With the pandemic coming to an end, both chambers of the California legislature passed AB 832 to extend the eviction moratorium for another three months. The bill was signed by Governor Newsom who also previously set up a program for cash assistance to pay owed rent for those impacted by the pandemic. According to Newsom “California will significantly increase cash assistance to low-income tenants and small landlords under the state’s $5.2 billion rent relief program, making it the largest most comprehensive COVID rental protection and rent relief program of any state in the nation.”
The eviction moratorium has now been extended through September 30th. This means both landlords and tenants have another three months to access the program for financial assistance for missed rent which was established earlier this year with SB 91. The passage of AB 32 doubles the funding of the rent relief program allowing payment of 100% of low income tenants with past due rent going back to April 2020.
On Monday, the state reported that it had paid out just $73 million of the $1.4 billion it had made available in March, while applications have been submitted for a total of $722 million. Counties and cities, given $1.2 billion to distribute, are also struggling.
Landlords and tenants can both apply for the extended rent relief program. Around 758,000 California residents owe back rent. Landlords can inform their tenants who have missed rent about the program in an effort to access the funds. The bill also prohibits the eviction of any tenant who pays at least 25% of their rent for the next three months.
Officials say the 32 page paperwork needed to be filled out in order to receive the funds has been simplified.
According to assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco) some of the funds will come from the $27 billion that the state received from federal relief for COVID-19.