The city of East Palo Alto will recommend Tuesday that the City Council continue anti-displacement tenant supports to keep people in their homes and apartments, especially after statewide eviction moratoriums have expired.
According to the staff report presented to the council, tenants in East Palo Alto continue to face the same challenges as they did during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic; the only difference now is that the same tenant protections, such as prohibiting eviction for nonpayment of rent, are no longer in place.
A little history: revenue from Measure O, approved by voters in 2016 as a tax on certain rental properties, went to agencies that help with anti-displacement services, the city said.
In 2019, Nuestra Casa, Jóvenes Unidos por la Acción Comunitaria, and East Palo Alto Community Legal Services submitted a joint proposal for eviction defense and tenant education and outreach.
These are called “Measure O Contract Organizations.” Their proposal was accepted in early 2020, directing the city manager to approve a one-year contract with the agencies for $279,088, with half the cost coming from Measure O funding and the rest from the city’s Rent Stabilization Program, the city said.
Then COVID-19 hit, intensifying the need for eviction protection and rent relief. Measure O contract organizations stepped up to assist with state-funded relief for tenants; the City Council received a report and overview of Measure O Contract accomplishments and activities in January.
Now that the moratoriums have expired, the city has compiled urgent community needs to present to the council. They include legal services for people facing eviction or displacement, tenant outreach in multiple languages to make sure people know their rights and what resources are available, case management, and direct financial and rental assistance.
City staff is requesting that the council authorize new requests for proposals for new Measure O facilitators to provide these services as contractors. The total amount allocated for these purposes would be $900,000 over two years, including $300,000 in direct rent and financial assistance for those in need.
The East Palo Alto City Council meets this Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. via video conference at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88620562049.
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