On Aug. 31, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he has signed legislation to protect millions of tenants from eviction and property owners from foreclosure due to the economic impacts of COVID-19. These protections apply to tenants who declare an inability to pay all or part of the rent due to a COVID-related reason.

“COVID-19 has impacted everyone in California, but some bear much more of the burden than others, especially tenants struggling to stitch together the monthly rent, and they deserve protection from eviction,” Newsom said. “This new law protects tenants from eviction for non-payment of rent and helps keep homeowners out of foreclosure as a result of economic hardship caused by this terrible pandemic. California is stepping up to protect those most at-risk because of COVID-related nonpayment, but it’s just a bridge to a more permanent solution once the federal government finally recognizes its role in stabilizing the housing market. We need a real, federal commitment of significant new funding to assist struggling tenants and homeowners in California and across the nation.”

On Aug. 28, Newsom, Senate President Pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) announced in a joint statement that they had reached agreement on the eviction protections bill, Assembly Bill 3088. The bill eliminates the possibility of eviction through Jan. 31, 2021, as long as the tenant “makes certain declarations and partial payments going forward,” the statement said. 

“Tenants are still responsible for repaying unpaid rent eventually, but it can never be the basis of an eviction,” the statement added. 

On Aug. 26, Los Angeles City Council President Martinez and Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District, co-introduced a motion, seconded by Councilman Herb Wesson, 10th District, to create a $10 million COVID-19 Emergency Eviction Defense Fund to provide free legal service to city of L.A. renters who receive an eviction notice. Before the state extended its eviction moratorium, landlords were expected to file cases to evict. 

“This City Council continues to do more than any other municipality in the country to protect renters during the COVID-19 pandemic,” O’Farrell said. “The $103 million Renter Assistance Program was a good start, and now we are ensuring that anyone who may be facing an unlawful eviction will have the necessary legal counsel, paid by the city, to help keep people in their homes during this crisis. I will continue my unwavering advocacy to provide even further relief from our state and federal lawmakers as we weather this storm.”

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