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
I strongly support the Eviction Moratorium Emergency Ordinance. As a long time resident of Oakland, I know that this is what our communities need to survive. Do the right thing and pass this ordinance.
I hope this not only passes but that it is extended until several months after the quarantine is lifted. I would like you to take into consideration that it will take time to be able to earn the extra money to make up for the loss of wages while unable to work during the shelter in place, as well as possibly earning less money than before because people are not going to be going out and spending money because they will be trying to save money to be able to pay for back rent. Thank you! -Jennifer Freesia
Thank you Councilmember Fortunato Bas for your leadership on this issue as Governor Newsom's directive was confusing. We need to take the lead in Oakland to keep people in our homes. To stop the pandemic, people must HAVE homes to Shelter-in-Place. Many Oaklanders are also experiencing unprecedented income loss. Please pass this moratorium on evictions and rent increases with NO LOOPHOLES. Often when we pass such policies, we exclude newer construction and single-family homes as if those tenants are less vulnerable or those landlords need special treatment. Take swift action to pass this policy to protect ALL tenants! Thank you -Beth
Please approve this item! This will help so many of our residents stay afloat during this time. If citizens are able to stay in their homes this will help us flatten the curve & get through this crisis. Many citizens who are able to survive in the Bay Area with current housing costs will not be able to do so for long with a lack of income & bills still coming in. Thank you for putting this on the table. Very proud of what Oakland has done so far.
The economic outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic is going to have resounding impacts for generations. This is a moment for governments at all levels to either consolidate wealth among the already wealthy, ignoring the disproportionate outcomes of this virus on our society based on access to food, shelter, and care; or to support and uphold the dignity of all the workers it's become so painfully clear are truly holding our society together. All long-term debts like mortgages must be suspended so working class families are not threatened with losing their homes or facing lifetimes of debt; and small property owners can forgive rental payments without incurring substantial economic strain on themselves. The federal government has repeatedly proven that in this time of crisis it prioritizes not the suffering public, but the country's most profitable private industries. It is more urgent than ever to support Oaklanders' economic stability, health, and safety for the long-term.
As an Oakland homeowner and landlord, I strongly support this humane and common sense measure to support our communities reeling from the cascading economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. During this time, we must act with compassion and urgency. We need a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, suspension of rents, mortgages and late fees, and emergency assistance to pay the bills and grants to small businesses to stay afloat. And we need financial institutions that will be receiving considerable government support in the months ahead to provide relief to low-income homeowners and landlords.
I support the eviction and rent increase moratorium. Please also prohibit lease terminations for leases expiring Feb-Sept 2020, instead requiring that they be replaced by either a renewal or a month-to-month rental, continuing at the same rate through this emergency period. Thank you for bringing this forward!
I am in strong support of this item. Covid-19 has already upended our economy; more than 1 million unemployment claims have been filed in California in the past two weeks, and the pandemic is expected to continue for several more weeks, if not months. Oakland's citizens should not be penalized for acting in the common interest of their fellow humans and staying at home, complying with public health officials' recommendations and governmental orders. We must keep Oakland's citizens secure in their homes, and this measure enables that.
I would additionally like to ask the council to consider directly subsidizing citizens, if feasible. We can see that the federal response will be delayed, and ineffective for the majority of our residents. If there is available monies in a rainy day fund, then I believe that the best use for those funds would be enabling Oakland's citizens during this crisis. Directly giving them the money will let them continue to patronize local businesses.
As a homeowner, voter and resident of Oakland for nearly 20 years, I care deeply about this community and believe that we must support our most vulnerable residents in this moment as well as protect the small businesses and organizations that make Oakland what it is, and provide jobs and services to its residents. I support this moratorium on rent increases, evictions and a call fo relief from financial institutions.
Oakland renters, workers, and small businesses --the people who rely on paychecks and stores being open, are suffering due to the COVID 19 crisis. Landlords should not be allowed to evict anyone during this crisis, to increase rent, or charge late fees. Stable housing is a major public health concern. An eviction moratorium and rent freeze should be part of a broader systematic approach addressing economic inequality and the rise in houseleness, to stop the steady rise of income inequality in Oakland and the Bay Area. Rents have more than doubled in this city over a short time span due real estate speculation. Especially now that there is a major pandemic and health crisis, and so many people are unable to work, or income has otherwise dropped, we should act in solidarity with fellow Oaklanders and Bay Area Residents (and beyond), and reverse the inequality.
PLEASE [ass this ordinance. Not only is it the right thing to do, but renters are already being crushed. Renters are already living paycheck to paycheck. These are the people who stock the shelves of the grocery stores you get your food at, the people who bring you your food when you go out to eat, the folks who give you rides, and so much more. Without a moratorium on evictions, people will be out on the street and this public health crisis will worsen because of it.
Half my 6-person household worked in the service industry and lost their livelihoods due to the Covid-19 crisis. We're unsure how we'll keep up with rent as this continues. Much of Oakland was already living paycheck to paycheck and will be facing the same struggle. It's unjust and unsafe to proceed with evictions during this state of emergency. Please pass this eviction moratorium for the health and safety of Oakland residents.
I strongly support the Eviction Moratorium Emergency Ordinance. As a long time resident of Oakland, I know that this is what our communities need to survive. Do the right thing and pass this ordinance.
I hope this not only passes but that it is extended until several months after the quarantine is lifted. I would like you to take into consideration that it will take time to be able to earn the extra money to make up for the loss of wages while unable to work during the shelter in place, as well as possibly earning less money than before because people are not going to be going out and spending money because they will be trying to save money to be able to pay for back rent. Thank you! -Jennifer Freesia
Thank you Councilmember Fortunato Bas for your leadership on this issue as Governor Newsom's directive was confusing. We need to take the lead in Oakland to keep people in our homes. To stop the pandemic, people must HAVE homes to Shelter-in-Place. Many Oaklanders are also experiencing unprecedented income loss. Please pass this moratorium on evictions and rent increases with NO LOOPHOLES. Often when we pass such policies, we exclude newer construction and single-family homes as if those tenants are less vulnerable or those landlords need special treatment. Take swift action to pass this policy to protect ALL tenants! Thank you -Beth
Please approve this item! This will help so many of our residents stay afloat during this time. If citizens are able to stay in their homes this will help us flatten the curve & get through this crisis. Many citizens who are able to survive in the Bay Area with current housing costs will not be able to do so for long with a lack of income & bills still coming in. Thank you for putting this on the table. Very proud of what Oakland has done so far.
The economic outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic is going to have resounding impacts for generations. This is a moment for governments at all levels to either consolidate wealth among the already wealthy, ignoring the disproportionate outcomes of this virus on our society based on access to food, shelter, and care; or to support and uphold the dignity of all the workers it's become so painfully clear are truly holding our society together. All long-term debts like mortgages must be suspended so working class families are not threatened with losing their homes or facing lifetimes of debt; and small property owners can forgive rental payments without incurring substantial economic strain on themselves. The federal government has repeatedly proven that in this time of crisis it prioritizes not the suffering public, but the country's most profitable private industries. It is more urgent than ever to support Oaklanders' economic stability, health, and safety for the long-term.
As an Oakland homeowner and landlord, I strongly support this humane and common sense measure to support our communities reeling from the cascading economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. During this time, we must act with compassion and urgency. We need a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, suspension of rents, mortgages and late fees, and emergency assistance to pay the bills and grants to small businesses to stay afloat. And we need financial institutions that will be receiving considerable government support in the months ahead to provide relief to low-income homeowners and landlords.
I support the eviction and rent increase moratorium. Please also prohibit lease terminations for leases expiring Feb-Sept 2020, instead requiring that they be replaced by either a renewal or a month-to-month rental, continuing at the same rate through this emergency period. Thank you for bringing this forward!
I am in strong support of this item. Covid-19 has already upended our economy; more than 1 million unemployment claims have been filed in California in the past two weeks, and the pandemic is expected to continue for several more weeks, if not months. Oakland's citizens should not be penalized for acting in the common interest of their fellow humans and staying at home, complying with public health officials' recommendations and governmental orders. We must keep Oakland's citizens secure in their homes, and this measure enables that.
I would additionally like to ask the council to consider directly subsidizing citizens, if feasible. We can see that the federal response will be delayed, and ineffective for the majority of our residents. If there is available monies in a rainy day fund, then I believe that the best use for those funds would be enabling Oakland's citizens during this crisis. Directly giving them the money will let them continue to patronize local businesses.
Please pass the eviction moratorium now! The health, safety, and well-being of our Oakland community depends on this emergency measure.
As a homeowner, voter and resident of Oakland for nearly 20 years, I care deeply about this community and believe that we must support our most vulnerable residents in this moment as well as protect the small businesses and organizations that make Oakland what it is, and provide jobs and services to its residents. I support this moratorium on rent increases, evictions and a call fo relief from financial institutions.
Oakland renters, workers, and small businesses --the people who rely on paychecks and stores being open, are suffering due to the COVID 19 crisis. Landlords should not be allowed to evict anyone during this crisis, to increase rent, or charge late fees. Stable housing is a major public health concern. An eviction moratorium and rent freeze should be part of a broader systematic approach addressing economic inequality and the rise in houseleness, to stop the steady rise of income inequality in Oakland and the Bay Area. Rents have more than doubled in this city over a short time span due real estate speculation. Especially now that there is a major pandemic and health crisis, and so many people are unable to work, or income has otherwise dropped, we should act in solidarity with fellow Oaklanders and Bay Area Residents (and beyond), and reverse the inequality.
PLEASE [ass this ordinance. Not only is it the right thing to do, but renters are already being crushed. Renters are already living paycheck to paycheck. These are the people who stock the shelves of the grocery stores you get your food at, the people who bring you your food when you go out to eat, the folks who give you rides, and so much more. Without a moratorium on evictions, people will be out on the street and this public health crisis will worsen because of it.
Pass this moratorium.
Half my 6-person household worked in the service industry and lost their livelihoods due to the Covid-19 crisis. We're unsure how we'll keep up with rent as this continues. Much of Oakland was already living paycheck to paycheck and will be facing the same struggle. It's unjust and unsafe to proceed with evictions during this state of emergency. Please pass this eviction moratorium for the health and safety of Oakland residents.