In the heart of San Francisco’s Southeast neighborhoods, particularly the Mission, the Southeast Tenants Association (SETA) is a powerful, tenant-led movement committed to protecting renters from displacement and fighting for housing justice. With a focus on serving Spanish-speaking tenants, SETA provides a platform for residents to unite, advocate for their rights, and push back against landlords and policies that threaten their homes.
Southeast Tenants Association (SETA)
Formed to address the unique challenges faced by tenants in these neighborhoods, SETA is rooted in the belief that culturally competent community organizing is the key to securing better housing conditions and preventing evictions. Through tenant unions, residents come together to fight for their collective rights, creating a strong, unified voice to take on systemic housing injustices.
What We Do
At SETA, our organizing efforts are focused on building tenant power in the Mission and other southeastern neighborhoods, prioritizing Spanish-speaking tenants and families. We believe that organizing in Districts 9, 10, & 11 in San Francisco allows us to address the specific challenges faced by each community and neighborhood, helping us drive change at the city level.
Our approach includes:
Door-to-door outreach
Connecting with tenants to understand their needs, inform them of their rights, and invite them to join the fight for better housing conditions.
Leadership development
Training tenants to become advocates for their buildings and neighborhoods through negotiation skills and rights education.
District Organizing
Recognizing that decisions in the city are often made based on neighborhoods, we organize by building tenant associations to build local power and influence housing decisions.
Our tenants' campaigns have led to numerous victories, including fighting rent increases, stopping evictions, and securing critical building repairs. For example, our campaigns at 2334 Mission and across other Rent-to-Own (RTO) buildings have forced landlords to make long-overdue habitability improvements and protected tenants from unfair displacement.
Our Campaigns & Victories
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2021
Elena’s Campaign – A Pivotal fight for Rent Relief and SETA’S first precinct campaign in the Mission neighborhood.
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2022
Denhi Donis Campaign – A successful precinct wide campaign to stop displacement from Ellis Act evictions.
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2022
2334 Mission RTO Building – Organized to stop the sale of their building to prevent displacement and secure repairs.
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2022-2023
Melissa’s Campaign – A Tenant Association led fight to stop a neighbor's Costa Hawkins eviction and demand Anchor Realty to certify the tenants Association.
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2023-Current
Organized all RTO buildings, representing tenants 20 buildings across 3 districts preventing evictions, demanding dignified housing, negotiating rents, and holding landlords accountable.
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2024
Organized 2911 16th and 2061 Mission buildings for Sale and negotiated a Tenant Association Agreement with a Non-profit Houser and advocacy for the Small Sites Reform. The first tenant association to be recognized by a non-profit house.
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2025
1917 & 1933 Mission Tenants Association living in a non-rent control building organized to win a maximum 5% rent increase.
Voices of Our Leaders
"I became a member to learn about my rights as a tenant. Where I used to live, I went through many difficult situations because I didn't know my rights. Now, I know that as our association grows, the stronger we get, and our voices will be heard. Stop Evictions!”
Adriana Rendon
"When I met the Southeast Tenants Association, I was motivated to educate myself about tenants' rights. I want to share what I learned with my community and empower our people, who are living in fear of being evicted."
Aurelia Ramirez
