Can't Pay Mortgage, Rent Due To Coronavirus Impact? CA Updates

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella, joined upwards of 30 California lawmakers Wednesday in urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to stop all evictions statewide for renters until the coronavirus emergency subsides.

Garcia and other members of the Legislature signed a joint letter calling on Newsom to build on a prior executive order he signed on March 16 which gave local governments the ability to stop evictions if they choose to.

"With a stay at home order in effect, we cannot wait on over 500 cities and counties to adopt their own individual measures," Garcia said. "Too few have done so, and we must act now to protect the public health of our residents."

According to the letter, less than 50 cites and counties have placed limits on evictions.

The letter does not call for assistance for homeowners facing foreclosures or mounting mortgage payments, but Newsom announced Wednesday more than 200 banks and credit unions have agreed to offer 90-day waivers to homeowners impacted by the novel coronavirus who are facing foreclosures or mortgage payments they cannot pay. (Click for details on how to apply.)

Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank will give 90-day waivers, Newsom said Wednesday, while Bank of America has committed to 30 days.

However, Newsom's announcement did not include relief for renters.

In Cathedral City, two new ordinances were approved by the City Council Wednesday that temporarily bar evictions due to nonpayment of rent during the coronavirus pandemic.

They apply to residential, as well as commercial evictions, but do not wipe out rental debts.

Once the ordinances are lifted, renters will have 60 days to pay all past-due rents before evictions can set in. The new rules will remain in effect until either the county or state repeals its coronavirus emergency declarations, or the council votes to repeal the ordnances by a 4/5 vote.

Both residential and commercial renters must provide documentation that their failure to pay rent on time was connected to the coronavirus.

Cathedral City becomes the latest city in the Coachella Valley to enact a temporary moratorium on evictions amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Palm Springs City Council last week approved a two-week moratorium on eviction notices.

The council is expected to discuss the issue again at its April 2 meeting.

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