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Committee advances temporary "Pause Eviction, Save Lives" measure after marathon public hearing
Summary
After several hours of public testimony from hundreds of residents, mutual-aid organizers and housing providers, the Supercommittee approved sending a temporary ordinance to the full Council that would extend pre-eviction filing notice from 30 to 60 days through Aug. 31; the measure passed committee by 7-5-1.
Following a multi-hour public hearing that drew scores of residents, mutual-aid organizers and several affordable-housing providers, the Supercommittee advanced a temporary ordinance that would extend the pre-eviction filing notice period from 30 to 60 days for six months (through Aug. 31).
Lead author Council Member Robin Wonsley framed the proposal as an interim protection to give residents and mutual-aid networks more time to secure rental assistance while state and philanthropic funds are mobilized. Co-author Council Member Jamal Stevenson said the extension is intended to avert a surge of evictions that could follow the displacement and economic disruption tied to Operation Metro Surge. Wonsley said the measure is "the least the city can do" and described community mutual-aid fundraising that has already delivered millions in emergency rent relief.
The policy provoked a split record: dozens of advocates and neighbors urged immediate protection and more time for funds to be disbursed, while several large affordable-housing providers (Project for Pride in Living, CommonBond, Catholic Charities and others) cautioned that adding notice time absent adequate, immediately available rental assistance can increase unpaid rent balances and risk providers' financial stability. After extended debate the committee passed a motion to advance the ordinance (7 ayes, 5 nays, 1 abstention). The item will return to the full Council for final action.
