Oakland housing nonprofit (EBALDC) retaliates against tenant activist

For Immediate Release:

Contact: 510/763-1085
Lynda Carson

Oakland housing nonprofit (EBALDC) retaliates against tenant activist

Oakland -- One of Oakland's largest nonprofit housing organizations retaliates against tenant activist with a 64% rent increase, for blowing the whistle on scheme to displace hundreds of households from their housing with $10 million in funds to be used for major renovation projects citywide.

On March 29, 2009, at around 11:pm, East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC), served a 60 Day Notice to tenant activist Lynda Carson, demanding a 64% rent increase by June 1, 2009, after Carson recently wrote a number of articles and spoke at several Oakland City Council meetings in opposition to Oakland's $10 million dollar renovation plans that will force up the rents on Oakland's poor and will displace around 600 households from their housing in coming months.

This is a clear act of retaliation against someone for exercising their first amendment right to free speech by a large nonprofit housing organization (Over $64 million in assets), against a low-income tenant activist for being in opposition to a $10 million scheme that will displace hundreds of households in the coming months.

In an April 9, e-mail to Mary Hennessy, Director of Property Management for EBALDC, Lynda Carson said, "People must be free from retaliation when they file complaints or become public speakers, especially when they feel that something is so important they have to speak up, even if they fear retaliation from others, such as yourself."

During March, 2009, Oakland's Rent Stabilization Program announced that allowable rent increases in Oakland were set at 0.7%, starting July 1, 2009, through July 1, 2010.

Meanwhile, EBALDC a so-called Oakland nonprofit housing organization is demanding a 64% rent increase from Lynda Carson for blowing the whistle on the scheme to displace hundreds of households from their housing with $10 million in funds to be used for major renovation projects citywide!

See April 9, 2009, e-mail below to Mary K. Hennessy, Director of Property Management for EBALDC for more details...

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ATTN:EBALDC: Mary Hennessy; No Rent Increase Retaliation! Resign Now!

Thursday, April 9, 2009 6:40 AM


From: This sender is DomainKeys verified
"Lynda Carson"
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To: mhennessy [at] ebaldc.com, mkhennessy [at] gmail.com

Cc: admin [at] bfwc.org, dianne [at] nonprofithousing.org, evelyn [at] nonprofithousing.org, joanna [at] nonprofithousing.org, ann [at] nonprofithousing.org, jtaylor [at] oakha.org, ljunglee [at] ebaldc.com, llee [at] ebaldc.com, dpiyathaisere [at] ebaldc.com, ddologite [at] ebaldc.com, dtaylor [at] ebaldc.com, cfong [at] ebaldc.com, OfficeOfTheMayor [at] oaklandnet.com, KLiao [at] oaklandnet.com, pkernighan [at] oaklandnet.com, jgerard [at] oaklandnet.com, DGallagher [at] oaklandnet.com, CGarcia [at] oaklandnet.com, JSmith [at] oaklandnet.com, gclarke [at] oaklandnet.com, aborjon [at] oaklandnet.com, nnadel [at] oaklandnet.com, jrusso [at] oaklandnet.com, dbrooks [at] oaklandnet.com, Jquan [at] oaklandnet.com, changochang [at] oaklandnet.com, idelafuente [at] oaklandnet.com, lreid [at] oaklandnet.com, jbrunner [at] oaklandnet.com, jhorner [at] oaklandnet.com, RNemcik-Cruz [at] oaklandnet.com, rfillgen [at] oaklandcityattorney.com, jrusso [at] oaklandcityattorney.com, info [at] tenantstogether.org, rkaplan [at] oakland.net, srogan [at] oakland.net, peggy [at] nonprofithousing.org, megan [at] nonprofithousing.org, leah [at] nonprofithousing.org, shannon [at] nonprofithousing.org, mstephenson [at] oakha.org, mmaitre [at] bayareanewsgroup.com, Kbender [at] bayareanewsgroup.com, Kmurphy [at] bayareanewsgroup.com, editorial [at] themonthly.com, clazzeretti [at] bayareanewsgroup.com, eastbay [at] sfchronicle.com, stephen.buel [at] eastbayexpress.com, news [at] kpfa.org, editor [at] sfbayview.com... more


To: Mary K. Hennessy
Director of Property Management
East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC)

From: Lynda Carson
829 E. 19th St. #2
Oakland, CA. 94606
Effie's House
510/763-1085
TenAntsRule [at] yahoo.com

Re: Retaliation is Unlawful. Resign Now!

Dear Ms. Hennessy

On March 29, 2009, I was served a 60 Day Notice from your department (Property Management) demanding a 64% rent increase for the rental unit I reside in. I was advised by Clifford Gatewood that you are directly responsible for the rent increase, demanding a $340.00 per month rent increase from me.

At this point, I must warn you that RETALIATION is unlawful, and that you have violated state law by going after me with an obscene rent increase at this time.

With-in the past year, I filed complaints with the office of Oakland's Code Compliance against EBALDC in regards to Effie's House, and under California state law, rent increases or evictions are considered retaliation if served with-in one year of when complaints are filed.

I accuse you of retaliating against me, for going after me with a 64% rent increase.

I accuse you of violating California state law, regarding retaliation.

I accuse you of abusing your power by going after me with unclean hands, just because you have power over me.

In addition, I know it upset you recently when I publicly spoke out against EBALDC in opposition to the $10 million dollar NOFA loans from the City of Oakland for renovation projects that will displace over 600 low-income renters from their housing.

There you were at the March 17, Oakland City Council meeting, as a speaker asking for a loan on behalf of EBALDC, and there I was as a speaker telling the council that they should not give a loan to EBALDC that very same evening.

Low and behold, only 12 days after I was at that public meeting on March 17, as an invited speaker at that City Council meeting directly speaking out against what it was that you wanted, and you then get angry and have the nerve to order your staff to jack up my rent by an extra $340.00 per month! And I'm on disability.

Have you lost your mind? You are not allowed to abuse your power like that!

People must be free from retaliation when they file complaints or become public speakers, especially when they feel that something is so important they have to speak up, even if they fear retaliation from others, such as yourself.

Ms. Hennessy, you are not fit to be in a position of power above others, and I must ask that you resign from any and all positions that have to do with housing for the poor, elderly and disabled.

I'm in no position to raise your rent because you publicly spoke out in opposition to what I wanted recently. But unfortunately for me, that cannot be said about yourself...

I also have a copy of the e-mail that was sent to you and others in "YOUR HOUSING GROUP" regarding YOUR rebuttal to my efforts to oppose the million dollar renovation schemes, that will displace hundreds of low-income households in coming months.

I've clearly been targeted, by you and your group, in more ways than one.

I fully, understand your anger at me, but have to remind you that retaliation is unlawful, and that you have abused your power over me once to often.

Ms. Hennessy, I insist that you must immediately retract your demands for a 64% rent increase from me, apologise for retaliating against me, resign from your position as director of property management with EBALDC, and resign from the board of directors at Non Profit Housing (NHP).

Your treatment of me is not acceptable. It is an abuse of power on your part, and clearly shows that you lack the integrity to be in a position of power over the poor, elderly, and disabled, when it comes to their housing.

I ask that you send me a letter of resignation from EBALDC immediately, along with a retraction of the 64% rent increase that you are demanding from me in retaliation, including your letter of apology.

I look forward to to your immediate resignation.

Sincerely,

Lynda Carson

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Housing renovation funds may displace hundreds of families

by Lynda Carson - March 9, 2009

Click below for full news story, and photos...

http://www.sfbayview.com/2009/housing-renovation-funds-may-displace-hundreds-of-families/

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(This is the e-mail sent out by a nonprofit housing organization to Mary K. Hennessy & others in her group because they were angry at me for speaking out)

FW: Oakland's affordable housing stock gets $10 million upgrade
Thursday, March 19, 2009 10:53 AM
From:
"Lisa Motoyama"
To:
"Daniel Sawislak" , Slhindman [at] aol.com
Dan and Sally,

Here's a good rebuttal to Lynda Carson. Thanks. Lisa


Lisa Motoyama


RCD

510.841.4410x21

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From: Amie Fishman [mailto:amie [at] ebho.org]
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 10:39 AM
To: Amie Fishman; Carlos Castellanos; Cathy Craig; Charise Fong; Christia Mulvey; Daniel Sawislak; Diana Downton; Elissa Dennis; Ener Chiu; Eve Stewart; James Vann; James Wong; Janet Howley; Jeffrey Levin; Joel Tena; Karoleen Feng; Kathryn Kasch; Linda Mackey; Lisa Motoyama; Lynette Lee; M Chao; Marge Gladman; Mary Lucero-Dorst; Maryann Sargent; Megan Horl; Neil Bruce Saxby; Phil Lawson; Sean Heron; Sean Rogan; Susan Friedland; T Clarke; Patricia Osage; Millicent Anglin; Robert Stevenson; Jennifer Chiang; Katherine Saviskas; Shawn Rowland; Sam Tepperman-Gelfant; Mary Hennessy (E-mail); Joel Rubenzahl
Subject: Oakland's affordable housing stock gets $10 million upgrade


Hey folks,

We got a better article this time. Thanks to Shawn and EBALDC for door knocking with residents, and to Karoleen and Janice for identifying the resident quickly to call Cecily at the Tribune in time for the story.

Thanks all,

Amie


Oakland's affordable housing stock gets $10 million upgrade


http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_11944944?source=rss

By Cecily Burt
Oakland Tribune

Posted: 03/18/2009 06:54:07 PM PDT

Eight low-income apartment buildings, including four abandoned by a nonprofit organization, will receive $10 million worth of much-needed upgrades to make the units more habitable.

The Oakland City Council unanimously approved the loans Tuesday night and reassured residents who had worried that they might be displaced during renovations.

Any relocation would be temporary, and the relocation costs would be borne by the developer, said Marge Gladman, city housing manager, in response to a question by Councilmember Nancy Nadel (Downtown-West Oakland), who said some of her constituents had raised the concern.

Gladman said tenants will be moved back when the work is done.

The money will come from a combination of federal funds and the city's tax increment funding.

Deborah Butler, a resident of Effie's House on East 19th Street, said the work couldn't start too soon for her.

She was told she wouldn't have to move while the work is being done.

"The building needs some serious, major work," she said, ticking off a list that included upgrades to paint, appliances, outlets and pipes, among other things. "My (front) door has shifted so I can see the outside light when it's closed. I had to move my bed away from the windows because the air (and water) came in."

East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation will receive $1.26 million to renovate Effie's House, as well as $1.1 million for the Hugh Taylor House on Seminary Avenue and $1.9 million for Slim Jenkins Court on Willow Street.

Resources for Community Development will receive $840,000 for the Drachma Housing Project complexes in West Oakland, $1.65 million for the Eldridge Gonaway Commons Project on Third Avenue, and $1.2 million for the Marin Way Court Apartments on International Boulevard.

Affordable Housing Associates will receive $1.1 million for the Oaks Hotel project on 15th Street, and the Unity Council will receive $540,000 for the Posada De Colores Apartments on Fruitvale Avenue.

"These buildings have been around 20, 30 years and need work," said Amie Fishman, director of East Bay Housing Organizations. "These are really stable properties and communities."

The money used on buildings owned by Oakland Community Housing Inc. will help the city transfer ownership of those properties to other stable nonprofit housing developers, Fishman said.

"The city is putting aside resources, and the nonprofits are stepping up and saying they will take those on," she said.


--
Amie Fishman
Executive Director
East Bay Housing Organizations
538 9th Street, Suite 200 | Oakland, CA 94607
P: (510) 663-3830 E: Amie [at] EBHO.org
http://www.EBHO.org