California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Friday, January 29, that extends eviction protections and provides rent relief for residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state will freeze evictions until the end of June for tenants who still owe rent during the pandemic.
In addition, over $2 billion in federal stimulus funds is being put towards rental assistance.
The funds would be used to pay off 80% of tenants' outstanding rent payments from April 2020 to March 2021, but only as long as the landlord forgives the remaining 20% and does not pursue an eviction.
Only households whose income is 80% or less than the area's median income are eligible for the aid. Households at 50% or less of the median income and residents who have unemployed for at least three months will be prioritized for relief, according to ABC7.
Newsom first signed the bill in 2020 and it was scheduled to expire on Monday.
"We're not done," said Newsom. "None of us are naive that we have a lot more work to do."
CBS13 points out that housing advocacy groups are concerned that the bill gives too much power to landlords.
During the virtual bill signing ceremony, Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon both pledged to pass a law granting more assistance for residents later this year.
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