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AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF STOCKTON ENACTING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS OF CERTAIN VULNERABLE RESIDENTS AND DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF RENT FOR RESIDENTIAL TENANTS WHERE THE FAILURE TO PAY RENT RESULTS FROM INCOME LOSS RESULTING FROM THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
(a) Adopt an urgency ordinance that establishes a moratorium on eviction of certain vulnerable residents and for non-payment of rent evictions for tenants with incomes affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Specifically, the ordinance would:
1. Temporarily prohibit the eviction of a vulnerable residential tenant or for non-payment of rent, if that non-paying tenant meets the criteria listed in the ordinance regarding COVID-19; and
2. Provide that the moratorium will commence upon the Council’s adoption of the urgency ordinance making findings regarding COVID-19 and that such moratorium would expire in two (2) months unless extended.
(b) Adopt an ordinance that establishes a moratorium on eviction of certain vulnerable residents and for non-payment of rent evictions for tenants with incomes affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Specifically, the ordinance would:
1. Temporarily prohibit the eviction of a vulnerable residential tenant or for non-payment of rent, if that non-paying tenant meets the criteria listed in the ordinance regarding COVID-19; and
2. Provide that the moratorium will commence thirty days following Council’s adoption of the ordinance and that such moratorium would expire in two (2) months unless extended.
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Summary
As of March 13, 2020, the County reported nine (9) cases of persons testing positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
Based upon evidence of increasing transmission of COVID-19 within the County and Statewide, scientific evidence regarding the most effective approaches to slow the transmission of communicable diseases generally and COVID-19 specifically, as well as best practices as currently known and available to protect vulnerable members of the public from avoidable risk of serious illness or death resulting from exposure to COVID-19, measures have been taken to limit gatherings.
This has resulted in the cancellation of events, more localized efforts to stay at home by residents, and therefore less people working. Altogether, these closures and reduced economic activity will affect the ability of our residents to pay for many expenditures, including rent. This is especially pronounced in Stockton, where residential tenants constitute 52% of our residents.
As such, the proposed ordinance safeguards the majority of Stockton residents from being displaced and/or from falling into homelessness as a result of the economic impacts of COVID-19. Housing provides and supports public health goals generally, but also facilitates specific, necessary social distancing to address the COVID-19 spread.
Present Situation
Approval of this urgency ordinance requires a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the City Council.