The beginning of another month signals that rent is due. However, for millions of tenants, relief is on the way, as a result of new laws the Legislature sent the Governor last week. With his signature, California enacted the strongest renter protections in the country.
As Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, I helped push forth SB 91, which extends the eviction moratorium through June. This allows residents to stay in their homes, if they can declare under penalty of perjury that their inability to pay rent is due to COVID-19. While tenants will still be responsible for any unpaid amounts, these outstanding balances cannot be the basis for eviction.
Furthermore, this new law creates a State Rental Assistance Program using $2.6 billion in federal funds to help Californians who are most at-risk of becoming homeless. Financial support is also available under this plan to help small property owners pay the mortgages on their rental units. But they must agree to waive 20% of unpaid rent to qualify. The program will be up and running in a matter of weeks; click here for more information.
We know there's still more work to do, and I welcome hearing your ideas. Expect additional action from Sacramento to support struggling Californians and get our state on the road to economic recovery.
Sincerely,