Access to Counsel Continues
The Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara will continue its innovative Access to Counsel pilot program with the City of Santa Barbara for a second year.
The program provides a free attorney in at least 80 matters per year to low-income residents and families who are at risk of eviction. The goals of the program are to prevent housing instability and homelessness, to ensure fair outcomes in court, and to ensure that city policies regarding housing are being enforced.
Nationwide, fewer than 5% of tenants in eviction cases are represented by an attorney, compared to more than 80% of landlords, the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel estimates (Cal Matters). Learn more about the Foundation here.
Legal Aid Foundation
Donate now!www.lafsbc.org
(805) 963-6754 x103
Executive Director: Jennifer Smith
Mission
Our mission is to provide high-quality civil legal services to low-income and other vulnerable residents in order to ensure equal access to justice. We change lives through direct representation, legal advice and information, and community education.
Begin to Build a Relationship
We know you care about where your money goes and how it is used. Connect with this organization’s leadership in order to begin to build this important relationship. Your email will be sent directly to this organization’s director of development and/or Executive Director.
I am thankful for the good, professional services of Legal Aid.”
“Thank you for being here for the community. You are SO needed.”
Help Keep Civil Legal Assistance Free to the Vulnerable
“There’s no government guarantee to have counsel for civil legal services,” says Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County’s Executive Director Jennifer Smith. That’s why the Legal Aid Foundation makes it their mission.
“While we receive some support from the State Bar, we really rely on contributions from our community to be able to provide representation for the poor and indigent among us.”
$3,000 covers one full legal case – getting someone an attorney to help close that civil justice gap.
But every dollar donated helps Legal Aid Foundation continue to provide its often life-saving services.
Key Supporters
The Santa Barbara Foundation
Montecito Bank & Trust
American Riviera Bank
State Bar of California
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women