Beset by a wave of so-called "no fault" evictions, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and state legislators are taking aim at the Ellis Act, and the speculators who utilize the California law to force tenants out of their rent-controlled homes.
"On Thursday, hundreds packed an afternoon Board of Supervisors hearing as longtime residents told of being pressed to move out of rent-controlled units by speculators who had bought their buildings — in many cases with the intent to flip them for sale to higher-income buyers," reports Lee Romney.
What makes such evictions possible? The Ellis Act, a state law enacted by the Legislature in 1986, that "allows for 'no fault' evictions in instances in which owners take their rental properties off the market."
"Most previous efforts to repeal or amend the Ellis Act have failed in Sacramento, and mayoral spokeswoman Christine Falvey said it would be 'an uphill battle.' But [Mayor Ed Lee] has teamed with state Sen. Mark Leno and Assemblyman Phil Ting, both San Francisco Democrats, along with two city supervisors to press for amendments that would allow municipalities experiencing housing crises more flexibility to regulate such evictions."
FULL STORY: San Francisco seeks changes to state law on 'no-fault' evictions
San Francisco Ellis Act Restrictions Struck Down
An attempt to protect San Francisco tenants from some no-fault evictions was overturned in court.
Proposed Bill Would Strengthen California’s Renter Protections
The bill would improve on the 2019 Tenant Protection Act by further limiting rent increases and adding more eviction protections for California renters.
San Francisco Just Ended Single-Family Zoning
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to Tuesday to eliminate single-family zoning, but pro-development advocates say additional changes are needed to unleash a wave of construction.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
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Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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