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Anti-Eviction Ordinance on 3/26 agenda

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2020 2:06 pm
by Greg Casar
Colleagues,

I greatly appreciate all the work everyone has done to ensure Austin residents are taken care of during this local disaster.

I am sponsoring Item 90 on this week’s agenda, along with the Mayor, MPT Garza, and CM Tovo, that is an emergency anti-eviction ordinance. The ordinance will provide tenants who are unable to pay April and May rent due to lost income an additional 60 days to pay their rent.
https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/docum ... ?id=337799

I look forward to our meeting on Thursday. I understand that this could potentially pass on consent, and if it requires discussion or debate, I'll ask that we still vote for this on Thursday, given the time-sensitive nature of these protections before April 1st rent is due.

-Greg

Re: Anti-Eviction Ordinance on 3/26 agenda

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2020 3:53 pm
by Ann Kitchen
Thank you CM Casar

As we discussed, please add my name as a co-sponsor.

Best Regards
Ann Kitchen
City Council D5

Re: Anti-Eviction Ordinance on 3/26 agenda

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 11:08 am
by Greg Casar
Thank you, CM Kitchen, for your support. We'll add your name as a co-sponsor.

-Greg

Re: Anti-Eviction Ordinance on 3/26 agenda

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 3:28 pm
by Jimmy Flannigan
CM Casar et al.,

Thank you for bringing the ordinance change during this unprecedented moment. It is critical for our efforts to keep our economy afloat that people stay housed as we get through this as a City. I am however, interested to know if there is any consideration or provision for folks whose income is not affected by the crisis? The ability for smaller property owners to survive floating 60-days may rely upon the rent payments from tenants that still have income. Maybe there can be a mechanism included that can address this?

Re: Anti-Eviction Ordinance on 3/26 agenda

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 4:02 pm
by Greg Casar
Thank you for this question, CM Flannigan. This ordinance only applies to "impacted tenants" which is defined as a tenant who loses wages or income during the local disaster. I hope this addresses your concern.

-Greg

Re: Anti-Eviction Ordinance on 3/26 agenda

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2020 8:44 am
by Greg Casar
Colleagues,

Here is an updated version of Item 90. I have made non-substantive edits and included required language for the notice. http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 083544.pdf

Looking forward to our meeting today.
-Greg

Re: Anti-Eviction Ordinance on 3/26 agenda

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2020 1:22 pm
by Alison Alter
Colleagues,

Thank you for your work on this issue. It's an important matter we must address and with limited tools I believe this will help address some of our challenges. However, it would be helpful if we also could consider and address the ripple effect of this issue on landlords operating on small margins who may depend on rental income for their livelihood and whose family may also be impacted by this crisis. I've been contacted by some landlords asking for help in better understanding how the City can communicate the obligations and options available to them. Large commercial landlords may have the resources and connections to know what options are available to them - both for adhering to the resolution and to access economic relief - but our smaller scale property owners may need help. I'd welcome thoughts from the item co-sponsors on what resources or implementation guidance we can provide to landlords. Otherwise, I will communicate with the City Manager to hear whether he can address providing guidance and support to landlords as he implements this resolution.

Regards,
Alison Alter