Leah Simon-Weisberg

Berkeley’s COVID-19 eviction moratorium expired Thursday, ending more than three years of eviction protections for tenants economically impacted by the pandemic. 

Berkeley’s eviction moratorium expired the end of April and entered its transition period, which will last until Aug. 31.

Berkeley Police Accountability Board Vice Chair Nathan Mizell is running for the city’s Rent Stabilization Board.

Berkeley City Council discussed the adoption of a ballot measure Tuesday that would amend the Rent Stabilization and Eviction for Good Cause Ordinance.

California tenants who have already applied for the state’s rental assistance program cannot be evicted if they’ve applied before March 31, states AB 2179, a bill approved by the California State Assembly on Monday. 

“Every time a tenant moves out, the landlords can raise the rent or whatever they want,” Berkeley’s Rent Stabilization Board chair Leah Simon-Weisberg said. “Ever since then, it just goes up and up.”

UC Berkeley students continue to struggle with housing insecurity as the COVID-19 pandemic brought on financial strain and limited housing.

Despite the statewide eviction moratorium coming to an end Sept. 30, Berkeley tenants will remain protected by a separate moratorium imposed by the city. 

Under a bill being considered by California lawmakers, landlords would need to own a property for at least five consecutive years before they can invoke the Ellis Act to evict sitting tenants from the property.

UC Berkeley has decided to proceed with the demolition of 1921 Walnut St., a rent-controlled apartment in Downtown Berkeley, in order to build transfer student housing.