Four agencies that handle different slices of Pasadena's housing puzzle will share one room for the first time on Friday, Aug. 28, offering free drop-in counseling to renters, landlords and anyone navigating housing instability.
The Rent Stabilization Department, Friends In Deed, the Housing Rights Center and the city's Department of Housing will staff the expanded "Chats & Snacks with a Housing Counselor" event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., according to a city press release.
It is the fourth installment of the Chats & Snacks series, which launched in February, but the first to bring multiple housing providers under one roof.
"What started as a way to bring Housing Counselors directly into the community is evolving into an opportunity to connect residents with an even broader range of housing resources," Rent Stabilization Director Helen Morales said in the city's Aug. 20 announcement.
What each agency will cover
Rent Stabilization Department — rent stabilization laws, tenant and landlord rights, rent increases, petitions and rental registration.
Department of Housing — affordable housing, rental assistance and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) services.
Housing Rights Center — free landlord-tenant and fair housing counseling, including discrimination concerns and disability-related reasonable accommodations.
Friends In Deed — resources for individuals and families facing financial hardship, housing instability or homelessness, including food assistance.
How it works
Brief presentations will open the event, followed by one-on-one conversations with representatives from each agency. No registration or appointment is needed. Drop-ins are welcome any time, though those who want to hear the presentations should arrive at 11 a.m.
Coffee and snacks will be provided. Counselors will assist in both English and Spanish.
The multi-agency format arrives as housing remains a pressure point citywide. The Pasadena Rental Housing Board voted Aug. 21 to recommend the City Council consider an indoor heat cap for renters, according to Pasadena Now. The step was prompted by a new Los Angeles County rule setting an 82-degree indoor temperature standard for unincorporated areas, including Altadena, that takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. Pasadena renters are not covered by that county rule.
For more information, call (626) 744-7999 or visit cityofpasadena.net/rent-stabilization.
Upcoming community events in Pasadena
- Friday, Aug. 28 — Chats & Snacks with a Housing Counselor, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Free.
- Sunday, Aug. 30 — Rose Parade float documentary premiere, Hollywood.
