Holistic Legal Advocacy for the Homeless: Strategies for Addressing Benefits, Housing and Social Services Issues Facing Homeless Populations

June 5, 2014
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
PLI San Francisco Conference Center & Via Live Webcast
Free!

To Register:
http://www.pli.edu/Content/Seminar/Holistic_Legal_Advocacy_for_the_Homeless/_/N-4kZ1z12b2h?fromsearch=false&ID=219902


Why You Should Attend
This introduction to the Holistic Legal Advocacy Model and substantive law training provides the powerful tools needed to transform the lives of homeless clients. Practitioners from the Homeless Advocacy Project ("HAP") at the Justice & Diversity Center of The Bar Association of San Francisco will share their expertise in holistic legal advocacy and insights for effectively assisting homeless clients. Attend this free program and then volunteer with your local legal services agency to represent homeless clients or those at risk of homelessness.

What You Will Learn
This training will provide an overview in the primary areas of practice we have found to have the most impact on homelessness, as well as an introduction to HAP's Holistic Legal Services Model. The program will cover:
• Social Security Disability Benefits Advocacy
• Fair Housing and Eviction Defense
• Motion Practice Specific to Unlawful Detainer
• Other Legal Issues Related to Benefits

Who Should Attend
Any attorney interested in providing pro bono assistance to homeless clients or clients at risk of homelessness and particularly California licensed attorneys would benefit from attending this program.


Program Schedule

9:00
Program Overview and Introductions
Katie Danielson, Teresa Friend

9:15
Social Security Disability Benefits Advocacy
An important component towards a solution to homelessness is securing a source of income. Many clients qualify for disability benefits, however unique obstacles related to mental illness and poverty keep them from navigating the bureaucracy inherent in the application process. This segment will provide an overview of the legal standard and applicable law, the five step sequential evaluation process, factual development and evidence gathering and tips on advocacy as it arises in these claims.
Katie Danielson

11:15
Networking Break

11:30
Overview of Social Service Issues and the Model of Holistic Legal Services
Harm Reduction is the centerpiece of HAP's unique model of holistic legal services. All of our clients are evaluated to identify any social service needs they might have that could positively affect their legal case. This segment will cover the variety of social service needs of the client population, harm reduction concepts and strategies and how to optimally utilize social services as an integral part of advocating for the client.
Julie Rosenthal

12:30
Lunch

1:45
Eviction Defense and Fair Housing
The focus of our eviction defense work is cases involving clients who are at risk of homelessness due to disability and Fair Housing defense. This segment will provide an overview of the Unlawful Detainer process, aspects of Fair Housing and reasonable accommodation defenses, fact development and case management, discovery strategies, and tips on unique issues that arise when working with disabled clients.
Katie Danielson, Erin Katayama

3:45
Networking Break

4:00
Motion to Vacate Default
An Unlawful Detainer lawsuit is a summary proceeding and tenants are provided little time to take action. Those unable to respond to the complaint within the required five day time period find themselves with a default judgment, and no opportunity to provide defense. This segment will provide the relevant law and procedure required to file a Motion to Vacate a Default judgment.
Katie Danielson

5:00
Adjourn