ABOUT heart
Founded in Los Angeles in 2018, Housing Equity & Advocacy Resource Team (HEART) is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to addressing a critical issue in the Los Angeles area: helping low-income individuals, families, and their pets maintain stable housing. Many vulnerable residents face the heart-wrenching decision to surrender their beloved animal companions when confronted with eviction or homelessness, compounding the trauma of losing their homes. This problem not only affects human well-being but also contributes to overcrowding in animal shelters.
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Our innovative approach bridges the gap between housing security and animal well-being by combining free legal assistance with pet-supportive resources, ensuring that people and their pets can stay together and housed. By addressing both human and animal needs, HEART provides a holistic approach to preventing homelessness and preserving the vital human-animal bond.
your pets should never be a reason to lose your home
mission
To keep people and their pets together by advocating for pet-inclusive housing rights and providing free legal services to tenants at risk of eviction due to their companion animals.
vision​
We envision a world where no pet-owner is forced to choose between their beloved companion and a safe, stable home. HEART strives for a future where housing policies and services universally support the bond between humans and animals, fostering compassionate communities where everyone can thrive together.​
purpose
HEART was founded to address the intersection of housing rights and animal welfare, particularly focusing on preventing housing insecurity among pet owners. We work to empower renters and pet owners through legal services and education, and support housing advocates and attorneys in assisting pet-owning clients.
CORE VALUES
EQUITY​​​​​
We believe everyone deserves secure housing, regardless of their pet ownership.
EMPOWERMENT
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We equip clients with tools to not only know, but enact, and defend their rights.
COMPASSION
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We recognize the deep emotional bonds between people and their pets.
JUSTICE ​
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We fight discrimination against pet ownership in housing with proactive legal advocacy.