DATE: March 24, 2020
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Temporary Moratorium on Evictions: Adoption of Emergency Ordinance Establishing a Temporary Moratorium on Evictions in the City of Hayward for Non-Payment of Rent Caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, or for No-Fault Evictions and Providing Tenants and Landlords Mediation Services to Negotiate Payment Agreements and to Provide Direction to Staff to Develop a Financial Assistance Program to Help Stabilize the Rental Housing Market in Hayward
End
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the City Council:
1. Adopts an emergency ordinance that 1) establishes a temporary moratorium on evictions in the City of Hayward for non-payment of rent caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, or for no-fault evictions unless the eviction is necessary for the health and safety of the tenant or landlord (e.g. unit is deemed uninhabitable), and 2) provides tenants and landlords mediation services to negotiate payment agreements (Attachment II).
2. Adopts a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute an amendment to the agreement with Project Sentinel to expand mediation services up to a not-to-exceed amount of $150,000. (Attachment III)
SUMMARY
As a result of the State of Emergency declarations and Alameda County Shelter-in-Place Order during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, many tenants have experienced or will experience sudden income loss, leaving them vulnerable to eviction. During the State of Emergency, the public interest in preserving peace, health, and safety and preventing further transmission of COVID-19 will be served by avoiding unnecessary displacement and homelessness. However, in addition to the impacts on tenants, non-payment of rent will make it difficult for landlords to meet their obligations as housing service providers. To mitigate these impacts, staff proposes measures to balance the needs of both stakeholde...
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