Elderly residents at a Petaluma apartment complex say they are facing eviction notices and physical confrontations after raising concerns about parking and building maintenance — and some believe the actions are retaliation for speaking out.
Key Takeaways
- Casa Grande Senior Apartments on Casa Grande Road in Petaluma is managed by nonprofit PEP Housing, whose CEO earns $256,000 per year including a $25,000 bonus.
- Resident Randall Dean, 74, filed a police report April 10 alleging a PEP maintenance worker grabbed his arm and restricted his movement.
- At least two residents received breach-of-covenant notices in late March, threatening lease termination over alleged “raised voice” and “threatening language.”
- One resident received a rent increase notice — moved from September to May — shortly after speaking to police about a parking dispute, which tenants call retaliation.
- PEP Housing CEO Jennifer Litwak says there are “material inconsistencies” in the account of the physical confrontation and that the organization complies with all regulatory requirements.
What Happened at Casa Grande
According to reporting by the Press Democrat, disputes at Casa Grande Senior Apartments have been building for months. The onsite property manager has allegedly been reserving two to four parking spots for herself and her live-in partner, leaving elderly residents — some with limited mobility — to park on the street. When residents were asked to vacate spots for tree-trimming, at least one elderly woman fell while crossing an uneven median on her way back to the building.
Tensions reached a breaking point on April 10, when resident Randall Dean, 74, filed a police report alleging that a PEP maintenance worker grabbed his arm and restricted his movement after demanding he repeat comments made to a contractor. Dean says the incident left bruising on his arm and hand. As of Saturday, the Petaluma Police Department had taken his report, but no charges had been filed.
Eviction Notices and Allegations of Retaliation
Roughly two weeks before the police incident, on March 25, at least two residents received breach-of-covenant notices warning that “raised voice and threatening language” violated their lease terms. Residents say the notices were designed to silence tenant complaints rather than address genuine safety and maintenance concerns — including chipping paint, dry rot, and leaky rooms — that they say the complex has failed to fix. Residents also report that resident services coordinator positions have been reduced, cutting off a key point of contact for vulnerable tenants.
The situation took a more alarming turn when one resident reported receiving a rent increase notice — with the timing moved from September to May — after speaking to police about the parking dispute. Advocates note that California law provides significant protections against retaliatory rent increases for tenants who exercise their legal rights, including contacting authorities.
The disputes come as Sonoma County’s broader social safety net is under pressure. As detailed in county budget workshops underway this week, federal funding cuts could affect nonprofit organizations that provide housing and services to low-income and elderly residents. PEP Housing receives state and federal subsidies to operate affordable housing across Sonoma County.
PEP Housing Responds
PEP Housing CEO Jennifer Litwak, who earns $256,000 annually including a $25,000 bonus according to the Press Democrat, disputed Dean’s account in a statement, saying there are “material inconsistencies” in his description of the April 10 incident and that the complaint was not initially reported to PEP staff. She maintained that PEP Housing complies with all regulatory staffing requirements and emphasized that the organization is committed to providing safe housing for residents.
Residents say they have struggled to get a response from PEP’s Santa Rosa-based corporate office, which they describe as slow to address complaints. No city or county oversight action had been announced as of Saturday morning.
Petaluma has already seen pressure on community institutions serving lower-income residents: in March, Sacks Thrift Store announced it was closing after nearly 40 years, ending a beloved institution that had long served budget-conscious shoppers and families. Housing advocates say the situation at Casa Grande is another sign of mounting strain on the city’s most vulnerable residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord evict me or raise my rent for calling the police?
Under California law, landlords — including nonprofit housing operators — are prohibited from retaliating against tenants for exercising their legal rights, including contacting law enforcement. If a rent increase or eviction notice follows a tenant’s protected activity, it can be challenged in court. Petaluma residents can contact the Sonoma County Legal Services Foundation or Bay Area Legal Aid for free guidance.
Who oversees PEP Housing and who can I contact with concerns?
PEP Housing is a nonprofit that receives state and federal funding to provide affordable housing in Sonoma County, making it subject to oversight by the California Department of Housing and Community Development and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Residents can submit complaints directly to HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at 1-800-669-9777. The City of Petaluma’s Housing Division may also be able to assist.
What are the maintenance rights of tenants in affordable housing?
California law requires landlords to maintain rental units in habitable condition, including weatherproofing, working plumbing, and freedom from significant defects like dry rot and water intrusion. Tenants in subsidized housing have the same habitability rights as those in market-rate housing. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after written notice, tenants may have the right to withhold rent or pursue other legal remedies.
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