Extensions of a temporary prohibition on rental tenant evictions and of a residential rent increase moratorium, as many renters are losing some or all of their income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, were both approved by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
The supervisors first approved the eviction moratorium and rent freeze in March, as the pandemic was beginning, and extended them in May. The latest urgency ordinances were set to expire Wednesday.
Tuesday’s urgency ordinance will extend the eviction prohibition through Sept. 30, and the rent freeze through Jan. 31, 2021. The supervisors on Tuesday pledged to revisit both before Sept. 30.
The protections are for tenants who can prove they’ve lost income because of the coronavirus — a layoff tied directly to a pandemic-related business loss or closure, for instance — or that they’ve had out-of-pocket medical bills related to the coronavirus.
The extended ordinance covers all parts of the county, both its 19 cities and the unincorporated areas.
Tuesday’s urgency extensions came as county officials have no idea how much state and/or federal support renters and landlords will be able to seek. Chief Assistant County Counsel Mary Ann Mason told the supervisors Tuesday that there are at least eight pending state bills that address the situation; one, Senate Bill 1410, would allow landlords to seek state assistance with income lost through non-payment of rents, and require renters to then repay back rents to the state.
Supervisors voted unanimously to approve both urgency extensions. Led by Karen Mitchoff of Concord, the supervisors also acknowledged that many landlords don’t have huge cash reserves, and are in just as much peril as are their renters.
“I’m challenging our federal and state representatives to get this taken care of,” Supervisor Diane Burgis of Oakley said Tuesday.
A report released last week by the Bay Area Equity Atlas found that 12,000 households, including 10,400 children, would have been at “imminent risk of eviction” had the moratorium not been extended. Also, 9,500 households could be at risk of eviction once the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program ends July 31, the report said.
So now the landlords have to fund free room and board for all. Who gives politicians the right to say what a person can do with their own property. What a joke!
Time to start selling the houses!!!!
hmmm maybe gavin and his cronies should not be paying off no profits and start working for the people for a first
and wow i can smell the board wanting and giving themselves a raise for their slacking efforts during this time ….
allowing theft and riots and pandering while everyone else is either labeled a racist or mtrucker …if they dont bow down ….and allow theft and looting as gavin releases prisoners early and allows a protesting group to instill fear into all of the citizens …..that group of course being pro democrat and funded by democrats …..
seems a bit of a hypocrisy again by democrats and their voters
but at least the owners were thrown a nod …..but not any cash like dem voters ….got
the destruction of the middle class is in full swing as the board pushes them into a hole that democrats hope they cant get out of
and have to take the democrat cool-aid indentured servitude system for the rest of their lives
but at least once their dems they can steal what ever they want ….yay
I feel sorry for the Landlords.
They’re taking a big hit financially.
I agree! Not all landlords are big corporations that can withstand the loss of income. Many are retirees who rent out homes as a supplement to their Social Security income, or other retirement income. Those people can’t withstand the loss for too much longer. Sad state of affairs.
This is a full frontal assault on the people. Can’t collect rent, can’t open your business. Can’t go to church. Schools closed. Can’t purchase firearms, still taxed to death, Can’t work or get a haircut. And you better keep your mouth covered about it or you will go to jail…Living the democrat California dream.
Straight mafia state. All to get Trump out..pathetic.
Am definitely a capitalist, but actually agree with this due to the current state of emergency. The last think we need are roving bands of evicted people. Things are so tense already…everyone stays put, no evictions, no foreclosures for a few more months.
..the level of arrogance one must possess to say you are a capitalist while pushing socialism is astounding. No scruples..none whatsoever
I have multiple rental properties throughout the Easy Bay and I made sure to screen my tenants. I only rent to Doctor’s, Lawyers, and other high value members of the community that have job security and the means to pay their rent.
Thank the good Lord I don’t own income property in this state. So would someone ask the supervisor how landlords are suppose to pay their mortgage.
I don’t see how they can possibly ask landlords to do this without forgiving property taxes and we know that is never going to happen.
As a friendly reminder to anyone who rents out residential property; they are legally required to lease to the first person (family) that qualifies. While the definition of what “qualifies a tenant” is not exact, a potential renter might pursue legal action if they have reason to believe they were denied for the wrong reason.
Is this legal?