California CRE News In Your Inbox.
Sign up for Connect emails to stay informed with CRE stories that are 150 words or less.
California Eviction Moratorium Could be Extended Until 2022
Set against the alarming backdrop of rising COVID-19 cases and a new set of California stay-at-home orders, an extension of the state’s eviction protections is also being proposed. Assemblymember David Chiu introduced two bills on Monday designed to keep renters in homes if they face continued hardships due to the coronavirus pandemic.
These new policies will extend eviction protections for renters impacted by COVID-19 through December 31, 2021, and work towards creating a framework for a rental assistance program.
California renters are protected from eviction to varying degrees under layers of federal, state, and local policies, but both state and federal protections are set to expire in the coming months. The eviction protections extension bill is AB 15. Protection already exists under AB 3088 until Feb. 1, 2021, but legislators believe additional relief is warranted in an effort to stem a potential overwhelming wave of evictions and newly unhoused people, leading to devastating public health impacts.
Legislators say even if eviction protections are extended, tenants will nevertheless be saddled with overwhelming debt, and landlords will continue to face financial strain due to the loss of rental income. This mountain of debt could have serious long-term economic consequences that need to be addressed in addition to keeping Californians safe in their homes. Chiu says a long-term solution to this problem is a government-funded, rental relief program.
Recognizing this need, a second bill introduced by Assemblymember Chiu on Monday, AB 16, aims to provide an eventual framework for how rental assistance would be dispersed in California. This rental relief bill is still in the early stages of development. Details will be worked out as it becomes clear whether funding for this purpose will come from the federal government.
California Apartment Association’s Debra Carlton says of the proposed legislation, “A more gradual extension — perhaps quarter by quarter — would be more appropriate, given the fact that a vaccine is on the way. Extending the current sunset date by 60 to 90 days is a better approach and will also give us more time to work out more details for legislation.”
For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Dennis Kaiser
- ◦Lease
