Newsom Administration Seeks to End Funding for Ellis Act Eviction DefenseRandy Shawbyline‚ Feb. 03‚ 2009Ellis Act evictions are a nightmare in San Francisco, as speculators seek profits by ousting low-income, elderly and disabled tenants from their homes. Lola McKay, Grace Wells, and Susan Suval are among the many high-profile victims of Ellis evictions, and all received free legal representation from attorneys at the Tenderloin Housing Clinic. But if the Newsom Administration gets its way, low-income tenants facing Ellis evictions will no longer have attorneys to fight for their rights. Newsom’s Human Services Administration (HSA) is ending the Clinic’s funding for Ellis Act defense, offering a stimulus package for the real estate speculators negatively impacted by the industry downturn. The termination of the Clinic’s $125,000 in annual funding -- which helps fund three attorneys for far less than the salary of a single first year associate in a downtown firm -- comes as the Newsom Administration is promoting a sharp increase in condo conversions. More condo conversions would boost incentives for Ellis evictions, increasing tenants need for legal services the city would no longer fund. |