SF Desperately Offers $5,000 Airbnb Gift Cards to Get People to Leave Troubled Potrero Hill Housing Complex

"But Mission Local had a bombshell revelation in April 2024, when they found that a rogue property manager at those buildings was simply collecting tenants' rent in cash and pocketing it for himself. But the city was not sympathetic to those tenants' plight, and started sending them eviction notices last August. Still, the tenants are making legal cases that they did pay rent, and their eviction cases might drag on in court for months, if not years."

"So the city is trying a new tactic, as the Chronicle reports the city is offering those tenants $5,000 Airbnb gift cards to please leave their units as soon as possible. The city needs those tenants out so their demolition can proceed. But the Chron says the $5,000 gift card offer was sent to a seemingly random selection of tenants."

San Francisco plans to demolish much of the 54-building Potrero Terrace and Annex public housing complex and replace it with new buildings after recurring fires and failing inspections. A rogue property manager collected cash rent and pocketed payments, leaving roughly 40 households living under illegal leases. The city issued eviction notices to those residents despite tenant claims of having paid rent and ongoing legal challenges. To hasten vacancies for demolition, the city offered selected tenants $5,000 Airbnb gift cards and in some cases later reduced offers to $4,500 cash. Tenants report offers were lowered over time and say the amounts are insufficient to relocate in San Francisco, while tenants with legal leases are being offered housing in rebuilt units.

Read at sfist.com