The City of Los Angeles is urging residents to take advantage of its eviction relief programs as the number of expected evictions surpasses 37,000 households by next year.
Speaking at a press conference on July 31, Mayor Karen Bass expressed concern, “We’ve had a total of 27,000 eviction filings this year, and at this rate, we expect to have another 10,000 next year. I hope that people will take advantage of the eviction relief that the city has prepared, and I hope that family and friends will come forward to check on seniors.”
The eviction crisis dates back to March 2020. The city government provided a temporary grace period for those unable to pay rent on time. The deadline to repay 18 months of rent fees since March 2020 was set for August 1, 2023.
With just one day left until the rent repayment deadline, authorities have been working tirelessly to provide assistance, fearing an increase in evictions could exacerbate the city’s homeless crisis.
“It’s unfortunate that many people still don’t know that the city can help them,” stated Councilmember Nithya Raman (District 4), who participated in the press conference. “They shouldn’t assume that everything the landlord claims and demands is legal, and they should look for options.”
To date, the city has received nearly 50,000 requests for relief assistance.
Tenants who notified the city government about their inability to pay rent due to the pandemic either 15 days before it was due, from March 1 to August 31, 2020, or between September 1, 2020, and September 20, 2021, are protected from eviction as long as they have paid at least 25% of the rent.
Additionally, tenants owing one month’s rent or less are protected from eviction, and those experiencing a rent increase of more than 10% in the last 12 months may be eligible for relocation assistance from their landlords.
For more information on eviction prevention, city government remedies, and legal services, visit https://www.stayhousedla.org/ko in Korean.
BY BRIAN CHOI [choi.inseong@koreadaily.com]
