FAIR HOUSING COUNSELING & EDUCATION (Hayward, Livermore, and Palo Alto offices) - ECHO's Fair Housing Counseling Program conducts site investigations and enforcement in response to reports of housing discrimination complaints, performs audit-based investigations to determine degrees of housing discrimination existing in designated areas, and provides fair housing education for members of the housing industry including managers, owners, realtors. ECHO staff serves Southern Alameda County, Cupertino, Los Altos, Menlo Park, Redwood City, and Stanford. Click here for detailed fair housing information.
TENANT/LANDLORD COUNSELING & MEDIATION (Hayward and Livermore offices) - ECHO's Tenant/Landlord Counseling Program provides information to tenants and landlords in Southern Alameda County on their housing rights and responsibilities. Additionally, ECHO has trained mediators to assist in resolving housing disputes through conciliation and mediation. The primary objective of the program is to build awareness of housing laws and prevent homelessness. For information on Alameda County's Mandatory Rent Mediation Notification and Rent Mediation Services, go to the Links page, or email us at rentmediation@echofairhousing.com.
Click on the following links for information on the Berkeley Rent Control Ordinance, the Fremont Residential Rent Increase Dispute Resolution Ordinance, the Oakland Rent Control Ordinance, or the San Leandro Rent Mediation Ordinance.
HOMESEEKING (Livermore office) - ECHO's homeseeking services, offered to all residents of Livermore and Pleasanton, include information and referral to available housing, and counseling and education on the homseeking process.
SHARED HOUSING COUNSELING PLACEMENT (Livermore office) - ECHO's shared housing services, offered to all residents of Livermore and Pleasanton, include referral and matching services, counseling on shared living, supportive services, and information and referral. Staff also provides educational workshops on shared living.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM / RAP (Hayward, Livermore, and Oakland offices) - ECHO's Rental Assistance Program assists Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Oakland, Pleasanton, and San Leandro residents with move-in costs or delinquent rent due to a temporary financial setback. The RAP program helps by arranging a guaranteed repayment contract between the tenant and the landlord.
RENT/DEPOSIT GRANT PROGRAM (Hayward and Oakland offices) - ECHO staff processes grant applications for in-house Alameda County clients who are eligible and have three-day notices or need move-in funds.
HUD MORTGAGE DEFAULT (Hayward and Livermore offices) - ECHO's HUD Mortgage Default Program assists families and individuals in Southern Alameda County who are in jeopardy of losing their homes due to foreclosure. Staff works with clients to arrange repayment plans and ensure continued occupancy.
HOMEBUYER’S EDUCATION LEARNING PROGRAM/HELP (Hayward, Livermore, and Palo Alto offices) - Counseling for first time homebuyers is available to Southern Alameda County residents. Two four-hour classes provide information on preparing to buy a home including: cleaning up your credit, savings plans, shopping for lenders, loan pre-approval, fair housing laws, and more. Completion of classes is necessary for certification.
HOME EQUITY CONVERSION COUNSELING AND EDUCATION / HEC (Contra Costa County, Hayward, and Oakland offices) - ECHO's Home Equity Conversion Counseling program provides information and counseling regarding reverse mortgages and other alternatives to low-income senior homeowners, their family members, and significant others. Reverse Mortgages allow older homeowners to convert their home equity into cash, while remaining in their homes and neighborhoods. The geographic area served includes all of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. 
