Private Eviction Moratorium

Dear Editor,

Shame on the three Alameda County Supervisors (e.g. Brown, Carson, and Valle) who voted on 07/19/22 to hold the discussion “privately” to avoid discussing any modifications or possible ending of the county-wide eviction moratorium. According to the editorial submitted by the two dissenting Supervisors Miley & Haubert (Forum 07/27/22), placing the moratorium on the agenda “would have simply allowed the public an opportunity to be heard and to ask questions.” As county officials elected to “SERVE THE PUBLIC,” one has to ask “WHY” the three supervisors voted to shut down an opportunity to hear what their constituents had to say on the matter.

In contrast, a shout out is due to Supervisors Nate Miley & David Haubert for their efforts in trying to publicly agendize a discussion to review the moratorium and also for acknowledging the fact that “individuals capable of paying rent who refuse to do so” exists. The moratorium was initially implemented to protect the vulnerable, but unfortunately, devious individuals have abused it for their own gain. Placing the moratorium on the agenda would have allowed all five supervisors to hear the testimonies from individuals unfairly & negatively impacted. My friend personally knows of a blue-collar, senior couple who saved for decades in order to finally purchase a modest house. Hoping to earn some retirement income, they moved themselves into the basement studio and rented out the entire upstairs to a family. However, the senior couple hasn’t received a single penny of rent since Jan’20 from the “renting family.” Not only has the senior couple continued to pay the mortgage & property taxes, but also ALL the utility expenses, including those accrued by the family living upstairs. The “tenants” have been living rent-free for over two years for reasons unrelated to Covid-19, received rental assistance payments, and have threatened the senior couple. These “tenants” are NOT who the moratorium was intended to help. As Supervisors Miley and Haubert pointed out, failure to make prudent changes now to the moratorium would expose all ALCo taxpayers (i.e. you and I) to end up paying for huge financial damages from lawsuits, thus diverting resources from those who really need assistance. I urge you to let Supervisors Brown, Carson, & Valle know that “private” discussions on matters that affect the entire county are NOT ACCEPTABLE. How many OTHER issues are they refusing to put on the public agenda?

–Aileen Chong-Jeung, Castro Valley