An increase in evictions in the months to come is something that is already anticipated by both landlord and tenant rights advocates.
This, as the moratorium on evictions, looks to end by September 30.
Some Bay Area tenants already sound concerned for their fate, including Tamiesha Pruitt from Fairfield, who is with her daughter, Amahle.
“I’m concerned. You know. It’s not easy trying to just make it,” she said. Her work as a tutor was affected by the pandemic.
A lobbyist with the landlord group California Apartment Association, Debra Carlton said tenants that cannot make it to the rent assistance can be evicted next month.
This can be stopped through Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order as the state legislature is out of session.
“Landlords are getting quite antsy and are anticipating the expiration here,” Christina Collins, a tenant’s rights attorney, said.
Tenants will still be protected until September 30.
Landlords, according to Carlton, must at least make an effort and try to have their tenants be provided with rental aid via the emergency rental assistance program.
In an interview with 7 On Your Side, a state spokesperson said that tenants are given 15 days to register for rental assistance if they are given an eviction notice. They cannot be evicted as long as their application is under review.
As compared before June 28, tenants can now be provided with their rent money in full and their protection will stay through March.
Those who will apply can pass the process if their income is 80 percent lower than the median income in their county.
“What do you do when you have a tenant who won’t leave, in some cases you can’t evict them. Even if you know they don’t qualify,” Carlton raised.
Pruitt, on the other hand, has already submitted her application in Solano County last June.
“They don’t seem to scream positive and efficient distribution of funds that are available,” Collins said.
“I’m a little worried because I’m still a month behind,” Pruitt exclaimed.
