COVID-19: Housing Fallout_Broadcast

As the economic fallout from COVID-19 continues its devastating toll, where people live has become an added worry for millions. We hear from Daniel Yukelson, Exec. Director of AAGLA (The Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles) and Lupe Arreola, Executive Director of Tenants Together.
SCRIPT: AS THE ECONOMIC FALLOUT FROM COVID-19 CONTINUES ITS DEVASTATING TOLL, WHERE PEOPLE LIVE HAS BECOME AN ADDED WORRY FOR MILLIONS.

WITH JOB LOSSES AT RECORD PROPORTIONS AND MANY LIVING PAYCHECK-TO-PAYCHECK, NOT BEING ABLE TO PAY THE RENT, IS A DIFFICULT REALITY.

TENANTS AND LANDLORDS ALIKE ARE NAVIGATING THE UNCERTAINTY OF RENTAL PAYMENTS.

(((SOT: DANIEL YUKELSON, EXEC. DIR./AAGLA)))

LOCAL JURISDICTIONS GOVERN RENTAL POLICIES AND IN SOME CITIES, AUTHORITIES HAVE ISSUED RENT FREEZES.

EVEN BEFORE MANDATED RENT FREEZES, SOME LANDLORDS CHOSE TO STEP UP ON THEIR OWN.

BROOKLYN'S MARIO SALERNO WAIVING RENT IN APRIL FOR EACH OF HIS 200 TENANTS.

SOT: MARIO SALERNO/BROOKLYN LANDLORD
“I HAD TENANTS WHO SAID THEY CAN'T WORK. THEY DIDN'T HAVE MONEY TO PAY ME. I SAID JUST DON'T WORRY ABOUT PAYING ME. WORRY ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBOR. WORRY ABOUT YOUR FAMILY."

IN CALIFORNIA, THE GOVERNOR HAS ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TEMPORARILY HALTING EVICTIONS FOR AFFECTED TENANTS.

HOUSING ACTIVISTS SAY THE ORDER IS HELPFUL, BUT LANDLORDS CAN STILL ISSUE EVICTION NOTICES, EVEN IF THEY CAN'T ENFORCE THEM.

SOT: LUPE ARREOLA, EXEC. DIR./TENANTS TOGETHER
"YOU'RE SITLL FACING AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF STRESS WHICH THE GOVERNOR CAN ACTUALLY ALLEVIATE BY SAYING, YOU KNOW WHAT, ALL EVICTION ACTIONS INCLUDING GIVING NOTICES IS CURRENTLY PROHIBITED UNTIL THIS STATE OF EMERGENCY IS LIFTED."

BOTH TENANTS AND LANDLORDS SEEM TO AGREE; A CONCRETE PLAN NEEDS TO BE PUT IN PLACE TO HELP EASE THE UNCERTAINTY.

(((SOT: DANIEL YUKELSON)))

SOT: LUPE ARREOLA
10:18 "FIRST GET INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THE RIGHTS ARE // BUTT WITH// BEFORE THEY INCUR THAT KIND OF STRESS OR FEAR OVER BEING DISPLACED."