Got an Eviction Notice in San Jose? Your First 3 Moves

An eviction notice is not a court order — and it does not mean you have to leave today. What it does mean: the clock is running. These are the first three moves to make, in order, starting today.

Move 1 — Free legal help, today

Before you sign anything, before you agree to a move-out date, call a free lawyer. Court deadlines in an eviction case are short, and the free lawyers below can only help if you call while there is still time.

• City of San Jose Eviction Help Center — (408) 975-4444. City Hall, 12th floor, 200 E. Santa Clara Street.
• Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, Housing Program — (408) 280-2424. Free eviction and tenant legal help, 4 N. Second Street, Suite 1300.
• Project Sentinel — 1-800-339-6043. Tenant–landlord counseling and dispute resolution; fair housing help at 1-888-324-7468.

If the paper you got came from a court, do not ignore it. A missed court date becomes a lost case.

Move 2 — Money to stay

A money problem may have a money fix. Three doors, in order:

1. The Homelessness Prevention System (HPS): (408) 516-5100. If you could lose your housing in about the next 14 days, HPS can offer temporary rent money, legal support, and case management. No information about immigration status is collected.
2. Your ZIP code’s Emergency Assistance Network (EAN) agency — rent, deposit, and utility help from the nonprofit assigned to your ZIP:
   • Sunnyvale Community Services — Sunnyvale: (408) 738-4321.
   • West Valley Community Services — Cupertino and the west valley: (408) 956-6110.
   • Community Services Agency — Mountain View: (650) 968-0836.
   • South County Compassion Center — Gilroy and the south county: (408) 842-6662.
   • Sacred Heart Community Service — central San Jose: 1381 S. First Street.
3. Sacred Heart Community Service also helps with back rent, deposits, and utilities at 1381 S. First Street.

Move 3 — If you have to leave tonight

If there is no safe way to stay tonight, call the Here4You hotline: (408) 385-2400 — it makes shelter placements across Santa Clara County. Call before dark; beds go fast. For any crisis at any hour, 2-1-1 is free, confidential, and 24/7.

Know your rights before you sign

San Jose has an Apartment Rent Ordinance and tenant protections. Our directory lists them under “Renting Has Its Rights” — check what your landlord can and cannot do before you sign any agreement.

Your checklist for today

• [ ] Call free legal help: (408) 975-4444 or (408) 280-2424
• [ ] Call HPS at (408) 516-5100 if you could lose your housing in about 14 days
• [ ] Call your ZIP’s EAN agency for rent or deposit help
• [ ] If you have to leave tonight, call Here4You at (408) 385-2400 before dark
• [ ] Do not ignore any court paper

→ See what other help your household may qualify for — food, bills, cash aid

See also: Rent help in San Jose: every door, in order · Emergency help: bills, eviction & tonight