The daily Post

Evictions for minor breaches of the lease (including a legal support animal) have decreased due to legislation co-written and advocated for by the Tenants Union.

The San Francisco Planning Commission voted to remove projects that would demolish residential units from the Affordable Housing Bonus Program. Originally, many residential units including rent-controlled units were at risk of being demolished, but community pressure, including by the San Francisco Tenants Union, took the residential units out of the program.

AB-1641, to legalize the operation of private carriers in public bus stop, was scheduled to be heard by the Assembly Transportation Committee on March 14, but the hearing was cancelled at the request of the author, Assemblyman Travis Allen, R-Huntington Beach, after public pressure. The San Francisco Tenants Union has been opposing the use of public bus stops for private carriers.

Assemblyman Travis Allen had also cancelled AB 61, the bill to amend the California Vehicle Code to make operation of private carriers (the “Google” buses) in public bus stops legal, on January 11, 2016. About 25 organizations came out in opposition to that bill. You can see the list of opposing organizations here:

http://www.48hills.org/2016/01/25/problem-google-bus-program/

However, on the same day he introduced two more bills that would do the exact same thing that AB 61 would have done. Those bills are AB-1641 and ABX1-25. The only differences? AB 1641 and ABX1 25 are “urgency bills,” meaning they would go into effect immediately upon the governor signing either (or both) into law. However, because they are “urgency” bills, they require a two-thirds majority of both houses to pass.

Because of the opposition, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors was able to craft a deal with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Board of Directors that is getting us:

• a one year limit on the commuter shuttle program with a review after six months;
• a limit to the number of stops that the shuttles can operate in to the current number: 125;
• language about a study on the housing displacement impacts of the shuttles; and,
• an agreement for the SFMTA to explore alternatives to having the shuttles operate in public bus stops.

Eight of the 11 supervisors (in their capacities as SFCTA commissioners) voted to recommend that the San Francisco County Transportation Authority oppose AB-1641. That sends a very powerful message to Sacramento: don’t interfere with our public transportation infrastructure.

And more: the lawsuit against the pilot program continues, and plaintiffs will be back in court on March 24. To follow the case, the number is CPF-14-513627 at:

http://ijsaccess.sftc.org:8080/ReCaptcha/

It’ legal, but is it ethical? More information here.

KALW public radio interviews the San Francisco Tenants Union’s new Executive Director Deepa Varma.

Click here for an article that explains why market development isn’t the answer to the housing crisis.

The San Francisco Rent Board has finalized the Rent Board Rules and Regulations that allow households to add roommates despite restrictions on the rental agreement. The legislation has been allowed to remain as intended despite attempts by the landlord commissioners and initially the “neutral” commissioner (all appointed by the Mayor) to limit the legislation to new tenancies only, after protests by tenant advocates including the San Francisco Tenants Union.

The San Francisco Rent Board is still finalizing the Rules and Regulations (which interpret the law) for the legislation strengthening protections from evictions effective November 9, 2015. The Rules are expected to be finalized at the meeting on December 3, 2015. Meanwhile, the law is in effect for tenants with rent control.

The Rent Board Commissioners (appointed by the Mayor) attempted to change legislation effective November 9, 2015 from what was understood by tenant advocates and the Rent Board staff to be the intent of the law. The Commissioners attempted to change the provision for allowing additional roommates number to be effective only for new tenancies. The Tenants Union and other tenant supporters spoke at the hearing and the “neutral” Commissioner decided to side with the tenants to keep the roommate provision applicable to current tenancies.

San Francisco is not building enough affordable housing to replace rent-controlled units which is why Supervisor Candidate Aaron Peskin wants to expand rent control.