Sponsored link
Monday, February 24, 2025

Sponsored link

UncategorizedTenants explain why Campos bill is needed

Tenants explain why Campos bill is needed

48hillscampos2
Sup. David Campos introduced his Ellis Act relocation bill

 

By Tim Redmond

Sup. David Campos announced a bill today that would substantially increase relocation fees for tenants at a press event featuring three heart-rending (and all-too typical) stories of tenants whose lives and communities are being shattered by the Ellis Act.

The measure would mandate that landlords who want to file Ellis Act evictions pay their tenants the difference between the existing rent on that unit and market rent for a comparable unit in the same neighborhood, for two years. In some cases, where tenants have been living for decades in rent-controlled units, the fee could be substantial – and could help an evicted tenant remain in the city.

The law wouldn’t, by itself, solve the Ellis problem, but tenant activists say it would give longtime residents a fighting chance to avoid being forced out of town. “It’s a band-aide,” Theresa Flandrich, a nurse who is losing her home of 30 years in North Beach, said. “But when you’re bleeding, you need a band-aid.”

The measure has won strong support from tenants meeting in neighborhood conventions, and it’s something I’ve been writing about for months. (I got the original tip from Potrero Hill activist Tony Kelly, who told me to check out the way the federal government does relocation fees. Under federal law, tenants forced out by eminent domain are entitled to the difference between their current rent and market rent for as much as four years.)

“Frankly,” Campos said at a press conference in his office, “This is something we should have done a long time ago.” The idea, he explained, is to help tenants who have been evicted stay in their communities, “to mitigate the displacement.” (more after the jump)

48 Hills welcomes comments in the form of letters to the editor, which you can submit here. We also invite you to join the conversation on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Marke B.
Marke B.
Marke Bieschke is the publisher and arts and culture editor of 48 Hills. He co-owns the Stud bar in SoMa. Reach him at marke (at) 48hills.org, follow @supermarke on Twitter.

Sponsored link

Sponsored link
Sponsored link

Featured

A showdown on Lurie’s move to fire police commissioner

Plus: Should Muni property be developed for market-rate housing—and how will neighborhood upzoning impact tenants? That's The Agenda for Feb. 23-March 2

OPINION: The Mission is not the new Tenderloin

The problems have been here for years. Now they are bothering wealthier people.

Woo-hoo! A ‘Simpsons’-themed bar just popped up in downtown SF

Moe'z has 'Duft' beer, Squishee machines, a Flaming Moe, and fancy Springfield-ian cocktails.

More by this author

Ramblin’ renegade folk legend Faith Petric honored in new doc ‘Singing for Justice’

A force for social justice and musical creativity during her 98-year life, the SF hero's vital voice can be heard again.

You could win tickets to Noise Pop

We've got pairs of tickets to some of the huge indie fest's coolest shows—subscribe to our daily newsletter to see how to win.

Arts Forecast: Nothing but love for ya, baby

Yuja Wang, Love & Basketball, Polyglamorous, Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt, 'Skateboarding SF,' tons more to do this weekend

You might also likeRELATED