DISCUSSION
The proposed urgency ordinance limits the circumstances under which a person can be evicted for nonpayment of rent or by foreclosure for income loss due to the coronavirus pandemic. On March 16, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-28-20, which authorizes local jurisdictions to suspend the evictions of tenants for the non-payment of rent , or through foreclosure, if the eviction is a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Without local protection, eviction notices for failure to pay rent or mortgages are likely to surge as residents and businesses are unable to earn income due to the pandemic, or are forced to pay substantial medical expenses associated with the pandemic. The ordinance would temporarily prohibit evictions, through May 31, 2020, for any tenant (residential or commercial) who can demonstrate that they are being evicted for the failure to pay rent or make other required payments, and that such failure is a direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The recommendation is for the Board to determine that urgent action must be taken to protect the health, safety, and welfare of tenants in the unincorporated area of Shasta County. If approved by a 4/5 vote of the Board of Supervisors, it will go into effect immediately. |