Los Angeles County · A guide for teens & families
Housing questions.
A place to start in LA.
A letter about your home can leave you with a lot of questions. Start with the situation below. You’ll find someone to contact, what to ask, and help with school if housing changes.
01 / HOMEOWNERS
Behind on the mortgage?
LA County’s Department of Consumer and Business Affairs offers free foreclosure-prevention counseling for homeowners and landlords with 15 or fewer units in the county.
Contact LA County housing help →800-593-8222
homehelp@dcba.lacounty.gov
“We received a notice with this date on it. Can you help us understand what needs attention first?”
An adult can keep the notice and mortgage statement together for the conversation. If legal help is needed, Bet Tzedek may assist qualifying homeowners with foreclosure or fraud: 323-648-4715. Eligibility and capacity vary.
02 / RENTERS
A notice from the landlord or court?
A landlord’s foreclosure and a renter’s eviction are different processes. Keep the lease, rent receipts and every notice. An adult should get advice about the actual papers promptly.
Apply for help through Stay Housed LA →Help with the application: 888-694-0040
“We rent our home and received these papers. Is there a response deadline, and can someone review them?”
Stay Housed LA screens for eligibility, including income and qualifying notices or court papers. Representation is limited and is not guaranteed. If it cannot help, try the California Courts resource directory. Keep track of deadlines while seeking assistance.
03 / SCHOOL
School should be part of the plan.
If housing changes make getting to class difficult, tell a counselor or another school staff member. Ask for the district’s homeless-education liaison—even if you’re staying temporarily with someone you know.
“Our housing has changed, and getting to school is harder. Who can help me make a plan?”
LAUSD student housing support →LAUSD Homeless Education Office: 213-202-7581
Ask about enrollment, staying at your school when possible, and other support. The liaison can explain eligibility. Outside LAUSD, use the LA County district liaison directory.
04 / HOUSING TONIGHT
Need somewhere to stay?
Call 211 for local housing and family-shelter referrals. Tell the person if children are with you and ask which services you can contact now.
Find housing support through 211 LA →“Our family needs somewhere to stay. What options can we contact today?”
Availability and eligibility vary. A referral does not guarantee a bed or placement.
If you’re a teen, involve a trusted adult. Finding a place to stay should not fall on you alone.
A few things worth knowing
What does “foreclosure” mean in California?
A mortgage is a loan secured by a home. Foreclosure is the process used to sell that property to recover unpaid debt. Many California foreclosures are handled by a trustee without a court lawsuit. A Notice of Default and a Notice of Trustee’s Sale mark different stages.
Does a sale date mean we have to move that day?
A foreclosure sale date is not automatically a move-out date. What happens next depends on the situation and the papers received. Get qualified help promptly; this guide cannot calculate your deadline or tell you when you must leave.
What can I do as a teen?
You can tell an adult what is worrying you, ask what the plan is for school, and show them this guide. You are not responsible for paying the mortgage, negotiating with a lender or answering court papers yourself.