Friend --

As a disabled mother of three and as a domestic violence survivor, keeping a roof over my head has always been a priority. But today we are at real risk of becoming homeless.

Our landlord tried using a 90-day eviction notice under the Ellis Act - and even attempted to raise our rent by $1,200 to push us out. They are now trying to use other loopholes in our tenant protections to evict us.

But there is hope. A major bill that would close an eviction loophole in the Ellis Act has now passed through two major hurdles, the Assembly Housing and Appropriations committees - and next week it will be voted on by the ENTIRE Assembly floor. Take 30 seconds to urge key legislators to vote yes on AB 854 next week to protect families like mine from unfair, no-fault, Ellis Act evictions!

The Ellis Act is responsible for tens of thousands of evictions over the past 35 year, exacerbating our state’s housing crisis. It was originally passed to protect small “mom and pop” landlords who could no longer tend to their rental property. A series of court decisions vastly expanded the Act’s reach. This led to speculators buying buildings and then “going out of the rental housing business” soon after as a means to remove rent-controlled tenants from their homes. Since 2001, Los Angeles alone has lost 27,478 rent-controlled units due to the Ellis Act, while San Francisco has lost 5,478 since 1994.

Take 30 seconds to email key State Assembly Members to vote yes on AB 854 NOW!

AB 854 would impose a five-year holding period before the Ellis Act can be used, significantly deterring speculator abuse of the Ellis Act. The housing crisis in California is out of control - and this is one significant step we can take to keep families in their homes rather than pushed out onto the streets.

ACT NOT: it won’t take but a minute to urge our Assembly Members to vote yes on AB 854!

In Solidarity,

Patty Medina

San Diego Member

ACCE Action
http://www.acceaction.org/