The visual art exhibit RESISTANCE is partnering with the Anti-Eviction Mapping Project, the San Francisco Tenants Union and Eviction Free San Francisco to describe their methods in fighting evictions including using oral history and maps of the current Bay Area eviction crisis. Plug in on Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, SOMArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan St.
Boycott and Picket Le Meridien SF and SF Hyatt at the Wharf
Our allies Unite Here Local 2 who have been supporting our work against AirBnB are asking for support in boycotting Le Meridien SF and SF Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf because these Chesapeake-owned hotels have failed to negotiate a union contract. Pledge your support as we have. Do not let your friends and colleagues eat, meet or sleep at Le Meridien or Hyatt Fisherman Wharf hotels. Join the picket lines:
UNITE HERE Local 2, 209 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102 | www.unitehere2.org |
Teachers and Children Get Some Eviction Protection
A shortage of teachers in San Francisco due to rising housing costs led to legislation approved unanimously by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and signed by the Mayor that will stop certain no-fault evictions during the school year for teachers and children. The legislation was advocated for by Dean Preston and the San Francisco Tenants Union. The legislation is effective May 23, 2016. The law can be found here.
Airbnb Negotiation with Labor Union Fails
Due to pressure from union members (including Service Employees International Union/SEIU Local 1021 and Unite Here) and tenant activists including the San Francisco Tenants Union, the negotiations between Airbnb and SEIU fail. Labor and tenant activists oppose Airbnb since it illegally removes affordable housing from the market.
Homeless Best Helped Through Prevention
The best way to address the homeless problem is through preventing homelessness in the first place. The dysfunctional life on the streets including killing non-threatening homeless by the police and homeless removal action supported by Mayor Ed Lee and California State Senate Candidate Scott Wiener, make it very difficult for the homeless to be stable again even if offered housing. Evictions often lead to homelessness.
Airbnb Hosts Don’t Follow Laws
The vast majority of Airbnb hosts have yet to register their properties and more than a quarter of San Francisco homes listed as vacation getaways on Airbnb violate the 90-day annual limit, according to a report released by the San Francisco Budget and Legislative Analyst’s Office.
Supes Approve Resolution for Exemption to State Density Bonus Laws
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is asking for an exemption from Assembly Bill 2501 and 2522. The exemption would allow San Francisco to have more oversight over housing developments. There was a final amendment (in red) to get Supervisor Tang’s vote making the resolution unanimous. A group lead by Peter Cohen Co-Director and members of the Council of Community Housing Organizations along with Commissioner Wu went to Sacramento intent on stopping state pre-emption on this issue.
All praise for Supervisor Peskin and his able staffer Sunny for pulling this improbable task off.
Evictions Cause Job Loss
“I thought job loss would be a big cause of eviction and it is, but eviction is also a big cause of job loss.” (Matthew Desmond, author of the new book Evicted: Poverty & Profit In The American City)
Parking Permit Program
San Francisco’s Residential Parking Permit Program Wants to Hear from You
11 Community Workshops Scheduled For May and June 2016
The SFMTA is seeking public engagement and input to update and improve San Francisco’s Residential Parking Permit program. The program has been largely unchanged for 40 years, even as San Francisco has changed considerably. The SFMTA is seeking to update the program, align it with the city’s transportation goals and policies, and improve customer service for permit holders.
Eleven community workshops in each of the eleven supervisorial districts are scheduled for May and June 2016, to report final results from a recent citywide survey, research findings, discuss preliminary policy reform options and solicit public recommendations for program improvement. The public is invited to attend. Please come and attend one or all to share your ideas and/or provide input.
Community Workshops Schedule
| District | Supervisor Name | Date | Time | Venue | Address |
| District 5 | London Breed | 5/3/2016 | 6 to 8 PM | San Francisco Day School | 350 Masonic Avenue |
| District 2 | Mark Farrell | 5/4/2016 | 6 to 8 PM | Calvary Presbyterian Church | 2515 Fillmore Street |
| District 1 | Eric Mar | 5/9/2016 | 6 to 8 PM | Richmond Rec Center | 251 18th Avenue |
| District 4 | Katy Tang | 5/10/2016 | 6 to 8 PM | Grace Lutheran | 3201 Ulloa Street |
| District 3 | Aaron Peskin | 5/18/2016 | 6:to 8 PM | CCSF Chinatown/North Beach | 628 Washington Street |
| District 9 | David Campos | 5/19/2016 | 6 to 8 PM | CCSF Mission Campus, Room 109 | 1125 Valencia Street |
| District 7 | Norman Yee | 5/23/2016 | 6 to 8 PM | St. Stephen Catholic Parish | 401 Eucalyptus Drive |
| District 11 | John Avalos | 5/25/2016 | 6 to 8 PM | CCSF Ocean Avenue Campus | 50 Phelan Avenue |
| District 6 | Jane Kim | 6/1/2016 | 6 to 8 PM | St. Anthony’s | 150 Golden Gate Avenue |
| District 10 | Malia Cohen | 6/2/2016 | 6 to 8 PM | CCSF South East Campus | 1800 Oakdale Avenue |
| District 8 | Scott Weiner | 6/28/2016 | 6 to 8 PM | French American International School | 150 Oak Street |
About San Francisco’s Residential Permit Parking Program
The SFMTA is undertaking a comprehensive, data-driven evaluation of the Residential Permit Parking program. The evaluation includes data on existing trends and a citywide survey on residential parking. The completed program evaluation, including recommendations for program reform, will be presented to the SFMTA Board of Directors in fall 2016.
For more information about the Residential Parking Permit Evaluation & Reform Project visit:
https://www.sfmta.com/projects-planning/projects/residential-parking-permit-evaluation-reform-project or email InfoRPP@sfmta.com
Beware of Buyouts
Tenants are often intimidated into taking a buyout because the tenant does not understand the tenant’s rights to stay. Even if you want to move, beware of any buyout service that claims to be able to calculate your buyout by their formula. No two tenant scenarios are the same.