California Legislature Extends COVID Eviction Moratorium for 2 More Months – Times of San Diego
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis signed into law Thursday a quickly passed bill to extend COVID eviction protections for two more months until June 30.
Kounalakis, who is acting Governor while Gavin Newsom and his family are on vacation for two weeks in Central and South America, became the first woman in California’s history to sign a bill into law.
“California’s nation-leading rent relief program has provided much needed relief for more than 220,000 households across the state. Today’s action will provide additional time to thousands more who are in the process of acquiring emergency relief,” said Kounalakis.
Assembly Bill B 2179 by Assemblymembers Tim Grayson of Concord and Buffy Wicks of Oakland extends eviction protections for tenants who have applied for state or local rental assistance programs by the end of business on Thursday.
“AB 2179 protects eligible renters who signed up for relief funds before the March 31 deadline,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins of San Diego. “While we know there are many ongoing issues regarding rent, tenants, landlords, and localities, we made a commitment to act on behalf of those who were in line for this relief, and that’s why AB 2179 passed so quickly with such strong support.”
The legislation was approved in the Assembly on Monday and Senate on Thursday.
California’s $5.5 billion COVID rent relief program is the largest state effort in the country and covers 100% of past-due rent payments for qualified low-income Californians. Tenants can access rental funds directly if their landlord chooses not to participate, and landlords can receive compensation even if their otherwise income-qualified tenants have already vacated a unit.
