Renters and homeowners in Pleasanton are experiencing reduced, and even entirely eliminated paychecks during the Shelter in Place order. Many residents are currently hoping that their savings, one-time stimulus check and/or unemployment insurance will allow them to cover rent or mortgage payments for April, May and the coming months.

From mid March until now, approximately 3.1 million Californians have filed for unemployment benefits, and many have yet to receive their benefits. In a four week period 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits. These numbers are expected to soar as companies begin to enter a deep, economic crisis and more business permanently close and more workers are laid off. Scarily, our state has already exhausted almost 50% of the funds set aside for unemployment payments.

Our current eviction and foreclosure protections are no where near enough.

The current moratorium provides a temporary 30-day moratorium on eviction (starting March 24), if tenants can prove that they are were unable to pay rent as an effect of the shelter in place or because they or a loved one contracted the virus. Even if a tenant does provide the required documentation, they still have to go to court to prove they meet the conditions.“Means testing” during a crisis, and when the numbers are so high, risks missing many people in need and introduces unnecessary bureaucracy and costs.

Even if they do qualify for the moratorium, Pleasanton renters would still owe past due rent. Unfortunately, renters who can't afford the rent one month will likely not have the money to pay double next month or triple the following month after. After all, sixty percent of Americans are unable to cover an unexpected $1,000 expense.

Even if they are somehow able to pay the rent in arrears and catch up, the moratorium doesn't guarantee that they won't face Just-Cause termination.

The moratorium also does not waive late fees for nonpayment.

The bill also does not protect against rent increases. Even before this crisis, rents in Pleasanton have grown by 31.5% since 2014, far outpacing the national average of 12.7%. Nationally, 47% of renters spend more than a third of their income on rent, while one-quarter of renters give more than half of their income to their landlord.

In light of all of this, the Richmond City Council is considering emergency order suspending rent and mortgage payments. 

As our city’s elected representatives, you have the responsibility to immediately take all steps necessary to address this crisis. 

We ask for: 

*A residential and small business rent freeze through the end of the year (to be extended for longer if the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis continues in 2021). 

*A suspension of all rent and mortgage payments for as long as the pandemic lasts. Suspension means renters and homeowners make no payments, without adverse consequences like accruing back rent or incurring other debts, evictions, or damage to credit rating.