3/25/2020
Evictions Suspended for Tenants Affected By COVID-19
PRESS RELEASE City of Long Beach Public Information Office 411 W. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
3/25/2020 Press Release # 032520BFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Evictions Suspended for Tenants Affected By COVID-19 Winter shelter also extended for people experiencing homelessess City of Long Beach Joint Information Center 562-570-NEWS (6397) jic@longbeach.gov
Long Beach, CA – A new emergency ordinance, effective today, temporarily halts evictions for residential and commercial tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of a comprehensive rental relief package unanimously approved Tuesday night by the City Council. “We’re just starting to see the economic impacts of COVID-19 on our residential and commercial tenants in Long Beach,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “The emergency ordinance enacted by the City Council should provide relief to those who are most vulnerable to eviction and possible homelessness during this difficult time.” The emergency ordinance is retroactive to March 4, 2020, when Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency to address the COVID-19 outbreak in California. If a tenant is unable to pay rent between March 4 and May 31, due to a reduction in income caused by COVID-19, they must notify their landlords that rent will not be paid on time. Tenants are then required to provide documentation of substantial income losses caused by job layoffs, out-of-pocket medical expenses or requirements to stay at home due to COVID-19. Protected tenants have until Nov. 30 to pay all delayed rent to their landlords without incurring late charges. Through May 31, landlords issuing notifications for rental nonpayment notifications must include information about the City’s emergency ordinance so that tenants are aware of their rights. In a related move, the City Council also voted Tuesday for the Housing Authority to suspend the termination of housing assistance payments through May 31, aimed at ensuring recipients are able to comply with the City’s Safer at Home order. Additionally, the City Council voted Tuesday to extend operations for the Winter Shelter through September 30 for people experiencing homelessness. The temporary shelter was initially scheduled to close April 1. www.longbeach.gov/press-releases/evictions-suspended-for-tenants-affected-by-covid-19/
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