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LA City Council Sets Jan. 31 End Date For COVID-19 Eviction Protections
A sign at an Aug. 2020 protest in L.A.
(
Valerie Macon
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
Topline:
The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to extend the city’s COVID-19 eviction protections until the end of January. The decision will wind down safeguards for renters that have been in place since March 2020.
Why this matters: Under the current pandemic-era rules, tens of thousands of L.A. renters have been able to stay housed after falling behind on rent due to pandemic-related layoffs or loss of income.
Landlords have long called for ending the regulations, saying missed rent payments have hurt their bottom line. Some housing experts worry that lifting the eviction protections will put further stress on the region's housing crisis and could cause an increase in homelessness.
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What's happening elsewhere: Renters in the L.A. area have benefited from some of the longest lasting eviction protections nationwide. L.A. County set its end date for eviction protections for Dec. 31 — those apply countywide except in places like the city of L.A., where stronger eviction rules are in place. In many other parts of the state, protections are no longer in place.
What happens next: The city council has decided on some key deadlines:
- Beginning in February, tenants can be evicted for not paying rent.
- Tenants will have to start repaying pandemic rent debt on Aug. 1, 2023.
- Starting in Feb. 2024, landlords in the city of L.A. will once again be able to raise rents in rent-controlled apartments.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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