Responses to "a letter to a heartless landlord"
Friday Oct 10 1997
<email address withheld by request>
I'm glad you got on the Tenants Union Database. Now at least you have the
option of sueing as and when the landlord's family moves out. The tenants
union have found that many of them do move out. It does take a long time
to sue but it is worthwhile if only because it is somewhat lucrative and
sends the message out to other landlords that someone is watching and will
get "them". It may make them have second thoughts but I doubt it. As you
know this is entirely an economic sitution and they can get upwards of
$2,000 for your flat and I'm not even sure what neighborhood it is in
- such is the shortage in SF. You see what people will pay.
I know it is very very difficult to get hold of Richard at the Eviction Defense
Network but he is someone who I know has held off his landlord from OMI.
He's smart, eleoquent and has some fantastic ideas about what to do
in the Tenants Movement. I think he is a good person to know - only he's a
little hard to get hold there.
I think it would be a really good idea if you went to the next Housing
Committee Meeting - I think it will be on Tuesday afternoon at 401 Van Ness
on the 4th floor I believe. You will have a chance at that meeting to bring up
this issue once again and ask for an OMI amendment. Or your could go to the
Board of Supervisor's meeting on Monday afternoon and speak in that time.
I am telling you this because I have seen tenants succeed when (a) they were
organized and (b) they kicked up a huge fuss.
I know that Laura Peterson at the Independent is also writing about this issue
and you might want to give her a call.
There are some really good attorney's who specialise in tenants issues
- they have integrity and I have seen themfight even the most intrepid landlord.
I do know that Lisa Davis is writing a feature for the SF Weekly and that
this will encompass all of the housing issues in the city. Lisa is a great writer
and I want to see her win awards for her coverage on housing. She's very
dedicated to tenants issues.
I know the Housing Rights Committee is looking for new Board Members.
Why don't you call Marie Ciepela (the Director)and let her know that
you're interested. Their phone is (415) 398-0527. They are a "little"
disorganized but they are a venue to get to the legislators and that is
after all where you want to go. Maybe you can be the one to get this
OMI ammendment through.
I am really interested to find out who exactly is on the list of the Mayor's
Task Force on Housing to lobby them fiercely about OMI and about housing
in general in the city. If you come up with any names please let me know.
I have been thinking about your plight a lot today - losing your home
of 10 years is a terrible irretrievable loss. I am so sorry.
Please let me know how you get on.
email kevin@whisperdesign.com
home www.whisperdesign.com