[dropcap size=big]I[/dropcap]n a city where 50 percent of tenants are rent-burdened—paying 1/3 of their income in rent—and with restaurants, bars, events, and all gatherings of 10 or more people shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Angelenos are understandably worried about their ability to pay rent and make ends meet in the coming weeks and months.
For the average tenant, making sense of all this can be daunting. While there is currently no rent moratorium in place, the city attorney’s office could draft an ordinance by as early as tomorrow.
To alleviate concerns, last Tuesday, L.A.’s city council passed a motion to establish a city-wide moratorium on rent, during an unconventional and confusing eight-hour city council meeting that left the public outside on a 50-degree morning, while city officials met comfortably inside.