San Diego City Wire

San Diego residents and business owners struggling to keep a roof over their heads received a much-needed boost in the arm with funding made available by the state.

Mayor Todd Gloria said in a release that California will provide approximately $45.5 million in assistance to San Diego residents who cannot pay their bills because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding, along with previously designated federal money, will amount to approximately $87.9 million in relief support. It is part of Senate legislation, which also extended a moratorium on evictions of residential tenants unable to pay their rent. The moratorium is effective through June.

The San Diego City Council had approved Gloria’s proposal to extend the pandemic-related ban on both residential and commercial evictions.

State law supersedes San Diego’s moratorium.

The moratorium will last 60 days after the city’s emergency declaration is lifted and will become effective July 1 if the city remains under a state of emergency.

The commercial moratorium is effective currently through the city moratorium as the state law does not include the policy. It will last until June 30 or 60 days after the emergency order is lifted, whichever comes first.

“Gov. Gavin Newsom, Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and the California Legislature really came through for tenants and landlords in our city and across California who have had an incredibly hard time throughout this crisis,” Gloria said. “I will work to get these rent relief dollars out for the benefit of our renters as soon as possible.”

Gloria said on Jan. 21 that the city received approximately $42.3 million in federal funding for rent and utility assistance. Information about the application process for gaining access to assistance can visit www.sdhc.org/housing-opportunities/help-with-your-rent/covid-19-rental-assistance.

Those signing up to receive information does not signify an application for the program.