(The Center Square) – Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday issued an executive order to protect renters and homeowners hit hard by the Los Angeles County wildfires.
The governor’s office said the order:
Extends price gouging restrictions for rental housing, hotels and motels in the county until July 1. There are exemptions for large homes in zip codes with high fair market values that haven’t recently been on the rental market, which the governor’s office said will “help ensure they are available for rental during recovery efforts.” Newly constructed housing is also exempted in order to allow price flexibility to cover higher financing costs.Continues the suspension of laws that would classify occupants of hotels, motels and temporary housing as tenants after 30 days, which the governor’s office said gives them more time to find alternative housing.Gives priority to fire survivors who are homeless and are on waiting lists for state-funded housing for which they would otherwise qualify.Supports rebuilding two commercial corridors in Altadena, the unincorporated community outside Pasadena that was devastated by the Eaton Fire. The governor’s office said the goal is to support small businesses and restore the areas on Lake and Fair Oaks avenues to “their pre-fire character.”
“As the Los Angeles community continues to recover and rebuild, the state remains steadfast in its commitment to providing targeted relief and assistance,” Newsom said in a statement. “Today I am issuing an executive order to further ensure that survivors are protected from exploitation and can access housing they need.”
The governor on Feb. 4 ended an anti-price gouging provision that limited the supply rentals in higher-end Los Angeles neighborhoods where fire-displaced families were searching for homes.
