No one should have to choose between paying for necessities like food and medicine or making rent, especially as we grapple with COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic has cost thousands the jobs they need to pay the bills. San José and Santa Clara County have banned evictions so families are not forced out of their homes, but people still have to pay back rent after this crisis ends.
Three months of back rent for the average 2-bedroom apartment in San José would be $8,250 — the equivalent of 14 weeks of work for someone making minimum wage — on top of trying to keep up with current rent. Unless we take action, thousands will face crushing debt or mass evictions in the coming months.
San José Councilmembers Carrasco and Peralez have proposed an emergency rent pause for 90 days, so families who have lost their livelihoods would not have to repay rent they could never afford.
In recent weeks, mortgage payment relief programs have been announced giving many landlords options to protect themselves. Now, the City Council must extend similar protections to renters by passing a rent pause.