As the coronavirus pandemic drags on, we find ourselves in a strange place where although we’re getting closer to better days, many other areas are still experiencing a surge in the virus. As things should continue to normalize over the next several months to a year or so, one thing is certain: We will be working to fix what’s left of the mess for the next several years. One issue we will continue to hear about is housing rental debt. For a number of reasons, it is important to evaluate the situation as it comes and adjust strategies accordingly. 

A federal relief package has recently passed and local governments in California have begun to approve extended protections in the form of small moratorium extensions and rental assistance program funding. While there is likely more federal help on the way, nobody is sure how and when assistance will come, hence the incremental changes for now. However, California––more specifically, Los Angeles––simply cannot afford a situation which could cause a drastic increase in its homeless population. Los Angeles city officials were under tremendous pressure to better address the issues here before the pandemic. Now, with the possibility of increased evictions, we will be forced to decide how to best approach this. As it is, Los Angeles County will be skipping their annual count of persons experiencing homelessness. 

In my experience, one of the most common reasons people are evicted for non-payment is because something unfortunate happened to cause them to fall behind or they simply didn’t make enough to afford the bills. and also come up with a new deposit, 1st, last month’s rent or whatever is required to move to a new home. When people are forced to vacate the premises, some do not know where they are going to go, and oftentimes will be entering an unstable situation. Even for people who are eligible for rental assistance, or UI, among others, and won’t face eviction moving forward - the additional months of back rent for some people could still present a problem.

It is uncertain whether public assistance will completely fulfill the need after the pandemic ceases. Regardless of funding or grants awarded to help renters and landlords, there will ultimately be some people who slip through the cracks and end up evicted or in significant debt. In coming up with solutions we must balance the interests of addressing issues relating to the pandemic and not wanting to go too deeply into the debt of bailing ourselves out.

I imagine there may have to be some compromise between public assistance and self-help to repay these accumulated debts. While this will be doable for many, some may see permanent changes to the availability of work and continue to face a difficult financial period. California in particular needs to monitor the situation very closely, as it already attracts homeless folks from other parts of the country. It seems we will soon be a lot closer to planning long-term solutions, and hopefully, by mid-year, we will have a clearer picture of what that will look like. However, planning what will happen whenever the moratoriums lift will be the most important factor.