Tag: Housing

  • San Diego Mayor Calls for Special Substandard Housing Enforcement Team

    Karina Villanueva shows KPBS and Voice of San Diego a photo of mold above her shower on Nov. 20, 2014. | Photo Credit: Brian Myers, Media Arts Center San Diego By Megan Burks Derelict landlords beware: Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s draft budget is out Monday and it includes money for a team dedicated to rooting out…

  • Landlord Got $500K in Public Subsidies While Maintaining Substandard Conditions

    Brian O’Shea has made his City Heights apartment a home. A large Chargers flag covers its main wall. Framed scriptures remind him of the strength he mustered several years back to kick his drinking habit. Cowboy hats hang on the wall like plaques, commemorating his time as a bull rider at local rodeos. But the apartment…

  • Problem Landlord to Unload 30 Apartment Buildings

    Bankim Shah’s apartment building in Barrio Logan. | Photo Credit: Brian Myers, Media Arts Center San Diego By Megan Burks San Diego landlord Bankim Shah put 30 of his apartment buildings up for sale late this week. Shah came under scrutiny in a Voice of San Diego and KPBS investigation showing a history of housing…

  • Mayor Pledges More Funds to Help Tenants

    City Inspectors to Get Certified to Handle Infestations Sherry Godat reveals a plywood board in her window frame Nov. 20, 2014. Bankim Shah promised to replace the missing window before she moved in. A friend installed the plywood after months passed with no repairs. | Photo Credit: Brian Myers, Media Arts Center San Diego By…

  • Whack-A-Mole City Enforcement Keeps Problem Landlords In Business

    The city’s code compliance team knocks out thousands of isolated complaints a year, but does little to hold repeat offenders accountable. Residents and city staff have lodged complaints against one landlord for years, but roaches and mold still fester in his apartments. | Video Credit: Brian Myers, Media Arts Center San Diego By Megan Burks…