The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley today applauded the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for unanimously... Law Foundation Applauds Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for Enacting Emergency Eviction Freeze SAN JOSE, CA — The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley today applauded the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for unanimously enacting an emergency eviction moratorium to protect tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Law Foundation, along with other community partners, advocated directly with the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for an ordinance that would cover the entire county. “This is a lifeboat for tenants, and we applaud the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, especially Supervisors Cindy Chavez and Joe Simitian, who have stepped up for their community members,” said Nadia Aziz, directing attorney for the Law Foundation’s housing program. “During the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic disruption, these critical policies are needed to keep people housed, prevent foreclosures, and keep small businesses’ doors open.” As this unprecedented public health crisis continues to unfold, health concerns and shelter-in-place orders will leave thousands of people in our region without employment. Without the protection against eviction that this moratorium provides, many of these people would have been forced into homelessness if they could not afford to pay their rent. Likewise, many small businesses are currently shuttered, and without income many would have been evicted from their commercial spaces. The ordinance approved today, March 24, 2020, takes effect immediately until May 31, 2020 and: Applies to every residential and small business tenant in Santa Clara County (including within city boundaries). Prohibits nonpayment of rent and no-fault evictions for eligible tenants. Requires tenants to provide documentation to their landlords of lost income or out-of-pocket medical expenses related to the COVID-19 emergency. Gives tenants 120 days following the emergency to pay back rent unpaid during the emergency. Prohibits landlords from charging late fees for unpaid rent during the emergency and 120 days after. This new protection is particularly needed for low-income people and communities of color – who are less likely to be able to work from home and who rely on every paycheck to make it through the month. “This moratorium protects our neighbors when they are most in need of support and will help ease their burden during these trying times,” said staff attorney Michael Trujillo. “As our community continues to grapple with this global pandemic, the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley will continue to advocate for tenants and other underrepresented communities who are facing the worst of this crisis.” If a tenant lives in Santa Clara County and receives any kind of eviction notice during the COVID-19 emergency, they can call the Law Foundation’s Housing Program at 408-280-2424 for more information about their rights. Law Foundation of Silicon Valley | 4 North Second Street, Suite 1300, San Jose, CA 95113 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | About Constant Contact Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!