Renters and Homeowners

A major area of stress and worry for residents is rent and Los Angeles’ high cost-of-living. To address this issue, the Watts Rising Collaborative’s Displacement Avoidance team has been providing the community of Watts with many resources aimed at helping them stay rooted in their community.

Services available:

Anti-Displacement Workshops

Housing Application Assistance

Financial Literacy

Tenants Rights Education

Free Tax Preparation Referrals

Housing Access Services

The Watts Rising Collaborative Displacement Team has been working with Watts/Century Latino Organization (W/CLO), a nonprofit organization that has served Watts for 30 years, to prevent displacement in the community.

In 2022, the DAWG team facilitated the following workshops:

  • Tenants Rights & Education- Pedro Gonzalez, Housing Investigator with LAHD, taught participants about their rights in the areas of rent, evictions, and COVID-19 rent protections
  • The Eviction Prevention Workshop with Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County and the Section 8 Waitlist Lottery Application Assistance Workshop- provided information on Section 8 and assisted individuals with completing the application online 
  • Utilities Assistance & Home Improvement Workshop- residents signed up for assistance through the PACE/HEAP program and learned about home improvement opportunities available (ie. solar panel installations through Grid Alternatives, Lead Hazard Remediation Program through LAHD, and Habitat LA’s Energy Efficiency Upgrades Program). 

Watts Rising Collaborative’s Displacement Avoidance team is dedicated to bringing resources and programs to the residents of Watts. For more information on upcoming Housing Access programs and helpful resources check out our Events page.

Financial Education

Increasing household income and lessening expenses is an important tool to help lessen displacement. Watts/Century Latino Organization has established a partnership with Haven Neighborhood Services and the Alliance for Economic Inclusion to increase financial education within the community of Watts. Goals include promoting economic security for residents by providing various financial education workshops, particularly for low- and moderate-income households, communities, and small businesses. Workshop topics include: money management, budgeting and savings, banking literacy, managing debt, building and managing your credit, protecting your identity and assets, preparing financially to buy a home, financial preparation and recovery, and much more! In 2023 the partnership will host free income tax preparation events to help Watts residents access any income tax return refunds that they may be eligible for.

Please visit the following link to sign-up and be added to our interest list so we can call you to make an appointment.