A bill to extend COVID eviction protections in California for two more months until June 30 has been passed and signed into law.
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, who's the acting Governor with Gov. Newsom and his family on vacation in Central and South America, signed the bill into law, saying, “California’s nation-leading rent relief program has provided much needed relief for more than 220,000 households across the state. Today’s action will provide additional time to thousands more who are in the process of acquiring emergency relief."
The law extends eviction protections for tenants who have applied for state or local rental assistance programs by the end of business on Thursday.
California Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins of San Diego said in a statement issued Thursday, “While we know there are many ongoing issues regarding rent, tenants, landlords, and localities, we made a commitment to act on behalf of those who were in line for this relief, and that’s why AB 2179 passed so quickly with such strong support."
California’s $5.5 billion COVID rent relief program is the largest state effort in the country and covers 100% of past-due rent payments for qualified low-income Californians. Tenants can access rental funds directly if their landlord chooses not to participate, and landlords can receive compensation even if their otherwise income-qualified tenants have already vacated a unit.
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