Above, supporters of the eviction moratorium held signs that read “Keep LB Families #HomeForTheHolidays” throughout the meeting. Photos by Carlos Villicana.
When Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1482 into law, he ratified a rent cap that limits increases of rent to no more than 5%, plus inflation, per year. This also ignited a domino effect.
Los Angeles, Pasadena, Torrance and many other cities across California have declared emergency eviction moratoriums to prevent evictions without “just cause,” and now Long Beach joins them.
The item was discussed and voted on at two Long Beach City Council meetings on Nov. 5 and Nov. 12, drawing many community members to share their own experiences and fears of eviction, especially during the holiday season.
After many comments from the public, the emergency ordinance was signed by Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia and went into effect on the night of the second vote. The temporary eviction moratorium will stand until Dec. 31, one day before AB 1482 takes effect on Jan. 1.
The photos below were shot during the Nov. 5 Long Beach City Council meeting.
Marlene Alvarado, a Long Beach landlord, declared support for the eviction moratorium. She described evicting members of the community as “callous” and likened the practice to something Ebenezer Scrooge, a character from “A Christmas Carol” known for hoarding wealth, would do.
A few of the green and red signs held up by supporters of the eviction moratorium were in Spanish.
At the Nov. 2 city council meeting, Karen Reside of the Long Beach Gray Panthers referred to eviction as “elder abuse.” She said the eviction moratorium is a good first step but more work to protect tenants is required.
Speaking in favor of the eviction moratorium, 1st Council District resident Martha Cota said that she would move to the Civic Center if she were to be evicted. Cota attempted to speak after her public comment time finished but had her microphone turned off.
Though most of the public supporting the eviction moratorium held red or green #HomeForTheHolidays signs, others had unique signs, such as one that read, “Don’t give us the boot, let us grow our roots.”
Vice Mayor Dee Andrews commended members of the public for sharing their stories about housing issues in Long Beach at the Nov. 5 city council meeting.
Members of the public awaited the Long Beach City Council’s vote on drafting a local eviction moratorium ordinance to be voted on Nov. 12.
