Mayor Edwin M. Lee today issued the following statement on the passing of San Francisco Tenants Union Executive Director Ted Gullicksen:

“The sudden passing of longtime tenant advocate Ted Gullicksen is a loss for our City. Ted dedicated his life to the fight for the rights of tenants and for affordable housing in San Francisco, and his advocacy over the decades helped to put in place some of the strongest tenant protections in the country.

Working together, we brought to voters a Housing Trust Fund that is now helping us build more affordable housing in San Francisco. We formed a coalition of tenants, labor and business leaders to fight for housing and working families and longtime tenants against eviction by real estate speculators. I am grateful for Ted’s help and leadership in pushing for reforms to the Ellis Act at the State level and his lifelong commitment to our residents.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with Ted’s family and friends at this time of mourning.”