San Francisco's Dirty Secret: SROs

Some of San Francisco's Single Room Occupancy Hotels (SROs) are infested with vermin, yet still fetch upwards of $600 - $1200 per month. Will new ordinances help?

1 minute read

June 19, 2001, 1:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"What strikes me as so bizarre is that today in SF -- one of the most progressive cities in the world, and an urban center at the end of a massive economic boom -- these people must still be fighting for basic rights like living in buildings that meet basic health codes and being able to have a friend spend the night. Now that SRO activist Chris Daly -- who birthed his political career over the issue of "musical rooms," a practice whereby hotel landlords evict tenants after 29 days before they are entitled to rent-control protections -- has become Supervisor Chris Daly, it's easy to imagine that finally the tables have started to turn, and that SRO residents will be afforded the protections and rights they deserve."

Thanks to Tom Collins

Read the full story: Roach Hotels: Up to 20,000 endure fire danger, vermin and high rent in SROs

Tuesday, June 19, 2001 in The San Francisco Chronicle

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