Merced City News/Upcoming Events:
HOPe Lab and Cultiva Central Valley are collaborating with the Rural Health Equity and Learning Collaborative (HEAL) to host 1 of 3 a lunch and learning series in Merced. This series presents on immigration, health, and wellbeing in the San Joaquin Valley. Everyone is invited!
Date: April 8th 2025
Time: 4-7pm
Location: TBD
HOPe Lab y Cultiva Central Valley están colaborando con la Iniciativa de Equidad en Salud Rural y Aprendizaje (HEAL) para organizar 1 de 3 sesiones de aprendizaje en Merced. Esta serie aborda temas de inmigración, salud y bienestar en el Valle de San Joaquín. ¡Todos están invitados!
Fecha: 8 de abril de 2025
Hora: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Ubicación: Por confirmar
HOPe Lab News:
We got published in the Journal of Participatory Research Methods!
We are so excited to share that our work has been published in the Journal of Participatory Research Methods! In collaboration with Faith in the Valley (Fresno), and Cultiva Central Valley (Merced), the HOPe Lab has focused the housing work on tackling the critical issues of housing and health equity in California’s Central Valley. Our approach centers on anti-racist research practices, engaging directly with residents, and forming resident-led local organizing committees (LOCs) to drive change from the ground up. This publication highlights how our collaborative efforts empower communities and generate insights rooted in their lived experiences.
¡Nos han publicado en el Journal of Participatory Research Methods!
¡Estamos muy emocionados de compartir que nuestro trabajo ha sido publicado en el Journal of Participatory Research Methods! En colaboración con Faith in the Valley (Fresno) y Cultiva Central Valley (Merced), el HOPe Lab ha enfocado su trabajo en vivienda para abordar los problemas críticos de vivienda y equidad en salud en el Valle Central de California. Nuestro enfoque se basa en prácticas de investigación antirracistas, involucrando directamente a los residentes y formando comités locales de organización (LOCs) liderados por residentes para impulsar el cambio desde la base. Esta publicación resalta cómo nuestros esfuerzos colaborativos empoderan a las comunidades y generan conocimientos basados en sus experiencias vividas.
Rebecca, with the support of Power CA Action, published an Op-Ed in the Fresno Bee. The piece centers around Assembly Bill (AB) 2801 - the right to fair security deposit deductions. You can read more about AB2801 and how it would affect renters in California here.
Rebecca, con el apoyo de Power CA Action, publicó un artículo de opinión en The Fresno Bee. El artículo se centra en el Proyecto de Ley de la Asamblea (AB) 2801, el derecho a deducciones justas en los depósitos de seguridad. Puedes leer más sobre AB 2801 y cómo afectaría a los inquilinos en California aquí.
AB 2801 Updates and Summary:
AB 2801 introduces new regulations for how landlords manage and deduct from security deposits. According to this law, landlords can only make deductions for necessary repairs, contractor work, or carpet cleaning needed to restore the rental unit to its original condition, excluding normal wear and tear.
Additionally, landlords are required to document the unit's condition by taking before-and-after photographs when a tenant moves in and out. This visual documentation is designed to enhance transparency and serve as evidence in case of disputes regarding security deposit deductions.
Why Does This Matter?
AB 2801's stronger regulations aim to minimize disputes between tenants and landlords over security deposits. Such disagreements often escalate into legal issues, especially when tenants believe their deposits have been unjustly withheld.
By requiring proper documentation, particularly photographic evidence, the law helps create a clear record that can facilitate swift dispute resolution and reduce the likelihood of legal action. This shift towards accountability in the rental process benefits both tenants and landlords.