California Evictions & COVID-19
In California, nearly 3.2 million cases of Coronavirus have been documented. California has also experienced almost 40,000 Coronavirus fatalities; that’s over thirteen September 11 attacks. September 11, an event that we marched to war over, happening thirteen times a year, in only one state. California is knee-deep in this depressing plague. It’s impossible to work safely; California’s disadvantaged are forced to pick death or homelessness, an insurmountable decision. How could we force Americans to make that decision? Additionally, California lost over 1.3 million jobs in 2020; we’re out of work! We’re trapped in a catch-22, both options will ruin us. Fortunately, California has an answer: eviction protections.
Eviction protections were instated in 2020 to shield Californians, but they almost went sterile. The protections were set to expire on January 31, 2021, but state lawmakers fortunately agreed on an extension until June 30. The clock is ticking until then. Impoverished tenants must continue to pay 25% of their rent, however. Landlords may sue to collect the remaining sum, the State of California has contributed nearly $12 million dollars to manage these lawsuits. Californians protected under these provisions are on melting ice; if they expire, there is no relief awaiting them, only an abyss. If they endure, Californians will rapidly run out of money to pay the retainer for rent.
This financial depression is unlike any before; the economy is suffering because work itself is under siege, to earn a wage is to risk death. Yet, we expect the already long-suffering to pay for rent? To pay for hospitable bills and funeral expenses? This is an unworkable situation. It’s time for the State of California and Governor Newsom to get involved; California can’t wait.
This is the steepest drop in employment ever recorded; the devastation on California’s finances was decisive and breakneck. It’s been an entire year and the economy hasn’t recovered, there’s no indication on when relief is coming.
Coronavirus will only disappear when mass vaccinations occur, until then, we’re stranded in this menacing ocean. California is currently the 5th worst state in the whole country for vaccination efforts. The end’s not near.
This paints a grim painting for all Californians. With no relief on the horizon and employment scarce, we must safeguard our citizens’ well-being. Immediate action is required for California to recover. How will the government achieve this? Extend eviction protections until 2022 and carefully overhaul their terms.
This pandemic won’t vanish soon, it’s been over a year and we have no reason to believe that it’s fading. With the job market dead, medical infrastructure devastated, and cemeteries inundated, we cannot expect our workers to live under these conditions. Governor Gavin Newsom and our state legislators must lower the 25% rent requirement and extend protections until 2022. Californians cannot afford fiscal reluctance; the longer California goes without action, the worse our circumstances will become. Every day, more Americans die, go bankrupt, fall into destitution, and are infected with Coronavirus; every day the situation worsens. These eviction measures are life savers, they are not optional. The pain and suffering of California must be answered.
Written by CAHSD member Richardson Dockery.
