Emergency Evictions Moratorium is expected to be discussed TONIGHT at the Chula Vista City Council Meeting
The Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® is continuing to fight a proposed ordinance by a special interest group that aims to place additional restrictions on evictions and establish exorbitant penalties on Chula Vista housing providers (read more on that here). But now they're at it again - this time with a new approach.
We've just learned that this same special interest group is going before the City Council tonight to pressure the Mayor to introduce an EMERGENCY EVICTIONS MORATORIUM.
We need your help to fight this proposal, which will protect problematic tenants and place an overwhelming burden on our independent, mom-and-pop housing providers! Please do one or more of the following TODAY:
- Attend the Chula Vista Council meeting tonight, Tuesday, March 15 at 5p.m. and speak during Public Comment. Click here for an agenda and more information.
- Submit "eComment" ahead of Tuesday evening's meeting. Click here for the agenda, scroll down to Item 6 and click on Public Comments, then click on the red "Leave Comment" bubble.
- Email and/or call the Mayor and City Council Members using the talking points below!
Mayor Mary Casillas Salas | msalas@chulavistaca.gov | (619) 691-5044
Councilmember John McCann (District 1) | jmccann@chulavistaca.gov | (619) 691-5044
Councilmember Jill Galvez (District 2) | jmgalvez@chulavistaca.gov | (619) 691-5177
Councilmember Stephen Padilla (District 3) | spadilla@chulavistaca.gov | (619) 691-5044
Councilmember Andrea Cardenas (District 4) | acardenas@chulavistaca.gov | (619) 691-5044
SAMPLE COMMENT
We cannot afford another evictions moratorium! Housing providers throughout Chula Vista and our neighboring areas have worked throughout the pandemic to support their tenants. In fact, studies show that housing providers in San Diego and Riverside Counties lost approximately $3.8 billion in rental income during the pandemic. Meanwhile, state and federal funds are available to support struggling tenants and there is no evidence of mass evictions taking place! We know that evictions are necessary for several reasons, not the least of which includes removing problematic and even dangerous tenants that could otherwise be a threat to the safety of our Chula Vista families. Please protect our neighborhoods and work to advance sensible solutions that will expand our supply of safe and affordable housing options.
TALKING POINTS
- Funding is available to support tenants struggling to make rental payments as a result of COVID. Meanwhile, California is predicted to have a $46 billion budget surplus for the year, so our elected leaders should look to Sacramento for any additional resources that are needed.
- There is no evidence to support claims of mass evictions in Chula Vista!
- This ordinance will have a devastating impact on our local Chula Vista housing providers, especially seniors, who rely on this rental income to sustain their retirement and put food on the table.
- The majority of housing providers are independent, “mom-and-pop” housing providers, many of whom worked throughout the pandemic to support struggling tenants and ensure they had access to safe, clean housing.
- Of note, according to a recent study by the Southern California Rental Housing Association, housing providers in San Diego and Riverside Counties lost approximately $3.8 billion in rental income during the pandemic. Despite the challenges and uncertainty of future rent payments, property managers supported their tenants in several ways, including:
- 53% of housing providers negotiated temporarily reduced rental rates
- 47% of housing providers agreed to waive late fees and penalties
- 32% offered a payment plan
- 15% removed the penalty for early lease termination
- 11% offered rent forgiveness
- This action is not necessary! The Mayor and City Council should instead work to bring together tenants and landlords to identify existing tools and resources available to support anyone struggling as a result of COVID.