I found this article very confusing. While the wage is very low ($19000) the overall issue is the cost of rent. I could understand if the letter was directed to her landlord. Cost of utilities, travel and food would all be liveable for a year if the rent was halved by a room mate or rent control. It doesn't make sense to get mad at the company providing you with most of what you need to survive.

Also surely you know before deciding on the Bay Area that you're going to have either a min acceptable salary or a max acceptable rent. Saying yes to two things that don't add up is a recipe for a cycle of self inflicted misery.