WebAlameda County remains on an island with a draconian eviction moratorium that may have made sense at the outset of the pandemic but makes little sense now. After the hearing, Protopappas said 20% of Madison Park tenants currently owe the corporation missed rent, compared to an average of under 1% before the pandemic. P.W. The stress has caused Tripti Jain major anxiety and emotional distress, including panic attacks, and causing her to require occasional medication to treat the effects of the stress and anxiety, the suit said. Sign up to be contacted about future rental assistance programs. Tenants who violated their lease for other reasons than nonpayment of rent are subject to eviction and not protected from the nonpayment of rent clause. At 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, Alameda Countys eviction moratorium expired. For more information on the Alameda County Eviction Moratorium, please visit theAlameda County Housing and Community Developmenthome page. How renters will be protected when Oaklands eviction ban ends in July City Hall Address Gavin Newsom 1021 O Street, Suite 9000 Sacramento, CA 95814 Subject: Emergency Request Assist Alameda County Board of Supervisors Dear Gov. Alameda County Housing Secure has referrals to agencies that can help you mediate that type of agreement. Q: Can I be evicted for"nofault,"suchas an owner move-in?A:No. endobj partnering The rest of California has modernized its tenant protections to reflect the societal progress that has been made. Letters: Lockdowns role | Reshaping charges | Reparations deserved | Reject dividers | Racist tropes Q: Can the landlord shut off my utilities?A:The City Council has barred landlords from shutting off utilities, except in case of an emergency or as part of an "essential activity" under the shelter-in-place order; and then, only for the shortest time necessary. ", Ann McClain told the council: "Three years have passed where rental property owners have been abused, rental owners are owed thousands individually and millions collectively.". Examples include increased health costs, added childcare or caring for a family member, or less work hours. To learn more about how we use your information, please read our privacy policy. Oakland and Alameda Countys eviction moratoriums are still in effect News about Californias eviction and rent relief programs has caused some confusion for local However, if a tenant violated their lease in another way, the landlord will be able to begin an eviction process.. But there have been lengthy delays and other problems with the distribution of those funds, and many households are still awaiting their payments. Williams, the duplex owner, got emotional talking with The Oaklandside, recounting how his 10-year tenant hasnt paid rent since the beginning of the pandemic and owes him $50,000. PW 05-19-26, RFP: Chuck Corica Golf Course Parking Lot Improvements, Preparation of Eng Docs for Upgrade of Sewer Pump Stations, Group 5, RFP for FY 2020 Sign & Striping Maintenance, PW No. Q: Are there any programs to help commercial tenants pay rent?A: While many assistance programs are no longer available, there are still business loans and grants available for eligible Alameda businesses. AC Housing Secure provides Alameda County residents with more information about the local eviction moratorium, rent and utilities relief resources for both tenants and landlords, and other housing assistance resources. If all unpaid rent is not paid by that date, the landlord may get a court judgment for the unpaid amount. Alameda County Housing Secure is a collaborative of legal service providers partnering to prevent the displacement of our vital community members throughout Alameda County. The over-income tenants need to help us by paying their rent.. In the meantime, we are deploying almost $5 million in emergency foreclosure prevention money to landlords, said Starratt. Q: Is there rent protection for commercial tenants?A:During COVID, commercial tenants had an eviction defense for unpaid rent that was due to a "substantial loss of income." Housing | Joining CAA will help you comply with laws and regulations that you need to understand for the protection of your rental housing business. The lawsuit says the policies have caused harm and financial challenges for small property owners like plaintiff John Williams, who ended up in the hospital from the stress of losing the $1,500 monthly rental income from a tenant in his West Oakland duplex and the fear of facing foreclosure. After the hearing, Andrew Zacks, a lawyer for the landlords, said he didnt believe policymakers would act to repeal the bans after two and a half years. In addition, free business counseling and technical assistance services are available to Alameda businesses from the following organizations: . WebSeptember 2022 Ending the Alameda County Eviction Moratorium Month: September 2022 The Homeless Problem in Alameda County is too big Eviction Moratorium 1 0 obj A survey of landlords (PDF) conducted by the Alameda County Community Development Agency this spring found that 67% of respondents said they would pursue an eviction after the moratorium expired. Alameda County Housing Secure advises that if you live in Oakland, Berkeley or San Leandro, to be safe, you should submit proof of your COVID-related loss of income or increase in expenses to your landlord in the form of pay stubs, bank statements, a letter from your employer, child care bills, or medical bills.. WebThe Alameda County Board of Supervisors has enacted a temporary moratorium on evictions countywide in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19 ) pandemic. If a tenant does not pay the minimum 25% of rent that is due by September 30, 2021, the tenant may be protected from eviction for the past due rent if they apply for rental assistance. J5T. Natalie lives in Oakland, grew up in Berkeley, and has only left her beloved East Bay once, to attend Pomona College. But when Alameda ended the countys public health emergency for COVID-19 on Feb. 28 (PDF), it also triggered the end of the moratorium. Your donation goes beyond supporting our journalism. The federal eviction moratorium was in place until August 2021, and the states eviction protections ended in June 2022. It also helps your family, friends and Oakland neighbors have access to reliable, independent reporting. Ask Amy: I put a security camera in my room, and what I saw was creepy, 'Total dominance': Steph Curry breaks NBA Game 7 record, leads Warriors over Kings, Ask Amy: My fiancee's family says I'm not invited, and she's going without me, Dear Abby: The reason her fiance hid his phone was something she never guessed, Harriette Cole: My friend's mom didn't recognize me at my job, and she was very rude, Kurtenbach: Game 7 is likely not win-or-go-home for the Warriors it's win-or-break-up, Warriors' Kerr reacts to Giannis' comments on success and failure: 'He's so right', Miss Manners: I don't want to hurt the bride, but I have qualms about the wedding, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. The CAA suit, filed in the U.S. District Court of Northern California, is brought by seven property owners in Alameda County, claiming the eviction moratorium is invalid, illegal, and unenforceable. It seeks an end to the moratorium and damages for the landlords. However, the moratorium ordinance provided that it would remain in place until 60 days after the lapsing of Alameda Countys COVID-19 health emergency. The policy was aimed at Qualifies for 1 Unit of CCRM Continuing Education Credit for current CCRM Certified Individuals. Any suspected fraud in connection with the Alameda County Housing Secure Program should be reported for immediate review. WebDespite making a persuasive case to lift the county's archaic eviction moratorium, the Board voted 3-2 to not discuss the recision or modification of the ordinance. OAKLAND Following the expiration of the statewide eviction moratorium, California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert reminding Californias tenants and homeowners of their rights and protections under California law. If you have more questions about conflicts in state and local law, please consult your own attorney. Up-to-date information can be found on theEast Bay EDA website. Most landlords are willing to help renters with genuine needs, but some tenants have been taking advantage of the ban. Her message: If you can pay your rent, you should pay it.. Click here to learn more. Starratt says that in an Alameda County community survey of landlords in fall 2022 and spring 2023, landlords reported that fully 50% of the rent thats owed is owed by tenants who are over-income meaning theyre higher than 80% of area median income. The 60-day countdown to expiration began February 28 and expires as of April 29, document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 600 more apartments at Brooklyn Basin? It could drop a bomb on rent control, Zinn said. I Still Have Questions About The City's Laws For renters. However, it doesnt mean that the states rental protections go away. Tenant group ACCE rallied outside the courthouse Thursday, opposing the attempt to undo the eviction moratoriums. Dear Abby: I have a great life, so why have I fallen into this shameful behavior? Watch our website navigation videos and get the most out of caanet.org! WebOn July 7, 2022, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch ordered all application denials immediately stop, and any rejected applications issued in the last 30 There are no stay-at-home orders, businesses are no longer closed. The 2022-23 budget included the $40 million base allocation for the EAF, as well as funding for specific uses, including $30 million for eviction protection and $15 million for consumer debt cases. x=ks]dJ J\vZ|DRQhC7PFT 4z;,n_gO7gX>o6no The protections were established by Alameda County in 2020 as a way to protect renters from the financial fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact Rico Fenix at the Alameda City Attorney's Office by phone at 510-747-4775 or by email atrfenix@alamedacityattorney.org. There has not been clear data on the number of renters whove missed payments locally, making it hard to determine the overall financial impact of the moratorium on landlords. The county followed on April 21 by passing its own moratorium. The legal protection from the financial distress declaration and paying 25% of the rent just means that tenants can't beevictedfor nonpayment of rent owed through September 30, 2021. A tenant not paying their rent is grounds for eviction, said Starratt in an interview with KQED. The Oakland City Council made a late-night decision Tuesday toward ending the city's moratorium on evictions. Although Californias eviction moratorium ended last month, many Alameda County tenants are still covered by a local ban that has ignited a growing fight between landlords and county officials. If you didnt pay your rent and used that money on other items, you could be faced with a court assigning your wages to the landlord in order for the landlord to get their back rent, warned Starratt. The suit marks the latest step toward dismantling COVID-19 protections for tenants, as health risks have diminished and many state and local programs and efforts Click here to learn. Housing | endobj This covers 100% of past rent owed on or after April 1, 2020. The Jains received aid from the Fremont relief fund for 12 months of rent, but the tenant is still at least $58,000 behind. He said he tried unsuccessfully to sell the building, his only rental property, but the prospective buyer only wanted it if the renters left. Even though her boyfriend lost income during the pandemic, Garcias household has been able to make rent payments, she said. Also, noticesdemanding rent must contain a notice of tenant rights and how to apply for rent relief. Thank you. The states most powerful landlord group, the California Apartment Association, on Thursday sued Alameda County to end its broad eviction moratorium. At the beginning, [the moratorium] was a no-brainer, to help the tenants impacted, Williams said. 10-20-38, Contract Documents for Traffic Signal Controller Cabinets, Contract Documents for Battery Backup System, Contract Documents for Traffic Signal Controllers, Contract Documents for Video Image Detection System, Notice of Funding Availability & Request for Proposals, Request for Proposals for On-Call Land Surveyor Services, Request for Proposals for Pest Control Services, RFP:Mechanical/HVAC Preventative Maintenance & Repair at City Faciliti, Request for Bids for Landscape Maintenance Services Various Locations, REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS/PROPOSALS FOR HEARING OFFICER SERVICES. 3 0 obj Although Alameda County no longer has an eviction on moratoriums, some cities within the county like Oakland and Berkeley maintain separate eviction policies. Q: What if I havent paid all or some of my rent since March 2020, how am I protected?A:There are steps residential tenants who had "financial distress" due to COVID-19 and were not able to pay all or some of their rent can take to prevent being evicted or to defer paying all of their rent. This means that tenants are expect to pay monthly rent on May 1, 2023. The Alameda County ban allows a few narrow exceptions, including for the health and safety of tenants and the removal of a property from the rental market. While the State of Californias Eviction Moratorium ends today, September 30, 2021, the Alameda County local eviction moratorium remains in effect. Members of the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) said in a statement they were very concerned about ending the moratorium. OAKLAND, Calif. (CN) A fight against an eviction ban in the San Francisco Bay Area county of Alameda has stumbled, after a federal judge denied Some local moratoria remained, but many of those have expired or are expiring soon. The only no" vote was for ending the moratorium even sooner. Click here for resources for tenants and property owners: ac-housingsecure.org. Dear Abby: Am I overreacting to my European daughter-in-law's behavior? Tenants with unpaid rents accumulated during the moratorium may not be evicted for such unpaid rents but landlords may still pursue unpaid rent in small claims court. Theyre also been calling on the county to reimburse them for loss of income. The Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) plays a lead role in the development of housing and programs to serve the county's low and moderate income households, homeless, and disabled populations. Financial assistance covers past due rent and utility bills, as well as future rent. He also noted that his tenant sued him for harassment and won the case this week, in the amount of $65,000. - The Oakland City Council early Wednesday morning made a decision toward ending the city's moratorium on evictions. OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland City Council early Wednesday morning made a decision toward ending the city's moratorium on evictions. The Alameda County eviction moratorium prohibits most evictions in Alameda County and will end 60 days after the Public Health Emergency Order ends. Alameda / Berkeley / Oakland. Sign up for our daily newsletter. Categories The Alameda County moratorium, enacted in March 2020, is one of the few surviving protections in the state. May 5, 2022 Whitney Prout CAA Legal and Compliance Counsel The California Apartment Association on Thursday filed a lawsuit in federal court against Alameda County, alleging that its eviction moratorium infringes on rental housing providers constitutional rights and violates state law. HCD maintains and expands housing opportunities for low--and moderate--income persons and families in the county by: Alameda County and Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley are launching Renew Alameda County, a home improvement loan assistance program designed to allow low-income homeowners to remain safely in their homes by providing rehabilitation and accessibility improvement services and loan financing to cover the associated costs. Our local governments took the steps needed to keep us safe, said ACCE lawyer Jackie Zaneri, calling the lawsuit a threat to all moratoriums everywhere. The case is very similar to the other actions that have failed thus far.. For resources available to tenants and landlords in Alameda County, including free legal services for lower-income tenants and homeowners, visit Alameda County Housing Secure. During a public comment period, more than 100 people addressed the council, including tenants, who said the council decision favors landlords. The Moratorium covers all commercial tenants/properties in the unincorporated area (Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, San Lorenzo, Fairview, Sunol and parts of East County). Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. As for Oakland, no changes, and its moratorium remains in place. The laws dont relieve tenants of their obligation to pay rent, but they say property owners cant evict them if they dont. Across Alameda County, rental housing providers remain prohibited from evicting a tenant for practically any reason. In legal documents, the landlord attorneys argued that the eviction policies allow even wealthy tenants who never lost income to avoid consequences for non-payment, while property owners are left with the burden of paying a mortgage and maintaining a premises for the benefit of those that can violate the lease and the law without fear of eviction.. For example, renters will still have until May 31, 2023 to pay all rent that came due during the covered period, in addition to other protections. WebSeptember 2022 Ending the Alameda County Eviction Moratorium Month: September 2022 The Homeless Problem in Alameda County is too big Eviction Moratorium wont solve the problem. The Alameda County eviction moratorium prohibits most evictions in Alameda County and will end 60 days after the Public Health Emergency Order ends. Alameda County landlords have felt stifled by the broad local protections, which have allowed some tenants to live rent-free even when they have not lost income or fallen ill to the virus. Phone Directory At this point, the best recourse for landlords is to go to small claims court to obtain the back rent owed from those tenants, said Starratt. However, state law contains explicit language preempting local control in this area. What an interesting case, Judge Laurel Beeler told lawyers Thursday morning, in a courtroom where about 20 property owners and tenant advocates observed quietly. COVID-19 protections and assistance for renters are being phased out across the state. Alameda County Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) seeks to create a pool of qualified consultants to perform special projects on an as needed basis. Housing | Tenants with lower income who have not paid their rent and who still have outstanding rent, even if they got some of it paid by rental assistance, need to come up with a payment plan with their landlord and identify some ways to start making payments, she said. Landlords sue Alameda County over eviction ban, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Total dominance: Steph Curry breaks NBA Game 7 record, leads Warriors over Kings, How renters will be protected when Oaklands eviction ban ends in July, In Oakland, its landlords who are unhappy with a plan to end eviction ban, California apartment vacancies near 2-year high as rents slip 3.5% from peak, Peninsula landlord charged with discriminating against family with young children, Letters: Lockdowns role | Reshaping charges | Reparations deserved | Reject dividers | Racist tropes. seq. Alameda County Temporary Commercial Eviction Moratorium. The Theres anywhere from $125 million to $300 million worth of outstanding rent thats owed in the county, said Starratt. (Download the declaration athttps://bit.ly/32W0XRp.). Were journalists for Oakland. He's won national awards for his investigations and feature stories. <>/Metadata 267 0 R/ViewerPreferences 268 0 R>> Q: Canthe landlord increase the rent?A:Rent levels for all controlled units (generally, all multi-family units built before February 1995) have been frozen during the emergency. The local and state COVID-19 emergency rent assistance programs still have funds available, and renters and landlords are encouraged to apply. Demand for Legal Aid Services. Note that regardless of the dates and even if you provided your landlord with a financial distress declaration, tenants must still pay all unpaid rent by May 31, 2023. Alameda County ended its moratorium on evictions Saturday, a policy it first put in place in March of 2020 in response to the pandemic. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until MON 5:00 AM PDT, San Francisco Bay Shoreline, High Stakes: Sports Betting in California. Im one of the lucky few, but so many people I know have been affected by eviction threats and illegal rent increases, Oakland tenant Annemarie Garcia told The Oaklandside. CAA helps members succeed by providing easy access to compliance information and forms, advocacy, and education. Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for Alameda Renters, City of Alameda Guaranteed Income Pilot Program, Business Associations & Improvement Areas, Notice to Contractors Special Provisions Proposal and Contract, Plans/Specs: Cyclic Sewer Replacement Project, Ph 16, No. A federal judge is expected to issue a decision soon about the legality of pandemic eviction bans meant to prevent homelessness. We amplify community voices, share information resources, and investigate systems, not just symptoms. The dashboard shows the total number of applications received, approved, and those still processing; corresponding financial assistance requested and received; average financial assistance paid to each household; and the total funds paid. Some local moratoria remained, but Until the Alameda County eviction moratorium expires, which is anticipated to be on April 29, 2023. However, we encourage tenants to regularly check the Alameda County Housing Secure website at ac-housingsecure.org for the most current information about the moratorium. Can I be evicted if I cant pay rent because of the COVID-19 pandemic? 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For their part, property owners say they plan to collect what theyre owed. You must give your landlord a financial distress declaration (download the declaration athttps://bit.ly/32W0XRp) every time you receive a notice to pay rent and are unable to pay. The council Zinn said it was not appropriate for lawyers or judges to determine when or how to draw the line on a pandemic policy, saying that should be left to legislators. Revitalizing low-income neighborhoods by installing sidewalks and public accessibility improvements, and by Supporters for ending the moratorium in July said they will give needed time to educate tenants and make legal referrals. Attorney Matthew Zinn said he couldnt answer that, but commented that the state and federal declarations of emergency are still in place. The policy was designed to end 60 days after the expiration of Alamedas COVID health emergency, which ended on February 28th. (The tenant cant be evicted for failing to pay a late fee.). Alameda Countys eviction moratorium expired, What you need to know if youre an Alameda County renter, Alameda ended the countys public health emergency for COVID-19 on Feb. 28 (PDF), you should submit proof of your COVID-related loss of income. The Alameda County moratorium, enacted in March 2020, is one of the few surviving protections in the state. 02-20-13, FY 2020-23 On-Call Striping and Signage Contract, RFP: Cleaning & Maintenance of Park Street, Webster & Marina Village, Specs/Plans: Alameda Shoreline Park Pathway Lighting, P.W.No. Housing | WebThe Alameda County eviction moratorium ended on April 29, 2023, but you may still have important protections from eviction. A judge could kick that part of our [Alameda County] ordinance out. California Apartment Association980 Ninth Street, Suite 1430Sacramento, CA 95814, toll free: 800-967-4222 fax: 877-999-7881 membership@caanet.org. %PDF-1.7 This program is funded by the voter-approved Measure A1 Affordable Housing Bond. For months, property owners have railed against the moratorium and accused tenants of taking advantage of the moratorium to case paying rent for reasons unrelated to COVID. In Oakland, its landlords who are unhappy with a plan to end eviction ban Fifty-seven percent said they would pursue rent debt through small claims court. The landlords in the suit describe loss of income and financial hardships because they have been unable to displace their tenants. Alameda County ended its moratorium on evictions Saturday, a policy it first put in place in March of 2020 in response to the pandemic. This means that starting Sunday, April 30, tens of thousands of Alameda County residents must pay rent for the first time in three years. Los Angeles Countys protections expired on March 31, 2023, and Alameda Countys are set to expire at the end of April Rents for this period are subject to the eviction protections described above. The program will continue to process qualifying applications but the application portal closed on May 13, 2022 at 11:59pm. 02-22-05. The City recommends tenants give this notice whenever they can't pay the full rent, even if they haven't received a pay-or-quit notice. Lawyers for Oakland and Alameda County warned the judge that a ruling accepting the landlords legal interpretation could have widespread and unintended consequences for other, unrelated housing laws. We have received more requests than we currently have funds available. But nearly $5 million in funding is just a drop in the bucket if we have over $300 million worth of outstanding rent and half of that is for over-income tenants. 2263 Santa Clara Avenue Housing Providers of America was incorporated early this year by John Protopappas, a prominent local developer and CEO of Madison Park Financial, which owns numerous rental properties in Oakland and elsewhere. Rents for September 1, 2020 - September 30, 2021: 75% of these months' total rent can be converted to "consumer debt" if you have given your landlord a "financial distress" declaration (see above), but you must pay at least the remaining 25% of that total by September 30, 2021. Oakland and Alameda County eviction moratorium policies still provide a double layer of protection to most local renters. Under Oaklands moratorium, renters who are protected by the citys Just Cause for Eviction policywhich typically applies to all buildings constructed before 1996 can only be evicted in very rare cases. They have to evict you for a different reason., But she also cautioned that tenants shouldnt exclusively focus on this particular aspect, because theres going to be cases in court where someone will file an appeal on that and that the law around this is going to be fast moving and quickly changing., We really dont know what the end result is going to be, Starratt said. In an attempt to relieve renters debts and ensure property owners get paid during the crisis, Oakland and Alameda County have doled out millions of dollars in state and federal rent relief money. To learn more or apply, go to RenewAC.org, or contact Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley at (510) 803-3388 or HomeRepair@HabitatEBSC.org. Click here(PDF,239KB)to download a PDF of this FAQ. Alameda Countys moratorium which applies in both unincorporated areas and within cities in the county currently bans all evictions except those necessary to either address an imminent threat to health or safety, comply with a government order, or remove rental units from the market under the Ellis Act. Serving the needs of the homeless community as the lead agency in the countywide homeless collaborative and The policies, considered some of the strongest pandemic tenant protections in the country, were intended to give renters housing security and prevent a rise in homelessness as large populations of renters faced job loss and increased childcare duties.

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