California Won't Extend Eviction Moratorium

State lawmakers did not extend the state's eviction ban, which ends on September 30, putting the future of hundreds of thousands of households in jeopardy.

2 minute read

September 16, 2021, 11:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


San Francisco Apartments

Francesca Cappa / Flickr

According to California's state Assembly Housing chairperson, the state's "eviction protections will almost certainly not be extended once they expire after Sept. 30," reports Manuela Tobias.

While some lawmakers believe tenant protections should be extended, "the political appetite just isn’t there to act" before the end of the legislative session. "The current round of eviction protections were extended on June 25, just days before they were set to expire. At that point, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said he hoped the economy would be in full swing so that another moratorium would not be necessary."

Although unlikely, Governor Newsom "could still call a special legislative session to extend protections before the end of the month, or issue an executive order as he did at the beginning of the pandemic to pause court proceedings relating to evictions."

Landlord groups support the decision. According to Sid Lakireddy, a board member of the California Rental Housing Association, said "I think the legislators are starting to get it as well. This can’t go on at infinity."

Meanwhile, distribution of rental assistance funds still lags, and California families owe a cumulative $2.8 billion in back rent. "Existing law has some stopgaps that, in theory, should prevent the tsunami of evictions tenant advocates and researchers have predicted," but "tenant advocates are leery" of a stopgap that relies on courts. Francisco Dueñas, executive director of Housing Now!, a tenant advocacy group, says "a lot of people don’t respond to a court notice. They just move."

Thursday, September 9, 2021 in CALmatters

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

5 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Chicago with river in foreground.

Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan

The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.

May 8, 2025 - CBS News Chicago

Close-up on e-scooters parked in painted designated parking area on city street.

E-Scooter Parking: A Guide

How smart planning — and ample designated parking — can end conflicts over shared scooters.

2 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Aerial view of Bozeman, Montana with mountains in background.

‘It’s Been 50 years’: Public Transit Law Passes in Montana

Legislation would fix transportation district issue, allow for greater reach on city bus routes.

3 hours ago - Daily Montanan

Illustration of nighttime city with white lines connecting nodes to illustrate technology and connectivity

Top 10 Tech-Ready Cities

An index ranks U.S. cities based on their preparedness for the ‘smart city future.’

4 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive