This letter written by Housing Now! has
widespread support from progressive leaders and organizations throughout the
state. GPAHG hasn't yet taken a stand supporting this letter, but I am supportive of much of it. My main qualm is about rent suspension: it is an idea worth considering but probably wouldn't stand up in court. A more pragmatic and feasible approach would be to give people subsidies and/or several years to repay missed rent payments. If the crisis turns into a Great Depression and 30% of people are out of work for an extended period of time, it may be necessary to consider rent suspension. See LA TIMES real eviction moratorum .
Dear Governor Newsom:
While we appreciate the intent and the declarations in your recent
executive order, we feel that there are both problems and limitations to it
that do not rise to the level of action needed to protect both homeowners and
renters and help stop the coronavirus from exacerbating California's housing
crisis. With regards to renters, the current order only encourages an
ineffective patchwork of approaches across the state. The ensuing confusion
from the myriad levels of city and county protections exposes renters to the
dangers of appearing in crowded courthouses, and many renters will have a
difficult time providing the required documented loss of income described in
the executive order. We need simple, effective solutions that apply to all
Californians equally.
Californians take care of each other. In moments of crisis,
Californians know how to pull together. Whether helping our neighbors during an
earthquake or opening our homes during a wildfire, we show up for one another.
We know that our families and neighborhoods are stronger, safer, and healthier
when we show up and represent for one another in moments of illness and crisis.
No matter what we look like, where we live, or what's in our
wallets, getting sick reminds us that we're all human and that we’re all
interconnected. But today, as you know, due to the lack of preparation by the
Trump administration, which has been putting the interests of Wall Street above
the needs of people, most of us do not have access to the testing, vaccines,
and treatment we need to get and stay well.
We must stand with and for each other, against anything used to
divide us, to demand the care and paid time off every one of us needs, no
exceptions. Only by standing united can we rewrite the rules to ensure better
health for all.
In light of this public health crisis, when it’s imperative that
families be stably housed, we call on you, Governor Newsom, to enact the
following measures for as long as Californians are substantially affected by
COVID-19:
1. An
Immediate Moratorium on Rent Increases, All Evictions, Foreclosures &
Cease Executing Writs of Possession - We need an immediate
statewide ban on rent Increases, evictions and foreclosures and cease executing
writs of possession. The need to protect residents that live paycheck to
paycheck from the economic fallout of this virus includes protecting them
against facing price gouging, eviction and homelessness. Rent increases, even
minimal ones, during this time is tantamount to price gouging given the
potential for lost wages, and would make renters more vulnerable to evictions. Eviction and foreclosure
would only further spread this virus and make its containment harder because
people would not have a home to care for the health, safety and welfare of
their families. In addition, forcing renters to defend themselves in crowded
eviction courts at this time is directly at odds with government guidance
emphasizing the critical importance of social distancing to contain the spread
of the virus. We request the governor immediately direct all County and City
Marshals and Sheriffs to cease executing writs of possession until further
notice. We applaud the included request in your executive order for financial
institutions to implement a moratorium on foreclosures.
2. Moratorium on Encampments Sweeps, Closure and Vehicle Tows - We support Western
Regional Advocacy Project's call to end the enforcement/displacement actions
against encampments of the unhoused during this crisis due to the necessity for
sustained public health outreach and disease control as has been done in cities
such as San Jose. Sweeps pose a serious health risk as they disrupt consistent
access to services and ability for outreach and health workers to provide
continuous care. These services are critical at this time. Shelters are not a
solution for many people as they pose an increased risk of contracting
illnesses due to close contact with others. Many will choose to stay on the
streets where one can have more space, open air, and better ways to avoid
contact spread of the virus. Forcing people to live in close quarters is not an
acceptable solution. We also support the increased urgency to allow placement
of unhoused community members in safe, sanitary places where they can maintain
their social networks and personal belongings. The state should also provide
rental assistance to people experiencing homelessness since the only way for
someone to stabilize, remain healthy, and prevent exposure is in a home.
3. Emergency
Rental or Mortgage Assistance - We must provide support for workers
who have to forgo work at no fault of their own due to the coronavirus
outbreak. Government should step in by providing emergency rental or mortgage
assistance to “backfill” a substantial share of any income lost to any worker
during this crisis, whether or not they become sick themselves, and regardless
of classification as an employee or contractor. This also encourages workers to
stay home when sick rather than risking spread of the virus by continuing to work to prevent income loss. We suggest this is done via a sliding scale so that
4. Suspension of rents and mortgages- The state must call on banks and lenders to suspend
mortgages providing financial relief for homeowners and landlords, including
supporting non-profit housing providers to remain sustainable, and, in turn,
all of their tenants. Mortgages and rents should be suspended and forgiven
immediately (April 1st, 2020 at the latest) and continuing for the duration of
this crisis, including a recovery period after the state of emergency is
lifted. Mortgages shouldn't be accruing interest either. Even before this
crisis, millions of Californians were already severely rent burdened, living
paycheck to paycheck, and on the brink of eviction and homelessness. With no
current plan in place for Californians with no paid leave, no savings, no job
security and being laid off as we speak, the recommended public health social
distancing measures are, at best, delayed de facto eviction orders. Even
temporary foreclosure and eviction moratoriums will require homeowners and
renters to pay back, what may become, insurmountable debts. We can't afford
these interconnected economic and health crises! The only holistic solution
that will actually protect renters and homeowners alike is to suspend and
forgive mortgage and rental payments now, the way that France has.
5. Prohibit
Utility Shut-Offs and Rate Increases, Halt Application of Late Fees, and
Reinstitute Services Immediately- Widespread loss of income will cause some of the most
vulnerable individuals and families to fall behind on payments for basic
services including water, gas, internet, phone service and electricity. All
public and private utilities and service providers should be prohibited from
shutting off service, increasing rates, or applying late fees during the public
health crisis. Shutting off utilities will increase suffering and economic
instability while also undermining public health goals by preventing
appropriate sanitation and dislocating people from homes. Accordingly, all
public and private utilities doing business in the state should halt all utility shut-offs and related fees during this crisis.
We applaud the action recently taken by the CPUC to halt customer
disconnections for non-payment, and we hope that your office can encourage
utility companies and service providers outside of their jurisdiction to follow
suit.
As organizations representing Californians affected daily by our
housing stability and homelessness crisis, we agree with these measures and
sign in support. Tenants and homeowners across California need answers before
April 1st to ensure stability for millions of families. We are prepared to take
collective action to protect ourselves in this moment of crisis.
Governor Newsom, help us stop the coronavirus from exacerbating
California's housing crisis!
Respectfully,
Housing Now!- Sponsor
West Hollywood
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