Written by Faith in Action Bay Area Leaders in San Mateo County
With the eviction cliff just 5 days away, we are sharing the most up-to-date information about anti-eviction policies at the federal, state, county, and city level.
News from Sacramento
Bill to Extend State Eviction Moratorium Introduced Today; 2/3 Vote Required on Monday
After weeks of private, closed-door negotiations between the Governor, Speaker of the Assembly, and Senate Pro Tem, bill language (AB 832) was introduced today to extend the state eviction protections until September 30 and to modify the state rental assistance program.
However, the bill is being advanced outside of the budget process, which means that it will require a two-thirds vote in both the State Assembly and State Senate to become law immediately. Two-thirds will be a difficult threshold to meet, and the law is not yet secured. State legislators anticipate a vote on Monday.
Key components of the bill include:
Extension of state eviction protections (SB 91) through September 30 for people who cannot pay their rent due to loss of work during the pandemic
Landlords can obtain 100% of rent owed to them since April 1, 2020, even if the tenant is no longer living in the property
Tenants, including those whose landlords do not apply, are eligible for 100% of the rent owed since April 1, 2020
Until March 2022; landlords must prove that they have applied for rental assistance or that a tenant is ineligible for state rental assistance before an eviction case can proceed in court
Local jurisdictions cannot enact stronger eviction protections that state law until March 2022 (state law preempts local law)
State and Local Action Still Necessary, Despite One-Month Extension of Federal Eviction Moratorium
Although it's great news that the CDC has extended the federal eviction moratorium by one month, our state and local governments still need to act to protect families from homelessness.
Unlike the CDC order, California anti-eviction protections that are set to expire address the upstream causes of eviction. These state protections limit how landlords can give eviction notices and largely prevent eviction notices and unlawful detainer court cases for people who have been financially hurt by COVID-19. These state protections are more effective than their federal counterparts in preventing evictions, homelessness, and mass displacements and in keeping our families secure. That's why we need them to be renewed.
We also need more than a month to make sure state rental assistance funds actually get into the hands of those who need it. As of June 21, just over $3 million in rental assistance funds has been distributed in San Mateo County. Around $30 million has been requested out of the $70 million available for residents in our county.
News from San Mateo County
San Mateo County Confirms Its Deferral to Cities,
Evading Necessary Leadership
Today, Faith in Action leaders and clergy confirmed that the Board of Supervisors will only be considering an eviction moratorium for unincorporated areas.
Although the Supervisors of Contra Costa County and LA County passed county-wide policies this week, our representatives are declining to use their moral and legal authority to pass the county-wide policy that is needed.
Given this disappointing reality, it is imperative that cities prepare to pass local policies in the event that AB 832 does not pass at the state level.
Several Local Jurisdictions
Set to Consider Eviction Protections Next Week
Congratulations to Mountain View for passing a strong city eviction moratorium through the end of August 2021!
On Monday evening, Redwood City and Menlo Park will vote on local eviction moratoria. On Tuesday morning at 9 a.m., the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors will also consider it. South San Francisco and East Palo Alto may call emergency meetings on Tuesday evening to pass local protections.
Got Questions or Comments?
You Can Reach Us at nani@faithinactionba.org
