Governor Gavin Newson and legislative leaders of both the Senate and the Assembly have announced an extension of California’s statewide eviction moratorium until September 30th, 2021, and increasing compensation for California’s rent relief program to pay landlords 100% of unpaid rent. The eviction bill was passed on a 34-0 bipartisan vote in the state Senate on Monday, June 28th.
This bill—funded by $7.2 billion in federal and state money – will fully reimburse landlords for debt accrued by tenants during the pandemic and cover missed utility bills. It also directs money toward city and county relief payments even if their landlords refuse to apply.
Arriving on a tight deadline, the three-party agreement on AB 832 will ensure that California quickly uses more than $5 billion in federal rental assistance to help the state’s tenants and small landlords and protects vulnerable households from eviction. The agreement widens rental assistance by enhancing current law. Provisions include increasing reimbursement to 100 percent for both rent that is past due and prospective payments for both tenants and landlords. Additionally, the bill ensures rental assistance dollars stay in California by prioritizing cities and counties with unmet needs and uses the judicial process to ensure tenants and landlords have attempted to obtain rental assistance.
Landlord groups criticize the extended ban on evictions, while tenant advocates claim the protections and promise of additional funds would stave off a rise in homelessness.
The nationwide eviction ban was extended by the White House through July, further preventing the eviction of tenants who are unable to make rental payments.
