35 - Laserfiche WebLink

BACKGROUND COVID-19 The novel (new) coronavirus ("COVID-19"), which causes severe acute respiratory illness, was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 30, 2020. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, on January 31, 2020, declared a national Public Health Emergency, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Center (CDC) considers COVID-19 to be a very serious public health and safety threat ranging from mild sickness to severe illness and death. On March 4, 2020, Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency in the State of California due the growing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in California. Then on March 16, 2020, the Alameda County Director of Emergency Services also declared a local emergency, based on increasing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the county. On March 17, 2020, the Pleasanton City Manager, acting as the Director of Emergency Services, also proclaimed the existence of a local emergency within the City. Impacts of COVID-19 To adhere to the health guidelines of social distancing, which includes self-isolation and self-quarantine, from federal, state, and local authorities, all but "essential" businesses, as defined by the public health orders, were closed. This has resulted in a high number of layoffs statewide and countywide, but also in Pleasanton. On March 26, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) reported an all-time high of 3,280,000 unemployment application fillings for unemployment insurance. In the week ending May 16, 2020, there were 2,438,000 initial unemployment claims. Furthermore, with almost all schools closed, parents have had to care for their children at home, and the need to provide daycare often times prevent parents from working even if their workplaces are open. Consequently, Pleasanton residents have seen their household income significantly reduced since the Shelter in Place (SIP) order were issued and extended. This reduction in household income, undoubtedly, leaves many Pleasanton residents unable to afford to pay their rent and at risk of losing their homes and/or being displaced from the Pleasanton community. DISCUSSION The proposed COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program ("ERAP") has the objective of mitigating potential homelessness and displacement of existing Pleasanton residents who are experiencing a decrease in household income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and thus, unable to pay their rent. ERAP would provide a grant to assist eligible tenants unable to pay rent due to a loss of income related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Program assistance would pay for delinquent rent only, and payment would be paid directly to the landlords. Applicant Eligibility Eligible program participants must: • Be current residents of Pleasanton with a valid residential lease with a third-party landlord for at least 6 continuous months; Page 2 of 5