Low-income renters face an increased risk of eviction after a natural disaster. Most cities and states don’t offer any protection.
A Sonoma County, California ordinance passed last month bars landlords from evicting tenants during weather disasters and other declared emergencies. The first-in-the-nation “disaster-triggered” moratorium aims to prevent waves of evictions similar to those that impacted residents in Florida during the 2021 hurricane season. The Sonoma ordinance is the result of activism from the region’s large agricultural worker community, who suffered after 2017’s Tubbs Fire.
In a Bloomberg CityLab article, Patrick Sisson explains how natural disasters lead to evictions. “Lack of internet access can cut off the ability to pay rent online, and those who evacuated can’t just drop off rent checks. Jobs are upended and schools close, putting childcare strains on working parents. And damage to homes and workplaces continue to exact a lingering economic toll on the afflicted area long after emergency response is completed.” Compounding the problem, a study found that rents go up by 4 percent to 6 percent in impacted areas, and evictions rise sharply.
Supporters of the Sonoma law hope it can be a model for other communities, particularly in vulnerable areas like south Texas and Florida.
FULL STORY: Should Evictions Be Banned After Hurricanes and Climate Disasters?
Evictions Surge as Protections End
With pandemic assistance funding running out, many U.S. renters face the threat of eviction, with families with children at a disproportionately high risk for losing their housing.
Sacramento Households Hit Hard by Evictions
With pandemic-era renter protections ending and rents rising by close to 20 percent, renters in Sacramento are finding it harder to afford housing in the region.
L.A. Tenants Hit With Sudden Rent Hikes Under 'Discounted Rent' Loophole
A legal loophole has allowed some Los Angeles landlords to sharply raise rents on apartments that would otherwise fall under the city's rent stabilization ordinance and pandemic-related rent freeze.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
.jpg){kind=link}
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service