Mendocino Voice: As California’s pandemic eviction moratorium expires, many Mendocino County residents have already slipped through the cracks

MENDOCINO Co., 9/30/21 — California’s eviction moratorium, the longest moratorium in the country, meant to assist renters during the pandemic is ending. Through the COVID-19 rent relief program, California has paid more than $584 million dollars to renters and landlords with additional requests for assistance from the state totaling $2.2 billion. Nationally, there has been much ado about the housing crisis throughout the pandemic in urban areas. But meanwhile in rural communities like Mendocino County, the existing crisis in affordable housing is only getting worse, as an urban exodus from places like the Bay Area during the pandemic displaced long-term renters and residents, straining the local economy and community long-term.

In towns like Gualala, essential workers and longtime residents are being displaced at a rate that is alarming communities. Local healthcare providers are concerned, too, about the impact on public health as they see an increase of COVID-19 infections among those moving into shared housing, Those struggling to stay in their homes face other health issues as well as trying to protect themselves from COVID-19.