60A - EXECUTIVE ORDERS FOR COVID-19

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Discuss Executive Orders Issued Pursuant to Declaration of Local COVID-19 Emergency May 5, 2020 Page 2 who cannot pay their water and sewer bills, prohibits late fees for non-payment and provides protections against certain parking violations. The effective periods for these regulations are set forth in Exhibit 2. Executive Order No 2-2020 (Order No. 2) does the following: (1) extends the effective dates of various land use approvals, such as conditional use permits and temporary display permits; (2) extends administrative hearing dates and appeal deadlines; (3) authorizes relocation of business operations to accommodate homeless shelters or emergency housing facilities; and (4) prohibits rent increases for residential tenants. The effective periods for these regulations are set forth in Exhibit 2. The temporary rent freeze is effective through May 31, 2020 or to a later date if there are any statewide orders issued that place a freeze on rent increases for a longer period of time. Executive Order No. 3-2020 (Order No. 3) requires employees to wear face coverings if they are providing essential services and it strongly encourages retail and business operators serving the public to require customers to wear face coverings. Order No. 3 is effective through May 31, 2020, unless extended by the City. The City circulated public notices related to each Executive Order and has placed FAQs, sample letters, and information related to these Executive Orders on the City's COVID-19 information website (www.santa-ana.org/covid19). Community Development Agency and Code Enforcement staff have also disseminated information on who to contact to answer questions or take complaints regarding violations of the regulations. Summary of Temporary Measure to Prohibit Rent Increases on Residential Properties Order No. 2 provides various protections to Santa Ana residents and businesses, including a temporary, residential rent freeze. Prior to issuing Order No. 2, staff researched whether other cities had adopted similar prohibitions. The research revealed that at the time, at least five cities had adopted rent freezes and several others were considering similar measures (Exhibit 3). While Santa Ana might be the only charter city without a rent control ordinance to impose the temporary rent freeze, Order No. 2 contained strong findings to support the protection of Santa Ana residents who pay rent to landlords. The temporary rent prohibition is not a rent control ordinance, it does not include any of the far-ranging regulations of a rent control ordinance, and it is temporary in nature. Furthermore, at the time it was issued, it was consistent with the California Apartment Association's position as communicated to its members as advice not to increase rents through May 31, 2020: CAA continues to urge property owners across the state to abide by its Safe at Home Guidelines by committing to the following through May 31, 2020: Freeze rents on all residents & pledge to not issue any rent increases. Halt evictions on renters affected by COVID-19, absent extraordinary circumstances. Waive late fees for residents who pay rent after the rent due date because they have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and related government actions. Offer flexible payment plans for residents who cannot pay rent by the due date. Direct renters to available resources to assist with food, health, and financial assistance. Communicate with residents proactively that you are available to assist them and want to work with them to ensure they remain housed. California Apartment Association Communications Opposing Temporary Rent Increases 60A-2