Displacement is a dark reality

by Sam Drew/PNN

“Our beef is with the city,” explained Nick Pagoulatos of the Mission Anti-Displacement Coalition (MAC). As he spoke, a large gathering and I watched behind chain linked fences as SFPD arrested 11 peaceful protestors. They had erected 4 tents in an empty parking lot to draw attention to the community’s need for affordable housing. Pagoulatus continued, “It (The City) should get behind the community.”

At the heart of the issue is the proposed project for 3400 Cesar Chavez (formerly Kelly Moore Paint Store) near the hyper busy intersection of Mission and Cesar Chavez. Seven Hills Properties Development has offered to build 60 condos(with only 9 being market rate) and a 24 hours Walgreens on the location. Of the 60 units being built only 9 will be market rate. The remaining 51 units will be priced between $500,000 and 700,000.

The average Mission household makes $48,733. Displacement is a dark reality in the Mission district. The displacement horror currently being experienced by co-founder of POOR Magazine and poverty scholar Lisa Gray Garcia, aka Tiny is an eye opening example. At the protest she explained to me, “As a single mama living in the Mission I am being attacked by displacement by a slumlord who wants to flip housing into a 400% increase. The only way to do it is to get me out by illegal means. We are systematically being irradiated.” As she finished her statement she turned around and began loudly chanting support to those fighting for a better community and affordable housing.

The energetic crowd yelled in approval as demonstrators were booked and photographed by police. Pagoulatos exclaimed, “We have enough high end housing but not enough affordable housing. We don’t need more big box retail.”

Unlike many problems in San Francisco, the issue of affordable housing is one with viable solutions. As Pagoulatos confidently stated, “We’re not just saying no we’re saying yes to something better.” MAC has already submitted an alternative project that does not encourage displacement and gentrification. This proposal seeks to develop between 60 and 70 units of affordable housing and would include a new home for the San Francisco Day Labor Program.

The current Day Labor Program is located in a drab white office that is much too small for the number of community members accessing its services. On each corner several men line up daily to exchange a day’s hard labor for meager wages. These men are easy targets for abuse and exploitation.

I was a witness to this reality when I visited the Day Labor\ Worker Employment and Resource Center that same day. As I asked people for directions I heard loud screams coming from across the street. People were pointing and police sirens were blasting while tires screeched in agony. When I arrived at the site of the commotion I saw a young man on the ground being restrained by police and a large group of people standing around in a state of agitation. Some were filming with phone cameras while others engaged the officers in hotly debated conversation.

According to Jill Shenker of the Day Labor Program when she came outside, “I saw a day laborer on the ground with his head bloody saying they’re torturing me!” Shenker added that, “The cops said they were arresting him for weed. There was no need to hurt him.” The San Francisco Day Labor Program provides these vulnerable laborers with much needed resources.

As we banged on the chain link fence, we witnessed several protestors being shown the inside of the paddy wagon I check out the signs that are being vigorously waved up and down while those being arrested bowed their heads and entered the van. “We Need Family Affordable Housing!” “No Walgreens Monopoly!” “No Luxury Condos!” “Low Income Housing!” Oscar Grande of PODER tells me of a grander vision for the Mission. He states, “We’re getting the neighborhood involved. We have a vision for the next 20 years. We are out here winning hearts and minds. We want everyday people to take control. This sends a message to the city.”

1,560 family members including 760 children (40%-0-5 years old) are in single room occupancy hotels. If ever there was a win-win situation, the proposed 3400 Cesar Chavez site is it. It offers 60 to 70 units of affordable housing and allows for a reduction in traffic congestion by avoiding big box gridlock. It combats the gentrification and displacement running rampant in the Mission district. It improves community services for individuals who are often exploited because they are the most vulnerable. “Otro Proyecto Es Posible! Queremos viviendas accesibles y negocios pequenos.”

Please help send a message to the Planning Department and the Mayor. These city agencies and elected officials are supposed to serve the community well being. Don’t let them pass up a win-win-win-win combination.For more information go on line to www.Myspace.com/missionantidisplacement