The City of San Diego's Rent Relief Proposal—5 Things To Consider
Photo credit: PicMonkey Pro.
San Diego’s City Council will have a final vote on next year’s on June 8th at 11am, and with that comes debate over rent relief for the thousands of struggling households in our communities.
Even the most generous proposals will likely only be a drop in the bucket, but we push for the most help for the most people with the most need.
Here are a few important things to know as budget discussions begin:
The rent relief fund is vital to keeping San Diego residents sheltered. Nationwide, 20% of renters could not pay their rent in May. Assuming similar numbers in SD, just helping 20% of San Diego renters for one month would cost $90 million, so the $61.9 million proposed is definitely merited.
2/3 of SD renters are low-income, which means they are that much more likely to become homeless if rent relief isn’t provided. Many have no assets, savings, or a network of family and friends to provide them with money.
No affordable housing renters should be left out of this fund because many make less than 30% of the current AMI, and they are in affordable housing because they very much need it.
Because there isn’t enough money to protect all needy renters, they need to be protected from eviction by extending the eviction moratorium as it is in the rest of the state – 90 days after the state of emergency is lifted by the governor.
Provide tenant counseling and legal representation to help renters stay in their homes.
Photo credit: PicMonkey Pro.
Perhaps the most important thing to emphasize right now, though, is that funding for this rent relief should come from city, state, and federal COVID relief funds. They are rainy day funds meant to help in exactly this situation and should absolutely not be used to increase and augment law enforcement.
Since the pandemic started, the crime rate has decreased and we believe that an increase in law enforcement is both unnecessary and harmful to the public and particularly communities of color.
To support struggling neighbors, you can help cover a month’s rent and keep families safely in their homes by donating here. Friends of our community have already given enough to help keep hundreds in their homes as they figure out next steps. It’s proven over and over again that a small, one-time grant can make a huge difference for people. Please donate here!
Please also contact your city Council Representative to express your support for rent relief! Find that information here.
A vacated bedroom. Photo credit: Sia Moore.