Tenants At 1061 Market Protest Evictions From Artist Enclave

Tenants At 1061 Market Protest Evictions From Artist EnclavePhoto: David-Elijah Nahmod
David-Elijah Nahmod
Published on March 27, 2015

An artist enclave along Market Street in the Tenderloin is facing eviction—right up the street from where another group of tenants was granted a reprieve from a looming eviction by the city Board of Supervisors, as Hoodline recently reported.

Yesterday, tenants at 1061 Market held a noon rally in front of their building to protest eviction attempts by landlord Jennifer Chen. Chen did not respond to Hoodline's inquiry requesting a comment.

According to the tenants, some of whom have lived in the building for several years, and some much longer than that, Chen wants them out so units can be rented to tech workers who can afford the current, astronomical market rate rents.

Last week, according to the residents' press release, the tenants received a 30 day eviction notice from Chen, who is operating as though the residents are not protected by rent control. Rent control covers buildings that were constructed prior to 1979: 1061 was built decades earlier than that. As the tenants are protected by rent control guidelines, they can only be evicted via just cause, such as non-payment or rent or destruction or property. Though 1061 Market is not zoned as a residential building, rent control guidelines typically still apply. 48 Hills has a breakdown of how Chen treated the property as residential units. 

As with the tenants at 1049 Market, the 23 residents at 1061 Market moved in with the landlord's blessing when the building was half empty. Now, residents say the tech boom has made the neighborhood more desirable, so Chen wants the lower-income tenants out.

"Who moves people into a half-vacant building in a largely vacant neighborhood, and kicks them out nearly three years later with no reason stated?" asked Derek Rogers, who said he was an artist, writer and barista.

Bob Mule, another artist, said that finding affordable housing in the center of town made it possible for him to live in the city and pursue his dreams.

Zaria Gunn, who's already been evicted from 1061, came to the rally to show support for her former neighbors.

"I am what happens when people lose their homes," she said. "How can we displace our artists? We are the innovators that shape the future—we deserve a place at the table."

Artist Joe Bender said that he's had enough of "boom and bust bubbles". Like many others in the building, he said he planned to stay and fight.

The residents have petitioned the San Francisco Rent Board for a hearing and are raising funds for what could be an arduous legal battle. Renters' advocacy group The Housing Rights Committee is standing with the tenants.

"We are here to send a message to the city and to those who profit off of housing: stop the evictions or you will never have the comfort of our silence again," said HRC's Tommi Avicolli Mecca, as the protesters applauded.

The residents of 1061 have set up a GoFundMe campaign to cover their legal fees, here.