1 20-0316 Subject: Eviction Moratorium Emergency Ordinance
From: Councilmember Bas, President Pro Tempore Kalb, And City Attorney Parker
Recommendation: Adopt An Emergency Ordinance (1) Imposing A Moratorium On Residential Evictions, Rent Increase, And Late Fees During The Local Emergency Proclaimed In Response To The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic; (2) Prohibiting Residential And Commercial Evictions Based On Nonpayment Of Rent That Became Due During The Local Emergency When Tenant Suffered A Substantial Loss Of Income Due To COVID-19; (3) Prohibiting Residential Evictions For Non-Payment Of Rent When The Landlord Impeded The Payment Of Rent; And (4) Calling On State And Federal Legislators And On Financial Institutions To Provide Relief To Low-income Homeowners And Landlords
Please support this ordinance! So many people are struggling even more than usual with meeting their daily needs during this pandemic. Having housing is so important for people to maintain their health and have the stability to continue with other life obligations like work (whether paid or not), school, etc.
I am a District 6 resident and I am a Senior, Owner Occupant of a 4Plex with well below markets rents. I support the moratorium on evictions and rent relief during this pandemic with the exception of the portion of provision that states " the rent shall become a consumer debt and may be collected as any other debt owed but not through the unlawful detainer process". This is a very biased proposal in favor of tenants as are all the recently passed ordinances. We are all being impacted financially in some way by COVID-19. Where are the considerations for property owners who can't pay their obligations? This provision in the proposed ordinance puts another unnecessary burden on property owners and would leave room for abuses of non-payment of rent. Is it beyond reason for the City to consider establishing a relief fund for tenants and property owners who can prove hardship? At minimum please follow Governor Newsom's state of Emergency Executive Order. Please remove this provision.
I'm an Oakland homeowner and D2 voter, and know that we as a community are ALL better off when Oaklanders can stay in their homes, especially during a public health crisis like this one. I urge you to support this measure!
I urge you to support this measure. Many of my close friends have either lost their jobs or had their hours cut recently. This will offer time for many to adjust to a new world after the pain that this pandemic has caused, and keep many of our residents in the homes they deserve.
I urge you to support this! We must stop any and all evictions of people to ensure the health and safety of everyone in our community. Many banks are waiving mortgage payments this month and the next. It is only fair renters get protections as well.
Hi, West Oakland resident here to call on City Council to support this moratorium on evictions - including part 2's crucial prohibition of related future evictions as well. In my 5-roommate household, 3 of us have lost jobs permanently or temporarily (food service and educational work). As a food service worker, I don't know when it will be safe to return to work, let alone when my employer will re-open business. As an independent contractor doing food delivery, I don't qualify for unemployment. Fortunately I have just enough saved where I am not choosing between rent and food and emergency health needs savings. But if the shelter in place continues I'd have to make that choice soon, as I know so so many people, especially families with children, are already forced to do.
I'm also concerned that, without a moratorium, many people will need to work even if sick, thus putting all of us in danger.
Oakland needs this moratorium! Please follow all other major CA cities and pass it.
If the ability of a citizen to earn capital has been legally halted, so must the requirements to furnish it to land and lease holders. Housing is an investment and as such is a risk, and that risk have borne out and it’s profits are forfeit. People must have housing even when the capital stops moving, it must be legally protected from the obligation to move.
My household has lost half our income due to the pandemic, so we are no longer able to afford rent. Suspending rents, rent-increases, late fees and evictions is a pragmatic thing the council can do now to reduce the terror of this pandemic and enable people to stay home, and decrease the overall loss of life due to the pandemic. People who are concerned about land owners will be glad to see the willingness of the council to use their power to advocate for state and federal action is also to relieve mortgage (and rent) debt. Renters are immediately and gravely vulnerable, so I invite small landlords to pitch in by focusing on fighting the banks rather than the renters.
I am a homeowner and support this agenda item. An incredible number of my neighbors and friends have seen drastic decreases or complete stoppage to income due to COVID-19. They shouldn't have to be worried about being thrown out onto the streets, let alone during a pandemic when the houseless population is so vulnerable to getting sick. High rents have already pushed so many community members both to the streets and out of Oakland, countless more will follow without a moratorium on evictions and further rent relief. I urge you to vote yes without delay to support public health and the future of Oakland well beyond Covid-19.
As a public health nurse serving the most vulnerable of our communities, I witness first-hand the undeniable challenges of economic and housing instability in our city. I implore the City Council to pass this ordinance for the safety and well-being of these same communities who you serve as well. It is the only humane and just thing to do in this time of ever growing public health crisis. Do not let it be part of history that we contributed to the crisis by neglecting what the people need most. The health and safety of our communities is paramount. Pass this ordinance to avoid an even deeper crisis.
As an Oakland resident for 12 years and an Oakland property owner for 11 of those years, I support the public health moratorium on residential evictions. This is a historic, (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime crisis. Today's unemployment numbers give us a sense of how dire things are right now. CA had almost 187,000 unemployment filings last week alone, more than 5x the amount from the same week last year. If we don't provide this emergency relief, Oakland will screech to a halt and many folks will be left homeless. Please stand up for Oakland families hit hard by this crisis.
Thank you Councilmembers Bas and Kalb for proposing this moratorium. I am a former teacher and current instructional coach supporting public school teachers. We are hearing from our students and their families that they are incredibly anxious about meeting rent and basic necessities. In many cases this anxiety is interfering with their ability to focus on any the distance learning efforts, as well as jeopardizing their ability to continue their phone service, which for many is the primary way that they are accessing curriculum as well connecting with their friends and even teachers. It is critical for this and so many other reasons that we pass the moratorium for the health and safety of our community. Thank you.
I am a District 2 resident and work at a Chinatown-based non-profit. I support this proposal and urge City Council to adopt the strongest possible protections for renters. A spike in homelessness cause an astronomical increase in the risk of transmission, which is still a relevant fact even after COVID-19 is put under control. Additionally, many of the renters at risk of displacement are “essential workers” who are vital in getting the community through this pandemic. Your actions now are not only imperative to the current pandemic, but also an investment in keeping Oakland’s working class in Oakland. These people will be vital to have in this community if another public health crisis were occur. Please pass this moratorium without any dilution of protections against unnecessary, widespread, and exploitative evictions.
Strongly Support!
If the Oakland City Council cares at all for the safety of its constituents it will pass this measure. A blanket rent freeze is what is needed and anything less than that is an act of violence against the safety of our communities.
We will either look back at this moment and feel a familiar shame from not being able to do the right thing or we will look back and feel an immense pride that the Oakland City Council did all that it could for all its people.
Will the Oakland City Council serve economic abstracts or will it serve real living humans who have chosen you as our leaders and protectors?
I know you are all capable of taking this great act and I look forward to celebrating the Councils bravery. We need you not to be fearful.
I am a lifelong Oakland resident strongly supporting the Moratorium. It is vital to support our vulnerable tenants and renters during and after the COVID crisis. Eviction during this time is a huge health risk, and no residents should live in fear of losing their housing security at this time. Such action will make Oakland a stronger city in the short term as well as long term.
I support the Eviction Moratorium. It's too many things that has been ignored and overlooked. We have single family households, elderly, and disabled that have little to No support. There is a homeless crisis that we see on a day to day basis and it isn't getting any better. We need all the support we can get. We never know that one day this could be us. If we fail as a city then what do we have to stand for, who do we have to call on? No one deserves to be without housing especially at a time where our jobs and careers are facing uncertainties of our future due to something so devasting with the knowledge of knowing there's nothing you can do but hope and pray that this will soon be over. We need each other at this time not as individuals but as ONE Big Community. We don't have to know each other all we need from one another is the support, love, dedication and commitment.
I support the Eviction Moratorium. It's too many things that has been ignored and overlooked. We have single family households, elderly, and disabled that have little to No support. There is a homeless crisis that we see on a day to day basis and it isn't getting any better. We need all the support we can get. We never know that one day this could be us. If we fail as a city then what do we have to stand for, who do we have to call on? No one deserves to be without housing especially at a time where our jobs and careers are facing uncertainties of our future due to something so devasting with the knowledge of knowing there's nothing you can do but hope and pray that this will soon be over. We need each other at this time not as individuals but as ONE Big Community. We don't have to know each other all we need from one another is the support, love, dedication and commitment.
Support
Please support this ordinance! So many people are struggling even more than usual with meeting their daily needs during this pandemic. Having housing is so important for people to maintain their health and have the stability to continue with other life obligations like work (whether paid or not), school, etc.
I am a District 6 resident and I am a Senior, Owner Occupant of a 4Plex with well below markets rents. I support the moratorium on evictions and rent relief during this pandemic with the exception of the portion of provision that states " the rent shall become a consumer debt and may be collected as any other debt owed but not through the unlawful detainer process". This is a very biased proposal in favor of tenants as are all the recently passed ordinances. We are all being impacted financially in some way by COVID-19. Where are the considerations for property owners who can't pay their obligations? This provision in the proposed ordinance puts another unnecessary burden on property owners and would leave room for abuses of non-payment of rent. Is it beyond reason for the City to consider establishing a relief fund for tenants and property owners who can prove hardship? At minimum please follow Governor Newsom's state of Emergency Executive Order. Please remove this provision.
I'm an Oakland homeowner and D2 voter, and know that we as a community are ALL better off when Oaklanders can stay in their homes, especially during a public health crisis like this one. I urge you to support this measure!
Please prevent this pandemic from wiping out the social fabric of Oakland by forcing independent businesses or artists out.
I urge you to support this measure. Many of my close friends have either lost their jobs or had their hours cut recently. This will offer time for many to adjust to a new world after the pain that this pandemic has caused, and keep many of our residents in the homes they deserve.
I urge you to support this! We must stop any and all evictions of people to ensure the health and safety of everyone in our community. Many banks are waiving mortgage payments this month and the next. It is only fair renters get protections as well.
Hi, West Oakland resident here to call on City Council to support this moratorium on evictions - including part 2's crucial prohibition of related future evictions as well. In my 5-roommate household, 3 of us have lost jobs permanently or temporarily (food service and educational work). As a food service worker, I don't know when it will be safe to return to work, let alone when my employer will re-open business. As an independent contractor doing food delivery, I don't qualify for unemployment. Fortunately I have just enough saved where I am not choosing between rent and food and emergency health needs savings. But if the shelter in place continues I'd have to make that choice soon, as I know so so many people, especially families with children, are already forced to do.
I'm also concerned that, without a moratorium, many people will need to work even if sick, thus putting all of us in danger.
Oakland needs this moratorium! Please follow all other major CA cities and pass it.
If the ability of a citizen to earn capital has been legally halted, so must the requirements to furnish it to land and lease holders. Housing is an investment and as such is a risk, and that risk have borne out and it’s profits are forfeit. People must have housing even when the capital stops moving, it must be legally protected from the obligation to move.
My household has lost half our income due to the pandemic, so we are no longer able to afford rent. Suspending rents, rent-increases, late fees and evictions is a pragmatic thing the council can do now to reduce the terror of this pandemic and enable people to stay home, and decrease the overall loss of life due to the pandemic. People who are concerned about land owners will be glad to see the willingness of the council to use their power to advocate for state and federal action is also to relieve mortgage (and rent) debt. Renters are immediately and gravely vulnerable, so I invite small landlords to pitch in by focusing on fighting the banks rather than the renters.
I am a homeowner and support this agenda item. An incredible number of my neighbors and friends have seen drastic decreases or complete stoppage to income due to COVID-19. They shouldn't have to be worried about being thrown out onto the streets, let alone during a pandemic when the houseless population is so vulnerable to getting sick. High rents have already pushed so many community members both to the streets and out of Oakland, countless more will follow without a moratorium on evictions and further rent relief. I urge you to vote yes without delay to support public health and the future of Oakland well beyond Covid-19.
In addition to a moratorium on evictions we need to suspend all rent and mortgage payments until shelter in place orders are lifted.
As a public health nurse serving the most vulnerable of our communities, I witness first-hand the undeniable challenges of economic and housing instability in our city. I implore the City Council to pass this ordinance for the safety and well-being of these same communities who you serve as well. It is the only humane and just thing to do in this time of ever growing public health crisis. Do not let it be part of history that we contributed to the crisis by neglecting what the people need most. The health and safety of our communities is paramount. Pass this ordinance to avoid an even deeper crisis.
As an Oakland resident for 12 years and an Oakland property owner for 11 of those years, I support the public health moratorium on residential evictions. This is a historic, (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime crisis. Today's unemployment numbers give us a sense of how dire things are right now. CA had almost 187,000 unemployment filings last week alone, more than 5x the amount from the same week last year. If we don't provide this emergency relief, Oakland will screech to a halt and many folks will be left homeless. Please stand up for Oakland families hit hard by this crisis.
Thank you Councilmembers Bas and Kalb for proposing this moratorium. I am a former teacher and current instructional coach supporting public school teachers. We are hearing from our students and their families that they are incredibly anxious about meeting rent and basic necessities. In many cases this anxiety is interfering with their ability to focus on any the distance learning efforts, as well as jeopardizing their ability to continue their phone service, which for many is the primary way that they are accessing curriculum as well connecting with their friends and even teachers. It is critical for this and so many other reasons that we pass the moratorium for the health and safety of our community. Thank you.
I am a District 2 resident and work at a Chinatown-based non-profit. I support this proposal and urge City Council to adopt the strongest possible protections for renters. A spike in homelessness cause an astronomical increase in the risk of transmission, which is still a relevant fact even after COVID-19 is put under control. Additionally, many of the renters at risk of displacement are “essential workers” who are vital in getting the community through this pandemic. Your actions now are not only imperative to the current pandemic, but also an investment in keeping Oakland’s working class in Oakland. These people will be vital to have in this community if another public health crisis were occur. Please pass this moratorium without any dilution of protections against unnecessary, widespread, and exploitative evictions.
Strongly Support!
If the Oakland City Council cares at all for the safety of its constituents it will pass this measure. A blanket rent freeze is what is needed and anything less than that is an act of violence against the safety of our communities.
We will either look back at this moment and feel a familiar shame from not being able to do the right thing or we will look back and feel an immense pride that the Oakland City Council did all that it could for all its people.
Will the Oakland City Council serve economic abstracts or will it serve real living humans who have chosen you as our leaders and protectors?
I know you are all capable of taking this great act and I look forward to celebrating the Councils bravery. We need you not to be fearful.
I am a lifelong Oakland resident strongly supporting the Moratorium. It is vital to support our vulnerable tenants and renters during and after the COVID crisis. Eviction during this time is a huge health risk, and no residents should live in fear of losing their housing security at this time. Such action will make Oakland a stronger city in the short term as well as long term.
I support the Eviction Moratorium. It's too many things that has been ignored and overlooked. We have single family households, elderly, and disabled that have little to No support. There is a homeless crisis that we see on a day to day basis and it isn't getting any better. We need all the support we can get. We never know that one day this could be us. If we fail as a city then what do we have to stand for, who do we have to call on? No one deserves to be without housing especially at a time where our jobs and careers are facing uncertainties of our future due to something so devasting with the knowledge of knowing there's nothing you can do but hope and pray that this will soon be over. We need each other at this time not as individuals but as ONE Big Community. We don't have to know each other all we need from one another is the support, love, dedication and commitment.
Let's Go Oakland
I support the Eviction Moratorium. It's too many things that has been ignored and overlooked. We have single family households, elderly, and disabled that have little to No support. There is a homeless crisis that we see on a day to day basis and it isn't getting any better. We need all the support we can get. We never know that one day this could be us. If we fail as a city then what do we have to stand for, who do we have to call on? No one deserves to be without housing especially at a time where our jobs and careers are facing uncertainties of our future due to something so devasting with the knowledge of knowing there's nothing you can do but hope and pray that this will soon be over. We need each other at this time not as individuals but as ONE Big Community. We don't have to know each other all we need from one another is the support, love, dedication and commitment.
Let's Go Oakland