For more than four decades, 92-year-old Sue Yeng Yan has called the same modest apartment in San Francisco’s Chinatown home.
Filled with family photographs, cherished possessions, and memories accumulated over a lifetime, the one-bedroom unit has been her refuge since she arrived in the city from China in the early 1980s.
Now, Yan fears she could lose that home after receiving an eviction notice from the building’s new owner, setting off a dispute that has drawn attention from tenant advocates and community members concerned about the treatment of elderly residents.
Eviction Notice Sparks Anxiety
Yan was served with an eviction notice on March 10, several months after Los Angeles-based landlord Nabob Hill LLC purchased the 16-unit apartment building at 1120 Jackson Street.
According to the notice, the landlord alleges that excessive personal belongings and debris inside her apartment create safety and fire hazards.
The claims have left Yan deeply distressed, as she worries about what could happen if she is forced to leave.
Speaking through a Chinese-language interview, Yan described living in constant fear and uncertainty.
The prospect of losing her home at her age has raised concerns that she could struggle to find alternative housing in one of the nation’s most expensive rental markets.
Four Decades in a Rent-Controlled Home
Yan moved to San Francisco from Zhanjiang, China, in 1982 and settled into the Jackson Street apartment roughly a year later.
Since then, she has remained in the same residence for 43 years.
Her rent-controlled apartment costs just $281.42 per month—an amount that stands in stark contrast to modern rental prices across San Francisco.
With average one-bedroom rents reaching thousands of dollars monthly, relocation would present a major financial challenge for many residents, especially seniors living on limited incomes.
The apartment building itself occupies a desirable location near downtown, offering city views and proximity to the famous cable car route.
Property listings from previous years highlighted the building’s below-market rents and suggested substantial revenue potential through tenant turnover.
Multiple Residents Also Receive Notices
Yan is not the only tenant facing possible eviction.
Five other residents in the building reportedly received similar notices, and several of those affected are also senior citizens.
Many of the building’s residents have lived there for decades.
According to attorneys representing tenants, 13 of the 16 apartments are occupied by long-term residents, some of whom have remained in the building for as many as 45 years.
Most tenants are low-income Chinese immigrants, and several have limited English proficiency, making the legal proceedings particularly challenging.
Landlord Defends Its Actions
Representatives for Nabob Hill LLC insist that the eviction efforts are not financially motivated but are instead focused on safety concerns.
Attorney Daniel Bornstein, who represents the property owner, said management spent months attempting to resolve issues through courtesy notices before initiating formal legal action.
He stated that allegations involving clutter, hoarding, and unsanitary conditions are supported by photographic evidence.
Bornstein also emphasized that the owners believe the matter will be resolved through the court system and maintained that current management staff can communicate with residents in both English and Cantonese.
In addition, he explained that withholding rent payments while alleged violations remain unresolved is standard practice under city regulations.
Tenants Claim They Are Being Forced Out
Residents and their advocates see the situation differently.
They argue that the nuisance complaints are being used as a mechanism to remove long-term tenants from rent-controlled apartments, allowing the property owner to charge significantly higher rents in the future.
Tenant attorney Shelby Nacino questioned why several nearly identical eviction cases emerged within the same building at the same time.
She said residents are particularly concerned about communication issues and the broader implications for vulnerable seniors.
Community Rallies Behind Residents
The dispute has sparked public demonstrations and community activism.
Earlier this week, residents joined supporters and housing advocates in a protest opposing the planned evictions.
Participants carried signs in both English and Chinese calling for tenant protections and urging the landlord to halt the proceedings.
Longtime resident Kin Wong, who has lived in the building for more than 35 years, appealed to the property owner to stop what he described as harassment and displacement efforts.
Another tenant, Kit Ying Mak, who moved into the building shortly after immigrating from Hong Kong in 2002, said the eviction notice delivered to her and her mother has taken a severe emotional toll.
A Legal Battle With Broader Implications
As the dispute moves through legal channels, the outcome could have significant consequences not only for Yan but also for other elderly residents living in rent-controlled housing across San Francisco.
For Yan, however, the issue remains deeply personal.
After spending more than four decades in the same apartment, she now faces the possibility of leaving behind the home that has defined much of her life in America—an outcome she says she fears every day.
