The fate of a collective space is yet to be determined after a recent change in ownership of the “17 Reasons” building at Mission and 17th streets.
“This eviction is detrimental to the larger communities that these groups sustain,” said Sarah Sherburn-Zimmer of the tenant advocacy group Eviction Free Summer.
The building houses a diverse group of organizations and businesses including In The Works, a public space and gallery; Thrift Town, Fabric Outlet, and the Homeless Children’s Network.
Ted Gullickson, of San Francisco Tenants Union, claims an agreement was made with the old landlord.
“Basically, no matter how illegal the space was, if the rent was paid, tenants were allowed to live there,” he said. “The new landlord could have extended the agreement, but chose not to.”
Chema Hernández Gil, a member of ‘Rincón’, describes how new owner Rick Holman has been handling the eviction of the space.
“After posting a three-day eviction notice, he entered the property illegally by not giving us 24 hours notice, yelling names of tenants off like roll call,” said Hernández. “In the months following, he’s turned off the service elevator randomly for weeks at a time, installed cameras throughout the building, and changed the locks.”
Since April, instead of providing new keys, Holman hired uniformed security guards to check the tenants IDs to let them enter their home. The security is in place from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m., and tenants choose to stay inside or wait until after the guards leave to avoid confrontation.
“Holman’s method of eviction is not only illegal, but its immoral. I mean, we’re talking about having to present a picture ID just to get into your home? This intimidation is uncalled for,” said Sherburn-Zimmer.
Sherburn-Zimmer represents In The Works/Rincón, the live work space that has hosted meetings for the Chiapas Support Committee, the Black Panthers, and provided a kitchen to Food Not Bombs—a homeless outreach group.
Attorney Ben Rosenfeld represents In The Works, and says of the system allowing these evictions to easily happen: “It is a machine, greased in favor of landlords, and the housing court plays its role accordingly.”
A civil rights law suit against Holman for his illegal harassment of the tenants still under a legal rental agreement has been filed, as well as a motion to recuse housing court Judge Ronald Quidachay, who Rosenfeld says “during hearings, he was very disrespectful to me, and has since denied this under oath.”
“Rincón was the only affordable space in the Mission; this lack of affordable space prevents face-to-face discussion of important issues,” said Mary Ann Tenutor-Sanchez of Chiapas Support Committee (CSC).
Katie, a tenant for over a year, describes an encounter with the security guards: “[the guards] weren’t letting me in so I called Kevin (another tenant) to open the side door. I got chased up the stairs, and she lunged and grabbed the back pocket of my jeans, making me fall back down half a flight of stairs.”
“I don’t need an adrenaline rush every time I come back from getting groceries,” she added.
Rosenfeld wants this eviction to serve as a warning to tenants who are currently dealing with evictions, or in danger of being evicted: “whatever you do, don’t sign anything the landlord gives you until getting advice from a tenant’s advocacy group.”
The tale of the “17 reasons” building is one of many in a wave of evictions hitting the Mission district. As we go to press, the tenants have five days left to vacate the building.
For more information on tenant rights contact Causa Justa or San Francisco Tenants Unit.