CITY OF EAST PALO ALTO
Office of the City Council
East Palo Alto Government Center – 2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto, CA 94303 – 650.853.3100 March 15, 2022
The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor State of California
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
The Honorable Toni Atkins
President Pro Tempore
California Senate
California State Senate
1021 O Street, Suite 8518
Sacramento, CA 95814
The Honorable Anthony Rendon
Speaker California Assembly
1021 O Street, Suite 8330
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Extension of COVID-19 relief: tenancy: federal rental assistance. (AB 832, COVID-19: tenancy: federal rental assistance (Chapter 27, Stats 2021)
Dear Governor Newsom, President Pro Tempore Atkins, and Speaker Rendon:
On behalf of the City of East Palo Alto, we write to respectfully request that you consider and pass emergency legislation to extend for at least five additional months AB 832 COVID-19 relief: tenancy: federal rental assistance (Chapter 27, Statutes of 2021). Unfortunately, many of our residents-- landlords and tenants included-- have faced delays in receiving their rental assistance payments despite making timely efforts to apply for these funds.
We know the state has worked diligently to distribute the ERAP funds, but the demands have been overwhelming. As we run up against the March 31, 2022, date - a deadline that was built into the statewide and local law (AB 832) - we believe it’s in the public’s interest not to evict tenants who have applied, qualified, and been approved for but who are awaiting payment from the state and local ERAP funds. Local landlords would certainly prefer that the rent be paid and that they not be forced to make the decision to pursue eviction, which, in some cases, is the only alternative if they need rental income to pay their obligations related to the property.
The City of East Palo Alto respectfully requests an extension of the existing law (AB 832) for a minimum of five additional months (August 31, 2022), giving rental property owners and tenants some additional breathing room when it comes to awaiting ERAP funds.
Thank you for your consideration.
Ruben Abrica
City of East Palo Alto Mayor