San Rafael, CA – For the fourth time, the Marin County Board of Supervisors extended a countywide residential eviction moratorium because of the widespread economic hardship being experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board approved the extension through September 30 during its July 28 meeting, similar to what it had supported in April, May, and June. The original moratorium was passed March 24. The September 30 date aligns with a June 30 Executive Order from California Governor Gavin Newsom.
After more than four months of a shelter-in-place public health order related to the coronavirus emergency, the Board stood firm in its support of a ban on evictions of residents who experience a sudden loss of income tied to the pandemic. If a residential tenant has not made a timely rent payment, the landlord cannot evict if the tenant provides notice within 30 days after the rent was due that the tenant is unable to pay because of financial impacts related to COVID-19.
Renters have up to 90 days after the expiration of the resolution to repay back rent. A landlord is able to seek payment of unpaid rent after the expiration of the local emergency. The resolution encourages landlords and tenants to agree on a repayment plan that would allow landlords to accept partial payment during the term of the eviction moratorium, if the tenant is able to make such payments. A landlord may not charge a late fee for rent that was owed during the eviction moratorium or the 90-day period that follows.
The Board resolution applies to incorporated towns and cities as well as unincorporated areas of Marin. According to the Marin Community Development Agency, the goal of the moratorium extension is to provide temporary protection to reduce the widespread economic ramifications of the public health emergency.
Marin’s severe shortage of affordable rental housing – even under normal circumstances – leaves many lower-paid workers at high risk for homelessness, and in turn, less equipped to mitigate the risks associated with the virus. The County and its nonprofit partners created a safety-net fund to assist the most financially vulnerable residents and prevent homelessness. Through the COVID-19 Fund of MCF, contributions can be earmarked for emergency rental assistance and will be leveraged for food distribution and specialized services for older adults and people with disabilities.