EDC stepped in, helping him gather his records and effectively defending his tenancy in court. With their help, Anthony was able to keep his home and restore his peace of mind.
- Iris: After receiving an unexpected eviction notice, Iris turned to EDC for help. Through RADCo’s emergency rental assistance, Iris not only avoided eviction but was also connected with support services that helped her transition into long-term stable housing.
Need Help? EDC Is Here for You
Don’t wait until it’s too late—reach out today. Whether you’re facing eviction, need rental assistance, or want to understand your rights, we’re here to help. Our eviction prevention program services are free, confidential, and designed to support you every step of the way. Take action now and secure your housing future with EDC’s trusted help.
Visit or Contact:
- 976 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94103
- Drop-in: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
- 10:00–11:30 AM & 1:00–2:30 PM
- Legal Assistance: (415) 659-9184 | legal@evictiondefense.org
