Helping protect vulnerable families from eviction

CALIFORNIA—Our state is in the midst of a housing crisis decades in the making, and this crisis did not go away when the current global health crisis began.

The need to build more housing – particularly housing that is affordable for working Californians – is urgent. However, families should not be forced to suffer while we work toward the ultimate goal of increasing our housing supply and building our way out of this crisis. So we must do more to help those who rent their homes.

Last year, we made significant strides in helping keep Californians in their homes by passing a bill I joint-authored, AB 1482, which provided roughly 8 million renters with just cause eviction and rent gouging protections. It’s become more important than ever during this pandemic that we work to protect people from evictions and help keep a stable roof over their heads – especially when the health and safety of our communities depends on people’s abilities to stay home.

Job losses

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, nearly a million renter households in our state have experienced a job loss. This makes them them especially vulnerable to eviction and, consequently, makes small landlords more likely to struggle with mortgage payments due to missed rent payments.

In March, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that placed a moratorium on evictions. He has subsequently extended it twice. California’s Judicial Council also issued an eviction moratorium until Sept. 1. The expiration of these orders created a looming eviction cliff with the potential to throw millions of families into catastrophe. This is why I was proud to support and help pass AB 3088, an emergency stop-gap measure to protect tenants.

Newsom signed AB 3088, and it has already taken effect to protect renters financially impacted by COVID-19 from evictions through January 2021 as long as they have paid at least a quarter of their rent due. In order to access these protections, renters need to submit a form affirming that they have a COVID-related hardship within the first 15 days of each month.

The new law also extends foreclosure protections for small landlords who have tenants that are unable to pay rent due.

Not a panacea

This bill is not a panacea, and I am committed to continuing work on long-term solutions for California’s renters and impacted landlords. This bill was, however, absolutely necessary. According to a study by the Aspen Institute, if the Legislature had not acted when it did, nearly 4 million Californians would have faced eviction by the end of this month. That is a reality I could not let our community face.

If you are struggling to pay rent or make your mortgage payments, please do not hesitate to contact my Concord office at 925-521-1511 to learn about what resources may be available to you. Whether it be issues related to eviction, unemployment assistance, or other state programs and agencies, my staff and I are here to help you.

Please stay healthy and safe during these difficult times and know that my office is here as a resource for you.

Reach Assemblyman Tim Grayson at (925) 521-1511. Visit or write the district office 2151 Salvio Street, Suite P, Concord, CA 94520