I do not want to be evicted from my home. I have lived in San Francisco for most of my life and grew up in the Lower Nob Hill neighborhood. This apartment is more than just a place to live—it is my home and part of the community where I have established my life. I am also a cancer survivor and am currently awaiting the resolution of a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson related to Risperdal and breast cancer. My circumstances have been extremely difficult, but I have never wanted to avoid my responsibilities as a tenant. I have wanted to resolve the rent issue and remain housed.

My partner is a veteran to the marine corps. He served in Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan and Spain. He has ptsd and is disabled. When we got this apartment we were so excited to not be homeless after being on the streets of sf for two ish years. They found out he got a voucher for the initial payment and hiked the rent up to the maximum possible amount they could get from his and my qualifications.

The current amount claimed to be owed has continued to grow because our landlord has refused to accept our rent payments. Last year, before our court date was set, we were approved for rental assistance that would have helped address the arrears. However, on the very day our assistance was ready to move forward, the landlord filed the eviction case, making it impossible for the rental assistance program to help us. Since then, we have been left in a situation where the balance continues to increase beyond what we could reasonably pay before trial. It feels as though every opportunity to resolve this matter has been blocked instead of encouraged.

In addition to the rent dispute, we have experienced ongoing problems with the condition and management of the building. We have been accused of stealing packages, even though our own packages have repeatedly been stolen, and those incidents were never properly investigated or followed up on. Building management has entered our apartment on multiple occasions without providing the legally required notice. The hot water has been unreliable and is frequently unavailable. The old cast-iron radiator rattles loudly and often sounds as though vermin are inside it, making it difficult to feel comfortable in our own home. The building elevator has also been out of service for extended periods, often for months at a time, creating additional hardship.

There have also been procedural issues that have caused us concern. At one point, we were served with the wrong legal documents, yet management proceeded as though we had been properly served. These experiences have left us feeling that our rights as tenants have not been respected. Despite everything that has happened, our goal has never been to avoid paying rent or to create conflict. We simply want a fair opportunity to resolve this matter, remain in our home, and move forward without the devastating consequence of eviction. We are just worried because there have been so many hiccups and are other cases where even when tenants have the money they still get evicted. To be honest if we could move and at the same time pay our debt that would be a dream come true.

like I stated before I am currently in a lawsuit with Johnson and Johnson for breast cancer I got from taking medication.

I am in school trying to get a business degree to start a business (my dream) My health condition has changed drastically and I am struggling financially. I’m unable to work a full time job for the first time in my life.

Really anything helps and it’s so much appreciated. Thanks for the support.