Housing and Legal Services
Safe shelter, stable housing, and clear legal options can all affect a survivor’s safety and ability to move forward. Advocates help identify housing pathways, address barriers, and navigate restraining-order and court processes without pressure or cost.
Cost
Free
Eligibility
Survivors and their children; eligibility varies by program
Covering
Santa Clara County
Language
English and Spanish; interpretation in other languages available
Options
Emergency shelter, housing advocacy, homelessness prevention, legal advocacy, and referrals
Peaceful Contact Workshops
Peaceful Contact is a modification to a Criminal Protective Order that allows contact between the restrained and protected person as long as the contact remains peaceful.
NDS offers free weekly virtual workshops in English and Spanish with information about the Peaceful Contact process and how to request a modification.
English: Fridays at 12:00 PM
Español: Mondays at 3:30 PM
What the Process Looks Like
Start by calling the 24/7 hotline or community office. An advocate will ask whether it is safe to talk, learn what you need, and help assess immediate safety, housing risk, and legal concerns. Together, you can explore shelter, hotel, homelessness-prevention, housing, restraining-order, court-support, and community options. Availability and eligibility vary. You decide which options to pursue.
Our Approach
Our housing and legal advocacy is survivor-centered, trauma-informed, culturally-responsive, and practical. We recognize that safety is connected to income, childcare, transportation, immigration concerns, health, disability, credit, access to affordable housing, and legal systems. We do not impose a single path.
Our Housing & Legal Advocacy Programs
Housing needs can change over time. Next Door Solutions offers and participates in several programs so survivors can access immediate safety, prevent homelessness, and work toward lasting housing stability.
Advocates provide information, practical support, and referrals to help survivors understand options and prepare for restraining-order and court processes.
Shelter Next Door
Confidential emergency shelter and crisis support.
Our confidential emergency shelter program serves survivors and their children who need immediate safety. Residents receive shelter, food, basic needs, safety planning, advocacy, case management, and connections to children’s and other services. When the shelter is full or is not the right fit, advocates help survivors of all genders explore other safe options. Pet-friendly space may be available, and advocates can help identify temporary pet care when needed.
Housing First Program
Flexible support to obtain and maintain safe housing.
Housing First combines individualized advocacy, housing search and landlord support, case management, and flexible financial assistance. Support may help with deposits, short-term rent, transportation, documents, utilities, safety-related expenses, or other barriers that could cause homelessness or make housing harder to maintain.
Restraining-Order Support
Information and practical help with the process.
Advocates help survivors assess risk, safety plan, and understand restraining-order options. Obtaining a restraining order may not be a safe option for everyone. An advocate can help you consider what may be safest for your situation.
Peaceful Contact Workshops
Free weekly virtual workshops in English and Spanish.
Peaceful Contact is a modification to a Criminal Protective Order that allows contact between the restrained and protected person as long as the contact remains peaceful. NDS offers free weekly virtual workshops in English and Spanish with information about the Peaceful Contact process and how to request a modification.
English: Fridays at 12:00 PM
Español: Mondays at 3:30 PM
Court Preparation and Accompaniment
Support before and during court processes.
Advocates can help survivors prepare for court and may provide accompaniment depending on current program capacity and schedule.
Legal Information and Referrals
Connections to the right legal resources.
Advocates provide legal information, help identify questions and documents, and connect survivors with legal clinics, attorneys, and other services when needed.
Homelessness Prevention System (HPS)
Support for survivors at risk of losing their housing.
NDS participates in Santa Clara County’s Homelessness Prevention System, helping eligible survivors who are currently housed but at risk of becoming homeless. Support can include temporary financial assistance, case management, legal support, and connections to other resources.
Call our community office at (408) 501-7550 to learn more and find out whether you qualify. Eligibility and assistance vary by household circumstances and available funding.
We’re Here to Help
You do not have to be certain that what you are experiencing is abuse, and you do not have to know what you want to do next. A trained advocate can listen, help you assess safety, and talk through options without judgment or pressure.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
24/7 Hotline
Call (408) 279-2962. A trained advocate answers every hour of every day for crisis support, safety planning, information, shelter screening, and referrals.
Safe Chat
Chat online with a trained advocate during Safe Chat hours. Remember that browser and device activity may still be visible to someone with access.
Language Access
Services are available in English and Spanish, and interpretation can be arranged in other languages.
Community Office
1400 Parkmoor Ave., Suite 120, San Jose, CA 95126. Open Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. Closed weekends and holidays. Call (408) 501-7550.
FAQs
Clear answers to common questions. You can also contact us directly for support or more information.
Call the 24/7 hotline at (408) 279-2962. Shelter availability changes, and an advocate can screen for current options and help identify alternatives.
No. A police report or restraining order is not required to ask for housing support.
Programs are designed to support survivors and their children. Eligibility and space vary by program, so an advocate will discuss your household’s needs.
Some shelter space is pet-friendly. When it is unavailable, we work with survivors on options and next steps.
You may contact us regardless of immigration status. An advocate can discuss program requirements and connect you with immigration-related legal resources when useful.
Other Ways We Help Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
Every situation is different. Our trained and experienced advocates listen, create safety plans, help identify options, and connect people with the support and resources they need.
Immediate Help
A 24/7 hotline, walk-in help, Safe Chat, safety planning, risk assessment, shelter screening, crisis advocacy, information, and referrals.
Support Groups and Healing Services
Support groups, workshops, counseling, children’s services, and case management support healing and stability. Workshops include Peaceful Contact and Parenting After Violence.
Violence Prevention, Education, and Systems Change
Community education, youth prevention, healthcare partnerships, outreach, training, and systems change strengthen community responses to intimate partner violence.
