Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders of both the Senate and the Assembly are extending California’s statewide evictions moratorium until September 30, and increasing compensation for California’s rent relief program. The state protections for tenants who pay at least 25 percent of rent are set to expire on Wednesday, but the agreement between Newsom and the leaders of the state Senate and Assembly makes it likely the Legislature will give the required approval of the three-month extension as early as Monday.

The three-party agreement on AB 832 will ensure that California quickly uses the more than $5 billion in federal rental assistance to help the state’s tenants and small landlords and protect vulnerable households from eviction. The agreement widens rental assistance by enhancing current law. Provisions include increasing reimbursement to 100 percent for both rent that is past due and prospective payments for both tenants and landlords. Additionally, the bill ensures rental assistance dollars stay in California by prioritizing cities and counties with unmet needs, and uses the judicial process to ensure tenants and landlords have attempted to obtain rental assistance.

“California is coming roaring back from the pandemic, but the economic impacts of COVID-19 continue to disproportionately impact so many low-income Californians, tenants and small landlords alike,” says Newsom. “That’s why I am thankful for today’s news from the Legislature – protecting low-income tenants with a longer eviction moratorium and paying down their back-rent and utility bills.”