Press Release: Tenants Speakout Against Realtors For Supporting Prop 98

Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact #510/763-1085


California Association of Realtors Are Attacking
Renters Through Their Support of Proposition 98

Tenants Are Speaking Out Against The Unfair Attack By
Realtors


Oakland (May 21) -- Imagine a realtor from your city
or community knocking on the door of your residence
and telling you that you will be evicted if you do not
accept a CFK ("cash for keys" to your residence). That
if you can't be bribed to flee from your residence,
your possessions may be tossed out onto the street.
You may be locked out and forced to move after the
illegal rekeying of the locks on your doors and the
shut off of your utilities or water may occur, despite
the fact that you have payed your rent on time and are
protected under state and local laws.

These types of scenarios with realtors are being
played out in every city across the state of
California and have recently gotten so bad in Oakland,
that City Attorney John Russo had to file suit against
realtor Craig Jarvis for illegally forcing tenants
from their residences through intimidation and
harassment. Oakland renters are protected by a Just
Cause eviction ordinance. With his suit, Russo
intended to send a clear message to all bad realtors
in California, that they must stop attacking renters
with their illegal tactics of threats, intimidation
and harassment meant to illegally force renters out of
their housing.

On Tuesday May 13, the 175,000 member California
Association of Realtors (CAR) sent out a press release
announcing their support of Proposition 98, which is
on the June ballot in California. The press release
failed to mention that realtors make a much larger
profit when selling a home, if the residents are all
forced out of their housing before the premises have
actually been sold. This is known as the eviction for
profit system.

If passed, Prop. 98 would weaken tenant protections
that are meant to keep realtors from illegally
rekeying locks, shutting off utilities or cutting off
a families water supply, as part of their illegal
efforts to force families from their housing, just to
make a bigger profit. In addition, Prop. 98 would also
eliminate rent control, and weaken environmental and
species protections.

It was during April of 2008 when Oakland City Attorney
John Russo filed suit against realtor Craig Jarvis to
send a message to all realtors that unlawful evictions
will not be tolerated in Oakland. It was also during
this very same month when the California Association
of Realtors started to make financial contributions to
the Prop. 98 campaign, and since then they have
contributed around $632,000 to the Prop. 98 campaign.

Tenants Speak Out Against Prop 98 & California
Association of Realtors

Eleanor Walden says; In a civilized society, people
have the right to safe and secure housing. Saving our
communities has a higher priority over making profits,
and it is obscene for the realtors to be making
families homeless in the name of making a profit. The
eviction for profit system must come to an end, now. I
say no on Prop. 98!

Lori Kossowsky says; Prop. 98 is totally flawed, and
with millions facing evictions from homeforeclosures,
now is not the time to eliminate tenant protections.
Vote no on Prop. 98!

Lynda Carson says; If Prop. 98 is not stopped dead in
it's track, there will be no protections for any of us
from unscrupulous realtors who are willing to do
anything to make a profit. No on 98, Yes on 99!

Eleanor Walden is a renter, Cultural Activist and a
Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board Member. For
interview, call; 510/848-6397

Lori Kossowsky is a renter and disabled tenant's
rights activist. For interview, call; 510/848-1040

Lynda Carson is a renter, and tenant's rights
activist. For interview, call; 510/763-1085