SACRAMENTO – Two days before California’s partial eviction moratorium ended, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Friday to allow thousands of people behind on rent due to the coronavirus pandemic to remain in their homes.
“We recognize that we have to do more and continue to support the most vulnerable in this pandemic-driven economy,” said Newsom. “But this is a significant moment.”
The governor signed the bill during a ceremony broadcast live on social media. Also speaking were legislative leaders and a woman whose family fell ill with the coronavirus and is now months behind in rent, but was spared a possible eviction because of the moratorium.
State lawmakers approved the bill on Thursday with almost unanimous bipartisan support. While lawmakers agree that it is imperfect, they say that urgent action is needed to prevent mass evictions.
“We knew that if we didn’t act, in a few days that lifeline would slip through our fingers and more Californians would suffer,” said Pro Tem Senate President Toni Atkins, D-San Diego. “We know that there are more Californians in need who need our help to stay at their homes.”
The bill allows tenants facing financial difficulties due to the pandemic to remain in their homes until at least the end of June, when property owners can again seek evictions for non-payment of rent.
Newsom said the bill was designed to help people like Graciela Alvarado, the mother of three children in Moreno Valley (Riverside County), whose entire family received COVID-19 in September. Alvarado said she and her husband lost their jobs and that the family now owes $ 8,000 of late rent.
“I mean, thank you,” said Alvarado as tears filled his eyes. The bill will “help my family to continue”.
Federal rental assistance is aimed at low-income tenants, based on criteria such as unemployment eligibility, loss of income and medical expenses.
To qualify, family members must receive 80% or less of their county’s average income, an amount determined annually by the state housing department. It may take several weeks for help to be available.
The amount of help a tenant receives also depends on the owner’s availability to participate in the program.
California will cover 80% of the rent lost from April 2020 to March 2021, as long as the property owner forgives the rest of what the renter owes and does not seek an eviction. If the landlord does not participate, the landlord will receive only 25% of the 12 month delayed rent.
That total is still sufficient to prevent a tenant from being evicted when the moratorium expires. According to the moratorium law, homeowners would have to plead the rest of the rental debt in the small claims court.
Alexei Koseff, editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, contributed to this report.
Dustin Gardiner is a writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @dustingardiner