Cities to evaluate rent, evictions

While none of them have done so yet, local cities in Humboldt County will evaluate housing costs after Gov. Gavin Newsom last week authorized cities around the state to halt evictions.

The global coronavirus pandemic has led to California-wide closures of non-essential businesses and services. It’s the state’s swing at preventing a large-scale outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

But the end of March is a week out, meaning those who lost income due to corona virus prompted shutdowns may still be expected to pay a full month’s rent. It’s a quagmire that local cities are preparing to address.

“Yes, my staff is working on an emergency ordinance that will address evictions and rent issues,” Eureka city manager Dean Lotter said in an email Tuesday. “We hope to have this ordinance in front of the council as soon as possible.”

Lotter didn’t respond to additional questions on how precisely the emergency ordinance will address rent and evictions. The city’s next regular council meeting is April 7, although a news release from the city said .

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom authorized cities by executive order to halt evictions, saying “people shouldn’t lose or be forced out of their home because of the spread of COVID-19.”

Arcata may also follow suit. After Humboldt County late last week ordered residents to shelter in place, Mayor Michael Winkler told the Times-Standard that the city council would soon hold a special meeting to discuss halting evictions.

“These are strange and challenging times,” Winkler said last week. “This virus has caused a large amount of illness and significant death, so our highest priority is public safety.”

In an email Tuesday, Diemer confirmed that the city is preparing for a special meeting this Thursday at 6 p.m., adding that the city will release an agenda “when we have the details in place.”

Newsom’s order will not relieve tenants from ever paying this month’s obligations, but rather prevent their evictions at a time when the state is urging people to stay indoors. The order also asks local banks to halt foreclosures, an effort to protect home-owners who fall behind on mortgage payments due to the virus.

It’s unclear if Fortuna will fol-