Amid Contention, Emeryville City Council Continues Efforts To Deter Evictions During Covid-19 Pandemic

The East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC) advocated for extending the moratorium to cover all evictions via a letter. “Landlords will preserve their right to sue on these issues after the state of emergency passes and the moratorium is lifted,” the letter stated.

Their letter recommended that renters be excused if back rent is accrued during the state of emergency. “Any and all rent accrued during this moratorium should only be recoverable via small claims or regular civil action (Not unlawful detainer) after the landlord has attempted a reasonable repayment plan and provided tenant written notice of this ordinance,” the letter further stated.

Director’s Corner

The past month has created unprecedented openings to center the values that EBCLC has always held: that housing, economic justice, and community health are all inextricably linked. With your support, we have created and taken all opportunities not just to disrupt business as usual, but also to bring along new allies, lay the groundwork for better systems, and bring new vision to 2020.

As City of Oakland Moves to Block Evictions, Keep Oakland Housed Expands to Serve Residents at Risk of Losing Housing Due to COVID-19

KOH is a city-wide collaborative effort made up of Bay Area Community Services, Catholic Charities of the East Bay, and East Bay Community Law Center. The effort is uniquely poised to support the unprecedented number of Oakland community members who are experiencing a housing crisis as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is anticipated that Oakland residents will experience a spike in housing crises, as job losses, furloughs, and other challenges will make it difficult for individuals and families to afford their housing and utility bills.

Advocates discuss city of Berkeley COVID-19 relief efforts for homeless population

Berkeley’s homeless community has seen its first suspected case of COVID-19 in an encampment, according to a Thursday press release from Osha Neumann, co-director for the East Bay Community Law Center.

The situation has revealed that Berkeley’s homeless encampments are unable to implement social distancing, according to Neumann’s press release. The residents of these encampments also lack disease-protective gear such as gloves, masks and thermometers, the press release adds.

Paying Rent Amidst the Coronavirus

Ben Bradford, host of Flatten the Curve podcast, and Meghan Gordon, EBCLC Housing Practice Director, sit down to discuss options for those worried about paying rent amid the COVID-19 pandemic.