Sunday, December 22, 2024

Evictions, a time bomb for Californians

By MANUEL ORTIZ ESC EZ / Ethnic Media Services 

REDWOOD CITY, CA – Isabel P ez and her husband lost the two jobs they each have in San Francisco restaurants due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They owe three months of rent and, if the eviction moratorium ends on August 30 in San Francisco County, they will be forced to work in the same way. Saint Matthew does not spread, he will be left on the street with his ten-year-old son. 

About 6,900 people in the wealthy settlement of San Francisco Peninsula are in danger of losing their homes later this month. On August 21, approximately 100 people, including tenants and activists, demonstrated in the courtyard of the San Mateo County Center in Redwood City to call on county supervisors to San Mateo County an extension of the moratorium on evictions. 

Nazanin Salehi, attorney for the Community Legal Services Housing Program in East Palo Alto She said people of color are disproportionately facing eviction in San Mateo County. More than 4,100 households with children are facing eviction, she said, adding that children also stand to lose their schools once evicted as San Mateo County schools are largely shifting to remote learning during the pandemic. 

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the county is $2,700.