On March 17, the San Diego City Council President ratified the Mayor’s state of emergency declaration and passed a comprehensive package of legislation to help lessen the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on San Diego’s most at-risk residents.
The full package includes:
• A temporary moratorium on residential evictions due to non-payment of rent resulting from a loss of wages caused by the outbreak of COVID-19.
• A temporary moratorium on evictions and mortgage foreclosures for property owned by the San Diego Housing Authority due to non-payment of rent or mortgages resulting from a loss of wages caused by the outbreak.
• A resolution requesting the San Diego Superior Court to suspend all pending residential eviction cases during the pendency of state of emergency related to the outbreak of COVID-19.
• A resolution requesting the San Diego County Sheriff suspend service of unlawful detainer actions and enforcement of evictions.
• A resolution calling on the Department of Homeland Security to suspend immigration enforcement operations in sensitive locations including hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
• A request that San Diego Gas & Electric and any other utility provider to evaluate potential relief from late fees and utility shutoffs.
• Temporary relief funding for workers who were laid off or furloughed because of the outbreak of COVID-19 to help those workers pay rent and/or utility bills.
• A temporary moratorium on evictions for small businesses under commercial leases, who cannot pay rent.
• Evaluation of options to work with banks and lenders to halt mortgage payments or foreclosures for individuals and landlords.
• Prioritization of requests for emergency funding and support from the state and federal governments.
• Enforcement the Earned Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Ordinance.
• A delay on collection and enforcement of the City’s Business Tax Certificate fees.
• Suspension of enforcement of the Vehicle Habitation Ordinance.
• A request that the Mayor, working with the hotel association, labor partners, and homeless service providers, open hotel rooms that include provider services to unsheltered individuals and families.
Read more: San Diego Community News Group