Post Type
28th Avenue Lawsuit
About the Campaign
On April 5, 2021, long-time Oakland tenants living in a run-down six-unit apartment building filed a lawsuit against their landlord, Michael You, calling for the immediate repair of unlawful, dangerous conditions that are widespread throughout the apartments, threatening the health and safety of residents, including children. The building is located on 28th Avenue in the heart of Oakland’s Fruitvale District.
Conditions include missing or expired fire extinguishers and smoke detectors; rodent and cockroach infestation and mold; lack of hot water and inadequate water pressure; heaters, stoves, refrigerators and plumbing systems that don’t work; broken locks on doors and windows, and extensive damage to ceilings and floors that results in leaks.
The residents, all Spanish-speaking immigrants who have been organizing themselves to demand that repairs be made to their homes, are represented by Public Advocates’ Staff Attorney Ruby Acevedo, attorney David Levin of DML Law Offices, and Jackie Zaneri, Staff Attorney at ACCE (Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment). The complaint also alleges massive violations of Oakland’s Tenant Protection Ordinance and state health and safety laws.
Resources
- Lawsuit
- April 5, 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Article
- April 5, 2021 Press Release (English)
- April 5, 2021 Press Release (Spanish)
- April 5, 2021 Press Conference Recording
- Tenants’ Demand Letter to Landlord
- February 2, 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Article