Supes Consider Tenant Measures for NovemberPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Jun. 16‚ 2008With the crushing statewide defeat of Proposition 98 – and a 75-25 margin in San Francisco – tenant advocates hope to pass a local measure for the November ballot. Prop 98’s defeat doesn’t preclude the fact that San Francisco rents have exploded – and it’s still tough for tenants to find a new place to live. This month, the Board of Supervisors will consider three measures to place to the voters, addressing three separate issues affecting San Francisco’s rental market: (a) an anti-landlord harassment measure to curb attempts to bully out tenants, (b) amending eviction protections to include families with children, and (c) bringing owner-occupied duplexes under the City’s condominium conversion law. The third measure would probably have the largest impact at slowing gentrification, as the City’s own data demonstrate how this loophole has gutted our basic condo conversion ordinance. As the presidential election will bring a healthy San Francisco turnout, such measures could pass. |