Tenancies: COVID-19 Tenant, Small Landlord, and Affordable Housing Provider Stabilization Act of 2021.

Existing law, the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act of 2020, establishes certain procedural requirements and limitations on evictions for nonpayment of rent due to COVID-19 rental debt, as defined. The act prohibits a tenant that delivers a declaration of COVID-19-related financial distress from being deemed in default with regard to the COVID-19 rental debt, as specified. Existing law defines COVID-19 rental debt as unpaid rent or any other unpaid financial obligation of a tenant that came due between March 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021. Existing law repeals the act on February 1, 2025. This bill would establish the Tenant, Small Landlord, and Affordable Housing Provider Stabilization Program. The bill would authorize the Director of Housing and Community Development to direct an existing office or program within the Department of Housing and Community Development to implement the program. The bill would establish in the State Treasury the COVID-19 Tenant, Small Landlord, and Affordable Housing Provider Stabilization Fund, and, upon appropriation by the Legislature, distribute all moneys in the fund to the department to carry out the purposes of the program. The bill would require the program be implemented only to the extent that funding is made available through the Budget Act. The bill would specify that it is the intent of the Legislature to prioritize the use of available federal funds before using General Fund moneys for the program.