SF's Measure F Wins, Will Give Tax-Funded Legal Help to Tenants Facing Eviction

"A ballot measure to give tenants facing eviction lawsuits the right to taxpayer-funded legal representation won Tuesday.

With 99 percent of precincts counted, Proposition F, “Defend SF Against Evictions,” won with nearly 56 percent in favor, and 44 percent opposed.

Takeaway: Tenants’ rights groups that back the measure have been fighting to keep renters in their homes during the tech boom, which since 2010 has resulted in a steady increase in evictions. Roughly 1,600 tenants were evicted last year, about a 26 percent increase over 2010. The city spends about $2 million a year to provide legal help to some low-income people, but only about half of those receiving an eviction notice are represented by an attorney. The expanded legal services is estimated to cost the city $5.6 million a year if approved..."

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