Substandard housing risks grow with coronavirus pandemic

San Jose Mercury News - The Oakland City Attorney has sued three landlords for allegedly harassing and trying to illegally evict tenants, escalating concerns that renters still face dislocation and dangerous conditions despite enhanced protections during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The suit claims the landlords of three Oakland rentals harassed tenants and forced them to live in unsafe and squalid apartments for at least two years and continuing during the pandemic.

“This case presents some of the most extreme harassment and exploitation we’ve encountered in our tenant protection actions,” Oakland City Attorney Barbara J. Parker said in a statement. “We will not tolerate this flagrant abuse in Oakland.”

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