Protestors descend on Ellis Act eviction specialist

District 5 Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi leads demonstration at the office of realty firm with history of frequent Ellis Act eviction use.
Photo(s) by Luke Thomas

By Pat Murphy

July 29, 2006

A cross section of housing advocates this week descended on a realty firm with a history of Ellis Act evictions now poised to dislocate seniors again.

Renters at the seven-unit 1530 McAllister building owned by Frank Howard Allen Realtors company received Ellis Act eviction notice two weeks ago.

1530 McAllister Street

They include a 78-year-old, an 89-year-old, people of color, and LGBT tenants.

It is the fifth Ellis Act eviction initiated by the firm, protestors said.

Residential Builders Association president Joe O'Donoghue, who lives across from the McAllister building, first called for the rally.

Joe O'Donoghue is backed by clenched fist Supervisor Mirkarimi.

He was quickly joined by District 5 Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi as well as representatives of the Tenants Union, the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, and the Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco.

Tommi Avicolli Mecca, a tenant counselor with the Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco, sets protest to music.

The eviction process is in the initial notification stage which occurs before tenant legal defense may be initiated.

Realtor staff declined comment.

Two members of the Frank Howard Allen Realtor team at left refuse comment to the Sentinel.

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