1 APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
_________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. _______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY VICE MAYOR REBECCA KAPLAN & COUNCIL PRESIDENT
NIKKI FORTUNATO BAS
RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
THE TREASURY, GOVERNOR NEWSOM, AND THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO
FULLY COVER ALL PENDING QUALIFIED EMERGENCY RENTAL
ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS
WHEREAS, the long-standing housing affordability crisis in California intensified in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic sparked an economic and public health crisis that threatened the housing stability and lives of millions of renters. Throughout the past two years, low-income renters who struggled before the COVID-19 crisis were put in an even more tenuous position to pay rent due to job loss and increased expenses; and
WHEREAS, 709,000 households are currently behind on rent in California, their total rent debt totaling approximately $2.5 billion based on analyses of rent relief distributions from the US Treasury Report and Census Household Pulse Survey Data through August 2022; and
WHEREAS, in response to the growing need to support renters, help avoid financial hardships in our communities for small landlords, and prevent skyrocketing displacement and homelessness, the Federal and State governments allocated funding to establish rental assistance programs; and
WHEREAS, the City of Oakland has applied for Emergency Rental Assistance Program funding (ERAP), provided by the US Department of Treasury, to financially assist Oakland low- income renters. During the first round of allocations, ERAP I, the City received $12,874,764; during the second round, ERAP II, the City received $19,644,850.30; and the City also received $12,077,713.52 from Round 2 of the California Housing & Community Development State Rental Assistance Program (SRA2); and
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2 WHEREAS, the City adopted Resolution No. 89143 to authorize the City Administrator to apply for, accept, and appropriate funds under a State Housing and Community Development (HCD) Cashflow Loan Program of $20 million; and
WHEREAS, as of mid-October 2022, there were approximately 2,900 remaining waitlist applications to process, and a total of $9.5 to $10.5 million to pay out for all waitlist applications; and
WHEREAS, Governor Gavin Newsom announced on October 17th, 2022, that the COVID-19 State of Emergency in California will end on February 28, 2023; and
WHEREAS, ensuring timely payment of outstanding rent is vital for the housing stability of many Families and to reduce suffering and waves of evictions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council calls upon the US Department of the Treasury, Governor, and California Department of Housing and Community Development to rapidly and fully cover all pending qualified emergency rental assistance applications; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That Oakland's lobbyist share this resolution with relevant Federal staff and State staff to prevent evictions, displacement, and economic suffering.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES – FIFE, GALLO, KALB, KAPLAN, REID, TAYLOR, THAO,
PRESIDENT FORTUNATO BAS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California