The Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) is spotlighting the tremendous work of The Tenant Advocacy Project (TAP) and the story of a recent client, Sharon, who was able to secure a safer living space after construction began on a closeby unit. 

Sharon first connected with the Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) years ago, when they were looking for a pro bono attorney for an unrelated legal matter. Upon developing this new housing issue, Sharon reached out to BASF and was referred to JDC’s TAP. A longtime project with JDC, TAP has been restructured to help tenants avoid eviction by settling disputes with their landlords earlier in the process, and also works to ensure tenants have habitable living spaces. Currently, TAP has several dozen ongoing cases. Sharon’s story is just one example of the work that the Tenant Advocacy Project will do in the future to protect tenant rights in San Francisco. 

Sharon is a senior citizen with significant health issues, whose landlord had started construction in the unit next to theirs. The fumes and dust, paired with the noise from construction, were difficult to manage and made it almost impossible for Sharon to stay in their apartment during construction. The client had reached out to their property manager for a change in units but had only been given space in the shared tenant lounge. TAP reached out to the property manager and secured the tenant a vacant furnished unit for use during construction hours, allowing them access to ventilation and preventing the deterioration of their health. 

Sharon was both impressed and grateful with the speed in which TAP was able to secure a safer unit since their landlord has a reputation for being difficult to navigate. Ultimately, Sharon called the help they received from TAP as a “lifesaver,” and stated that if they had not been able to move units during the construction, they may have been in trouble. In the future, Sharon knows that if her neighbors ever need housing help, they can call TAP. Sharon hopes that those who volunteer with TAP in the future will be able to experience the satisfaction that comes from helping others and providing much needed relief to clients. 

TAP will be looking for volunteers in the near future. If you are interested in volunteering with TAP or would like to learn more, please visit their website or email us at probono@sfbar.org.