The City of East Palo Alto will recommend Tuesday that the City Council continue tenant anti-displacement 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 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, no longer exist.
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, Youth United for Community Action and East Palo Alto Community Legal Services submitted a joint proposal for eviction defense and tenant education and outreach.
These are referred to as "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; half of the cost would come from Measure O funding and the rest from the city's Revenue Stabilization Program, the city said.
Then came COVID-19, which intensified the need for eviction protection and rent relief. Measure O contract organizations volunteered to help with state-funded assistance 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 requests 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. by videoconference at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88620562049.
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