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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. Continued impacts of COVID-19 As California and the City of Pleasanton continue 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, remain closed. Per the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), as of the week of October 3rd, 2020, 51 states reported 10,232,853 individuals claiming Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Benefits, and 50 states reported 3,296,156 individuals claiming Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation. California currently has the second highest insured unemployment rate in the country at 11.5% only behind Hawaii's 14.9%. Furthermore, with schools remaining closed for in-person learning, parents continue to care for their children at home, and the need to provide daycare continue to prevent parents from working even if their workplaces are open. Consequently, Pleasanton residents continue to see their household income significantly reduced since the Shelter in Place (SIP) order continues to be extended. This reduction in household income, undoubtedly, is continuing to leave 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 Pleasanton's 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 has been providing grants to assist eligible tenants unable to pay rent due to a loss of income related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Program assistance pays for delinquent rent only, and payment is paid directly to the landlords. The City partnered with non-profit agency CityServe of the Tri-Valley (CityServe) to administer the program. Page 2 of 5