Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders from the state Senate and Assembly announced a proposed extension of California’s statewide evictions moratorium on Friday. Legislators also want to increase funding for the state’s rent relief program.
The extension of the moratorium through AB 832 will continue the state’s eviction ban until September 30, 2021, and use $5 billion in federal assistance funds for tenants and small landlords. The legislators agreed to increase reimbursement through the rental assistance program to 100 percent for past due rent and future payments for both tenants and landlords.
According to state Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), the state’s housing crisis pre-dated the pandemic. He and other legislators emphasized that though the state may have reopened, the effects of the pandemic are still felt in households.
“People are trying to find jobs and make ends meet and one of the greatest needs is to extend the evictions moratorium—which includes maximizing the federal funds available to help the most tenants and landlords possible—so that they can count on a roof over their heads while their finances rebound,” he said.
Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) believes the extension will help not only renters but landlords, too, by getting them rental payments.
"This moratorium will keep families in homes, provide critical financial support to landlords, and help protect our supply of rental housing," he said.
Legislators said the rental assistance funds from the federal government made the extension and rental assistance expansion possible.
Counties in California have already extended their own eviction bans. The LA County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to extend the local ban on Tuesday.
At the supervisors’ vote, many landlords opposed the extension. Despite opposition from landlords, Democratic legislators say the programs will help them as well.
“The economic impacts of COVID-19 continue to disproportionately impact so many low-income Californians, tenants and small landlords alike,” said Newsom in a statement.
The governor plans to sign the law as soon as he receives it.