HUD OK's Section 8 Relocation Plan for Residents, But Plan Inadequate to Find Sufficient Housing

Read Press Coverage:
San Francisco Chronicle, 3/14
San Jose Mercury News, 3/14
San Mateo County Times, 3/14

Art imitates Life
PG&E Cast as Villain in New `True-Story' Movie
San Francisco Chronicle, 3/16

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Bradley Angel Greenaction

(415) 248-5010

PG&E's Front Gate Locked and Blocked

Midway Village Residents & Greenaction Protest at PG&E's Front Gate Demanding Permanent Relocation, Health Care and Just Compensation

Daly City, CA -- The front gates to PG&E's Martin Service Center next to Midway Village were blocked and locked by protesters as residents of the Midway Village housing project and Greenaction again demonstrated to demand PG&E finally provide the long overdue financial settlement to provide residents with health care, just compensation and permanent relocation away from their toxic contaminated neighborhood.

Earlier this week Housing and Urban Development officials notified San Mateo County that the federal government was willing to provide Section 8 housing vouchers to Midway Village residents, and would place the residents at the top of a 10,000 person Section 8 waiting list. Residents appreciate the offer, but point out that the enormous waiting list is proof that there is insufficient housing available under Section 8 to provide a remedy.

Thursday's protest directly challenged PG&E to begin good faith negotiations to address the community's concerns and demands. The recent community protests and revelations of widespread illnesses among the residents have brought government agencies to the negotiating table, and elected officials have begun to support the community's demands. Residents are furious that PG&E continues to stonewall and refuses to meet or negotiate in good faith.

Midway Village is operated by the San Mateo County Housing Authority. The 150 units are occupied by approximately 500 people of color. Midway Village and Bayshore Park were built on land contaminated with toxic substances, notably polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNAs), a class of compounds of which many are known carcinogens. The contaminants are from the neighboring PG&E site. Residents suffer from illnesses including cancer, skin problems, respiratory problems, sterility and possibly from genetic defects.