Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella, joined upwards of 30 California lawmakers Wednesday in urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to stop all evictions statewide for renters until the coronavirus emergency subsides.
Garcia and other members of the Legislature signed a joint letter calling on Newsom to build on a prior executive order he signed on March 16 which gave local governments the ability to stop evictions if they choose to.
“With a stay at home order in effect, we cannot wait on over 500 cities and counties to adopt their own individual measures,” Garcia said. “Too few have done so, and we must act now to protect the public health of our residents.”
According to the letter, 50 cites and counties have placed limits on evictions.
The letter does not call for assistance for homeowners facing foreclosures or mounting mortgage payments. An aide to Garcia said that is because Newsom announced Wednesday more than 200 banks and credit unions have agreed to offer 90-day waivers to homeowners impacted by the novel coronavirus who are facing foreclosures or mortgage payments they cannot pay.
Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank will give 90-day waivers, Newsom said Wednesday, while Bank of America has committed to 30 days.
However, Newsom’s announcement did not include relief for renters.