Feared eviction wave swells as Long Beach renter protection, federal aid runs out
As local, county and state eviction moratoriums sunset or near their final days, advocates fear a looming wave of evictions that could exacerbate homelessness in Long Beach.
The city’s eviction moratorium ended on Sept. 30, and housing advocates have upped the pressure on city officials to intervene. Two weeks ago, tenants from two apartments on the outskirts of Downtown marched down a busy Pine Avenue, denouncing rent increases and allegations of tenant harassment.
The marchers also visited the apparent apartment complex where Councilwoman Mary Zendejas lives to pressure her to support laws that would protect them from eviction.
Norberto Lopez, project director with Long Beach Residents Empowered, said aid for tenants at the local level is drying up. The county’s temporary eviction moratorium was only extended by one month before it was set to expire Oct. 30.
“We are racing against the clock to keep people home by preventing evictions,” he said.
A state law offers some eviction protections and support for landlords, however, it will sunset on Feb. 1, which worries Mike Murchison, a […]