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On October 1, 2026, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors' Government Audit and Oversight Committee held a hearing to investigate mass evictions, habitability issues, and management irregularities at three Western Addition housing complexes managed by Domus Management Company: Martin Luther King/Marcus Garvey Square Cooperative Apartments, Thomas Payne Square Apartments, and Amil Park Cooperative. The hearing was led by Supervisor Balaal Mahmood, who represents the district. Over 50 residents and advocates testified, describing a pattern of mismanagement, retaliation, and inadequate living conditions.
Director Mawuli Tugbenyo and supervising manager Anna Maraga Archila reported that the HRC has received complaints of discrimination from primarily senior Black women at these properties. However, because Domus is not a city contractor, the HRC lacks authority to enforce fair housing laws and can only mediate. They noted that Domus has been uncooperative in mediation, which is atypical.
Tuesday Thornton, an attorney with the Eviction Defense Collaborative, stated she represents two tenants at King Garvey. She described administrative mismanagement, including confusing rental arrears and eviction notices based on small amounts ($5,000-$6,000) while the properties claimed much larger debts (up to $47,000) that cannot be substantiated. She noted that Domus has no records to back up the larger amounts, and that the attorney for King Garvey, Mercedes Gavin, has been litigating aggressively, filing numerous motions instead of settling. She highlighted that California lacks a right of redemption, meaning tenants cannot stop eviction by paying the demanded amount after a three-day notice expires.
Deborah, a resident of Thomas Payne for 16 years, described a pattern of management harassment: office hours that are not resident-friendly (10am–3pm), unresponsive maintenance, refusal to provide ledgers, and a security company that does not patrol. She stated that management fabricated paperwork and retaliated against tenant organizers. Deborah herself received an eviction notice despite paying rent on time; management refused to accept her money orders. She reported two high-profile crimes on the property in the past year—a break-in and an assault—with no security response. A meeting with Bethel AME Church leadership in June yielded no improvements.
Didi Hewitt, a 30-year resident and former board member, called the situation an "internment camp." She noted that 16 Black shareholders were placed on eviction lists without proper service, and that residents have not received annual equity statements or interest reports since Domus took over. She described a $54 million renovation in 2010 that failed to abate asbestos, and a new $59 million loan signed without a quorum of shareholders. Daniel Landry, a resident since 1976 and former board member, reported that Domus staff use utility spaces as unauthorized apartments, and that a box containing 500 Social Security numbers was left unsecured in the boardroom. He also noted that the current board president, Linda Yochum, has refused to call special meetings, causing a lack of quorum.
Harriet Larkin, representing ten East African residents, stated that Domus claimed HUD had changed requirements for four‑bedroom units, demanding that residents convert to Section 8 or face eviction. Domus provided no written proof of the change. Meanwhile, market‑rate rents for four‑bedroom units increased from $2,000 to over $6,000 in two years. Residents have not received financial reports for years. The board took out a $1.5 million loan for a new laundry room and parking lot repaving, leaving units in disrepair with water leaks, mold, and rat infestations.
Over 20 residents and community members spoke in support of the hearing. Many reiterated issues of habitability, retaliation, stolen cashier’s checks, broken elevators, and lack of security. Several speakers noted that the problems are citywide and part of a pattern of neglect of Black and immigrant communities. Speakers also called for increased funding for eviction defense and for subpoenas to compel attendance from absent parties.
Good morning. This meeting will come to order. Welcome to the October 1st, 2026 regular meeting of the government audit and oversight committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. I'm Supervisor Stephen Sherrill, Chair of the Committee, joined by Vice Chair Supervisor Jackie Fielder and Supervisor Alan Wong. Today we're also joined by our colleague, Supervisor Balal Mahmood. Um, the committee clerk today is John Carroll, and thanks to Clina Mendoza of SFGov TV as well. Mr. Clerk, do you have any announcements? Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Please ensure that you've silenced your cell phones and other electronic devices you've brought with you into the chamber today. If you have any documents to be included as part of today's file, you can submit those documents directly to me and I'll meet you at the rail to pass them. Public comment will be taken on each item on today's agenda. When your item of interest comes up and public comment is called, please line up to speak along your right hand side of this room. Alternatively, you may submit public comment in writing in either of the following ways. First, you may email Monique Creighton, who is the usual GAO committee clerk, and her email address is M-O-N-I-Q-U-E.CRAYTON at SFGOV.org. Or you may send your written comments via U.S. Postal Service to our office in City Hall. The address is one Dr. Carlton B. Goodlit Place, room 244, San Francisco, California 94102. If you submit public comment in writing, I will forward the comments that you've sent to us to the supervisors on this panel, and also include your comments as part of the official file on which you are commenting. That's all I have for announcements, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Can you please call item number one? Agenda item number one is a hearing to investigate the mass evictions and concerns around habitability, affordable housing, recertification, payment processing, and resident safety at Martin Luther King slash Marcus Garvey Square Cooperative Apartments, Thomas Payne Square Apartments, and other properties currently or previously under the management of a domus management company. Thank you. And this is why I assume most of you all are here. Um for this hearing our colleague Supervisor Balamakhmood, who represents the Western Edition is going to lead this hearing. First of all, I'd like to thank you for calling it. I think it goes without saying that it is necessary, but I'll say it anyway. Um thank you for being here today, and to all of you in the audience who have suffered unnecessarily because of this. I want to thank all of you for being here as well. Um with that, um, I'm going to turn it over to Supervisor Makmood. Uh please take it away. Thank you, Chair Sherrill.