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.

Debt Free Justice California Coalition Ushers in Sweeping Protections for Vulnerable Community Members During COVID-19:

FRANCHISE TAX BOARD SUSPENDS COLLECTION OF DEBTS OWED TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related health and economic impacts of this crisis, the California State Controller has temporarily suspended the collection of all debts to government agencies until July 15, 2020, or a date to be determined based on the evolving nature of this unprecedented event. Read more about the impact of this decision here…

In order to limit the risk of spreading the virus, Henson is the only member of the coalition who goes into the camps and interacts directly with residents, nearly all of whom she knows by name. She says she tries to observe hygiene and social distancing rules as much as possible.

EBCLC, ACLU of Northern California, and Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area partnered together to request that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s,  Alameda County Superior Courts release driver’s license holds imposed die to Failure To Appear.

EBCLC and partner organizations are requesting the Judicial Council order courts to release driver’s license holds imposed due to Failure to Appear due to the closure of the courts.

East Bay Community Law Center’s Consumer Justice Clinic

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.

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.

The Debt Free Justice California coalition and partners commend State Controller Betty Yee for halting debt collection efforts in light of the unprecedented public health and economic crisis.

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.