Can Governor Gavin Newsom Beat Housing Crisis Like He Beat the Recall?

 On Sept. 14, 2021, Californians sent a message: they wanted Newsom to stay Governor for a full term. Now, he must back the constituents who let him keep his position and fix the state's housing crisis.  

California's eviction moratorium is set to expire on Sept. 30. This means thousands across the state who cannot afford their rent prices will face eviction and homelessness in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Santa Monica Daily Press reported that within Santa Monica alone, 1,806 households were unable to pay rent, and made use of $28.6 million in public rent relief funds.

"This legislation is the single most important thing Newsom should do [to combat the housing crisis]," said Rohin Ghosh, a fair housing and tenants rights advocate from Northern California. "There are a lot of tenants who are still waiting on rent relief to get to them." He believes that those tenants are very vulnerable to homelessness, and that an eviction moratorium is the safety net keeping a roof over their heads.

Ghosh is correct when he says that funds will not reach housing insecure renters by the eviction moratorium expiration. According to a report directed to Gavin Newsom from state Auditor Elaine Howle, delays in federal processing raise doubts that the relief funds will reach tenants in time.

Newsom's signing of California SB 8, 9, and 10 approved housing projects and re-designated housing zones across the state. Those steps were important, but they won't nearly be enough. Still, the pro-housing legislation that Newsom approved during his first days since the recall election gives tenant advocates hope.

The best way for Newsom to ensure his constituents' safety is by making statewide efforts to keep people housed. California has long struggled with overwhelming homelessness. Over the pandemic, the state saw that unhoused populations were 30% more likely to die from COVID-19. In Los Angeles that is 50% more likely to occur. Obviously, one way they can help the unhoused is by providing vaccinations and healthcare.

However, the eviction moratorium is an integral step for both short and long term reassurance. It keeps financially struggling Californians safe under their own roof. While Newsom beat the 2021 recall effort, the 2022 general gubernatorial election will put him back on the campaign trail for governor. Unlike in 2021, 2022 will pit him against other, highly qualified same-party challengers in a primary.

Will Newsom show voters that he can help them avoid homelessness by taking important steps like extending the eviction moratorium? Or will he fail to rise to the same level of success in housing as his "vote no on the recall" campaign did? The answer is for him to show, and for voters to decide when the June 7, 2022 primary and Nov. 8 general election comes.

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