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Down To The Wire For Eviction Bill In Sacramento
Graffiti on a wall on La Brea Ave. in May amid the Covid-19 pandemic. (Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images)
A bill to stop a feared wave of evictions is making its way through the California legislature today, the final day of the legislative session. The bill passed the state Senate early this afternoon, and the Assembly should vote on it later in the evening. It needs a two-thirds majority to take effect immediately. Gov. Gavin Newsom has promised to sign AB 3088 if it passes.
The bill is a compromise measure and has attracted criticism from tenant groups and tepid support from the landlord lobby. But that may be enough. Some key details:
- This bill would protect tenants from eviction if they’re behind on rent from March through August, and if they sign paperwork declaring they've lost income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Going forward, they’ll need to pay at least 25% of their rent through January 2021.
- Starting later this week, landlords will be able to evict tenants for reasons not related to rent.
- Even if it passes, supporters say this is a temporary measure they’ll need to revisit early next year.
And if it doesn’t pass the Assembly? A report out today says 40,000 households here in L.A. County already facing eviction proceedings.
MORE ON EVICTIONS AND HOUSING:
- Bill To Delay 'Literally Millions Of Evictions' Announced In Sacramento
- Deceit, Disrepair and Death Inside a Southern California Rental Empire
- When 'Safer At Home' Comes At A Risk. Health Hazards Lurk For Some Low-Income Renters
- Chronically Ill And Facing Eviction During A Pandemic
- LAist Reader Pledges To Pay Rent Of Mother Facing Eviction
- Read The Letters SoCal Landlords Are Sending As Rent Comes Due In This Pandemic
- Landlord Demands ‘100%’ Of Stimulus Money For Back Rent; Later Says It’s Misunderstanding
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