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Dear San Luis Obispo Council Members,
Please write a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom or pass a Resolution to enact a comprehensive Rent and Mortgage
Relief Program immediately. Under our current conditions, we need a comprehensive approach that meets the needs of
renters, mortgage holders, and small business owners alike. We are not asking for a one size fits all approach such as
rent cancellation, but urge you to contact the Governor to enact an emergency order to address these issues holistically
and immediately. Waiting for the legislation that the California Apartment Association recommends does not address
the crisis many are already facing, and many more will face on May 1st. The plan outlined below has been vetted by the
Western Center on Law and Poverty and meets constitutional tests.
Please urge Governor Newsom,California state legislators,and our U.S.Senators and Representatives to
enact comprehensive legislation to protect all residents,tenants,homeowners,and small businesses from
the adverse health,safety,and economic impacts of this coronavirus pandemic.This includes,but is not
limited to, the following:
●Creation of emergency direct assistance programs for rent and mortgage payments and other
housing-related expenses such as utilities, property taxes, and insurance;
●Requiring banks and financial institutions to suspend rent and mortgage collections;
●Creation of emergency grant programs to small businesses and nonprofits; and
●Creation of emergency programs that provide homes and expanded services for people experiencing
homelessness.
Please encourage Governor Newsom,California state legislators,and our U.S.Senators and Representatives
to demand that banks and other financial institutions suspend mortgage payments,foreclosures,and late
fees for low-income homeowners and landlords,with immediate forgiveness,and to provide zero-interest
emergency unsecured loans and grants to small businesses and non-profits that are unable to meet rent,
mortgage,or other fixed operating costs.Finally,credit rating agencies must be prohibited from
downgrading ratings based on inability to pay bills during the pandemic.
Thank you.
Allies For Immigration Justice Bend the Arc: SLO
Cal Poly College Democrats Democratic Socialists of America-SLO
Gay and Lesbian Alliance:SLO Indivisible SLO Rapid Response Team
RACE Matters SLO SLO County YIMBY
SLO Progressives Sunrise Movement SLO
Women’s March SLO