Legislation Limiting TICs Passes

By Deanna Yick

Despite the Richmond's reputation as a middle-of-the-road district, District 1 Supervisor Jack McGoldrick stayed true to his politically leftward-leaning positions by initiating a progressive measure on the tenant and home ownership issue.

A group of about 50 outraged tenants and advocates in favor of legislation, co-sponsored by McGoldrick and Supervisor Chris Daly, stood on the steps of City Hall June 11 asking the Board of Supervisors to pass the legislation in support of stopping the displacement of seniors, minorities, disabled individuals and families. They were granted their request by the board, and the legislation was on Mayor Willie Brown's desk at presstime.

According to McGoldrick, the primary author of the legislation, the plan attempts to find a compromise between the conflicting interests of potential homeowners and victimized tenants, who have been evicted from many parts of City. The plan allows homeowners to band together and jointly purchase a multi-unit building without forcing current tenants to leave. The multi-unit buildings differ from condominiums, however, because owning partners would share equal control over all the units, rather than separately owning individual condos.

Restrictions of 200 tenancy-in-common (TIC) units and lifetime leases for current tenants would also be implemented by the new law. The City also limits the number of units that can be converted to condos to 200.

McGoldrick proclaimed that his plan would benefit both sides of the housing argument.

"The legislation will get protections in place and create affordability so tenants can become owners. But we must make sure to stop the cannibalization of the housing stock and work for tenants' serenity and security so they are not thrown in the gutter," he said.

The legislation has been met with some opposition, however. San Francisco voters voiced their support for TICs by voting against Proposition N last November. The proposition proposed to limit the number of TICs, but voters rejected the measure 53 percent to 47 percent.

Those who consider the new legislation a dressed-up version of Prop. N think it blatantly ignores the will of the public the board is supposed to represent. Many fear the legislation will also inhibit people from gaining a stake in the community through home ownership and inhibit a balance between renters and owners in the City, which is currently about 66 percent renters.

Yet those who attended the rally were largely in favor of new legislation. They proudly wore stickers saying, "Save our Homes!" and "Support Tenant Choice" in English, Spanish and Chinese, reflecting the diverse tenant groups brought together at City Hall.

Speakers also stressed that the power of the people and their strength in numbers would be what would lead them to success in getting the legislation passed at the Board of Supervisors meeting directly following the press conference. They were right.

Roger, a racial minority whose family was evicted from their home as a result of a TIC, encouraged those affected to work together and fight back against displacement from their homes and communities.

"We have united as a family," he said. "United we stand, united we fight and united we will win." His optimistic statement was met with cheers from the crowd.

Another activist who spoke was an elderly Chinese woman who reinforced the same message.

"Unity is power," her translator said. "We have the people power in fighting evictions, but now we ask for the support of supervisors."

The optimistic and energized crowd then entered City Hall and proceeded into the legislative chamber to attend the meeting of the Board of Supervisors. Technical amendments were made as the legislation's supporters waited in patient silence.

McGoldrick outlined the basic components of his plan for his colleagues as he had done during the press conference. He emphasized the partial solution to the housing crisis as a compromise on middle ground.

Supervisor Tony Hall, in opposition, then explained his view of the legislation as an alternate version of Proposition N, which the public voted against last November, and a measure ultimately against tenant protections and affordable housing in the long run.

Just prior to the vote, president of the Board of Supervisors, Tom Ammiano said, "Evictions are wrong. We want to increase people's ability to own homes and avoid evictions, and this can be resolved."

The final count of eight votes in favor and three votes against the new legislation was promptly met with overwhelming whoops of joy, profuse clapping and even a few standing ovations for the board. The passage with eight votes meant that a possible veto from Mayor Willie Brown could be overridden.

As tenants and supporters filed out of the gallery, pleased with their victory, they stood at the top of the stairs congratulating each other.