On Saturday, January 19, the San Francisco Tenants Union will be holding a "Save Rent Control Convention" from 1:00pm to 4:00pm to raise awareness and organize against an anti-rent control ballot measure that recently qualified for the June 2008 elections.

The "California Property Owners and Farmland Protection Act" purports to be about reforming eminent domain laws. Opponents, who are calling the measure the "Hidden Agendas Scheme," point out that it would also abolish rent control in California, erode environmental protections, negatively affect local land-use planning, and stop future water projects. The "Hidden Agendas Scheme" is being broadly opposed by tenants, labor, environmentalists, and local and state government officials.

If passed, the anti-rent control measure would adversely affect more than 180,000 San Francisco households currently protected by rent control. With only 25% of San Francisco tenants able to afford market rents, passage of the measure would push many residents out of the city and would fundamentally change the character of many of San Francisco's neighborhoods.

The "Save Rent Control Convention" will be held at El Centro del Pueblo (474 Valencia St. at 16th St.) from 1 pm to 4 pm and will include a teach-in and organizing/brainstorming session.

Save Rent Control Convention | Flyer | Campaign Launched to Save Rent Control | In San Francisco, Tenants Have Rights! | San Francisco Tenants Union Website | Statewide Campaign Website | Oppose the Landlord Scheme Blog | Alternate Eminent Domain-Reform Measure