Activists And Tenants Protest Rising Evictions In San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 08: Activists and tenants of 1049 Market Street hold signs as they stage a protest against the landlord's attempts to evict them from the building on March 8, 2016 in San Francisco, California. The current landlord has filed an Ellis Act eviction to remove residents in the entire 84 unit, rent-controlled building. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

With their focus set to prevent the widespread evictions, the San Diego County's Board of Supervisors voted to impose additional eviction protections for tenants on Tuesday.

The said action puts a limit on eviction to tenants who are an imminent health or safety threat or were not able to pay their rents. The law set by the country went beyond the statewide protections which allows 'just cause' evictions for things like lease violations. But in order for the action to have its full imposition, there is a second vote requirement which was set on May 4.

According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, the vote of 3-2 passed after Supervisor Nora Vargas, the person behind the initially set emergency ordinance changed it to a non-emergency item, which only requires three votes to pass. But the non-emergency item requires another public hearing approval to take effect.

Moreover, the ordinance states that a landlord cannot evict a tenant if they are planning to rehab the property or they will be moving into it themselves. Both of the said eviction reasons are allowed under the current law.

In addition, Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer proposed amendments that allow evictions for repeated and prolonged nuisances. She also mentioned that the amendment will allow individuals who own two or fewer homes to evict renters if they want to move back into the property. Both of the amendments mentioned by Lawson-Remer will be tackled and refined in the next meeting of Supervisors.

Meanwhile, the action was opposed by a local landlord group, the Southern California Rental Housing Association. The group argued that good residents in the area would be suffering because of the problematic neighbors.

However, Vargas argued the state laws did not go enough for people as they can still be evicted for simple things like remodeling or renovation. She pointed out that laws have loopholes and evictions are still happening in San Diego County which is for her is alarming. Vargas added that tenants are still being evicted during this global health crisis.

Furthermore, not less than 200 individuals called into the meeting, which included renters, community activists, and even some small landlords. Many callers stated that they are still facing the threat of eviction despite the imposed state protections. But landlords also shared their side and stated that they had made enough sacrifices for months, especially during the pandemic. Landlords also argued that the additional eviction protections would mean added financial burden on their end.

Art Moses, one of the small landlords in the county, shared that he has already worked with his tenant throughout the COVID-19 pandemic after she lost her source of income. He added that the county was not creating a solution but rather a situation wherein small landlords would be out of business.

Moses added that the maintenance cost in sustaining the need of the property has not decreased that's why he does not understand why the board is considering the additional eviction protection.

Also, Supervisor Jim Desmond stated that the majority of individuals who called into the meeting shared that they are currently facing the threat of eviction because they have lost their jobs and cannot pay their rent. He mentioned that the state law already prevents the eviction of tenants who have an income loss because of the pandemic that's why he wants additional consultation for the ordinance.

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