I n reporting on the tenant lawsuit against Veritas Investments Inc., the Public Press engaged company spokesman Ron Heckmann at length. Here are excerpts of some of our questions and his responses.
Author Archives: Noah Arroyo
Noah Arroyo is the San Francisco Public Press’ editor. He has previously worked at the San Francisco Chronicle and Mission Local, specializing in enterprise journalism.
Posted inHousing, Land use, Law & Justice, Renters vs. Veritas
Searching for Truth in Tenants’ Lawsuit Against S.F. Corporate Landlord
More than 100 tenants in 39 rent-controlled apartment buildings have sued the owner, Veritas Investment Inc., for behavior they allege is designed to push them out in favor of new, higher-paying residents. The $3 billion company denies the charges, alleging the lawsuit is a money grab.
Posted inCity Hall, Elections, Fall 2018 Election, Health, Homelessness, Housing, Labor, News, Technology
Prop. C Math Shows Potentially Greater Homelessness Benefit Than City Projects
A Public Press examination of calculations that went into projections of homeless people helped versus jobs or companies lost from a tax increase offers a clearer picture of Proposition C’s potential impacts and the limitations of trying to accurately quantify the effects of the measure — if it withstands legal scrutiny.
Posted inEducation, Fall 2018 Election, News, Social Justice
Youths Step Up to Question School Board Candidates
In a first for the 2018 election season, students took the reins to organize a forum for school board candidates. They asked the questions and ran the show.
Posted inCity Hall, Education, Social Justice
Deja Vu: Proposal Aims to Change Student Placement to Desegregate Schools
Racial segregation in San Francisco public schools is back in the news, with a proposal to change how the district places students into elementary school. This move comes three years after the Public Press reported on how the system was resegregating city schools.
Posted inCity Hall, Elections, Environment, Housing, News
Mapping S.F. City Hall’s Political Divide Through Data
When media outlets and pundits have argued that San Francisco officials were politically progressive or moderate, it mostly was based on observation and conjecture. But now, such assertions are buttressed with data. We show you who’s which at City Hall.
Posted inBay Area, City Hall, Elections, Government & Politics, Housing, Land use, News, Remaking Rent Control
Remaking Rent Control — if Voters Approve
Cities would regain power to regulate rental housing if Proposition 10 passes in November, repealing Costa-Hawkins. But would that help or hurt the affordability crisis?
Posted inCity Hall, June 2018 Special Election, News
Finally, Data Map S.F. City Hall’s Progressive-Moderate Divide
Exclusive: A data-driven analysis has, at last, mapped the progressive-moderate divide at San Francisco City Hall that political observers have known in their guts for years.
Posted inCity Hall, Education, Homelessness, Housing, June 2018 Special Election
As Mayor, Breed Would Centralize Tent Camps to End Them, Boost Housing Density
In her bid to reoccupy the mayor’s seat she held briefly after Ed Lee died, London Breed lists a bevy of accomplishments and proposals in the realms of housing and homelessness. In many cases, the Board of Supervisors president openly states that she did — or would, if elected — play a support role to craft or implement city policy. For other initiatives and proposals, Breed’s ownership is undeniable. Last in a series analyzing the eight mayoral candidates’ records and pledges on housing and homelessness.
Posted inCity Hall, Elections, June 2018 Special Election, News
Mayoral Candidates Respond — or Do Not — to Our Issues Questionnaire
Three of the eight candidates for mayor answered our policy questions and offered feedback. The questionnaire was inspired by an analysis of key political issues that have come before the Board of Supervisors.