Dozens protest eviction of 3 disabled seniors from rent-controlled apartment in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — People rallied in San Francisco on Sunday in support of three elderly residents who are facing eviction from their rent-controlled apartments. The community protest was an opportunity to stand up for seniors on fixed incomes and tenants’ rights across the city.

Dozens of tenants’ rights advocates marched through Noe Valley in San Francisco at the front steps of a Victorian apartment house where three seniors are now facing eviction.

“If you’ve ever been displaced, you know the profound toll having your housing under threat takes on you,” said one advocate speaker.

“I’m so impressed they’re doing this for us,” said tenant Brian Harrington.

Harrington was surprised to see the protest rally out front. He said he and his two longtime roommates have health issues. One has lived there since 1977. All of them are being evicted by their landlord.

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“We’re in serious trouble, because I’m 69. I’m the youngest one. I just went through my 11th heart surgery and these guys are seven years older than me, my roommates. Where are we going to go?,” Harrington said.

Harrington says, he and his roommates have been quiet tenants and paid rent on time.

“She just wants to make triple the amount of money. It’s just that simple,” Harrington said.

Advocates from Tenant and Neighborhood Councils, which support renters, are trying to stop the evictions. The group says the situation is not unusual in a city where the cost of living can be exorbitant, especially for those on a fixed income.

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“They’re facing eviction like many seniors in our city, honestly, at an attempt to get them out of their rent-controlled apartments, so the rent can go back to market rate,” said Eleanor Allen-Henderson from Tenant and Neighborhood Councils or TANC.

Advocates say a court hearing on the eviction is scheduled for next week in San Francisco.

A person who tenants identified as the owner of their building had no comment. ABC7 News also reached out to the landlord’s attorneys but have not heard back.

Advocates say they’ll to continue protest the eviction of the seniors.

“Seniors deserve to stay in their homes. We believe in a city where people are housed and safe,” Allen-Henderson said.