Affordability Response Team

Americans across the country are feeling squeezed by a wall of rising costs. Housing shortages, skyrocketing grocery prices, rising healthcare and childcare costs, predatory corporate behavior, and the federal government's unstable economic policies are all making it difficult not only to cover the basics, but to enjoy many of the things hardworking Americans should be able to afford — like a family vacation or a dinner out.

Because these challenges are longstanding and complex, tackling the affordability crisis requires creative thinking and a willingness to attack the problem from all angles.

In June 2026, Attorney General Bonta announced the creation of the first-of-its-kind Affordability Response Team within the California Department of Justice. The Affordability Response Team will draw on the expertise of experts from sections across the department, working together to find, investigate, and go after individuals and corporations deploying unlawful practices that are making life unaffordable for the people of California.

Focus Areas:

The Affordability Response Team will focus on going after unlawful conduct in:

Grocery, Gas, and Utility Costs

Housing & Insurance Costs

Healthcare Costs

Childcare, Education, & Retirement Costs

Leisure Costs

Financial Product Costs

Labor, Wages, and the Cost of Doing Business

Scams

RESOURCES

Healthcare: Learn more about the Healthcare Rights and Access Team's efforts to bring down healthcare costs and protect competition in healthcare.

Housing: Learn more about the Housing Justice Team and access resources for tenants and homeowners on the Housing Justice Team's webpage.

Tenants who need legal help can find legal aid resources in their area at www.LawHelpCA.org.

Consumer Protection: Learn how to look out for common scams, protect your financial future, and more on from DOJ's Consumer Protection team.

If you have a complaint about a business who is not complying with consumer protection or other laws, consumers can visit DOJ's reporting page to submit a complaint.

Antitrust: Antitrust laws and their enforcement help protect consumers by ensuring businesses compete fairly, which often results in lower prices, higher quality goods, and more innovative products. Use DOJ's Antitrust Complaint Form to report anticompetitive conduct — like price fixing, collusion, or monopolization concerns — that potentially violate the antitrust laws.

Price Gouging: California law prohibits price gouging on essential supplies like food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials, and gasoline during a state of emergency. Learn more about Price Gouging from our consumer protection team

We want to hear from you: to learn more, or report wrongdoing, please contact us.