CSUB partners with attorneys to offer workshop on tenant rights

Forum to offer guidance on laws, protections as evictions soar in California

By California State University, Bakersfield

February 21^st, 2024

Attorneys will educate tenants on their rights and protections on a range of housing issues, including the eviction process, housing discrimination and rent control, as well as a wave of legislation signed by Governor Gavin Newsom to address California’s housing insecurity crisis at a free workshop March 1 at Beale Memorial Library in Bakersfield.

The CSUB Legal Information and Support Clinic, the Law Firm of H.A. Sala, Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance and Beale Memorial Library are partnering to offer the informational workshop, which runs from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Space is limited to about 50 participants. To attend, email Dr. Jeanine Kraybill chair and associate professor of CSUB’s Department of Political Science and the Pre-Law Program director — at jkraybill@csub.edu.

Dr. Kraybill said local attorneys are volunteering their time to provide the service. Though the workshop is open to the entire community, audience members who might benefit the most are tenants, the housing insecure, people facing eviction, tenants who suspect they may have experienced housing discrimination, and anyone who wishes to learn more about fair housing.

“The mission of the CSUB Legal Information and Support Clinic is to expose our students to the law by working with local attorneys in the field and also being a resource for community through hosting events that not only provide legal services, but educational information so that individuals can be empowered as they navigate the legal system,” Dr. Kraybill said. “The work of the clinic program could not be done without the support of our community partners, supervising attorneys, and the Law Firm of H.A. Sala.”

Evictions have soared throughout California and Kern County following a long pause on enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Bakersfield is in the process of establishing an Eviction Protection Program supported by Measure N tax funds, but Dr. Kraybill said the workshop organizers wanted to act now in order to educate tenants of their rights.

Nearly 17 million Californians — 44% of all state residents — live in homes that are rented, and more than half of California renter households are housing cost-burdened, placing them at increased risk of housing instability and homelessness, according to the California Budget and Policy Center. Californians who are especially likely to be renters include those with lower incomes.

Tenant Rights and Housing Discrimination Workshop

What: Workshop designed to educate tenants about their rights and protections. The first hour or so will consist of presentations by local attorneys. The second half of the workshop will allow audience members to ask questions of the panel.