We Get Letters: United Caltrans Tenants Call on Caltrans to Suspend and Forgive Rent during COVID-19 Pandemic

United Caltrans Tenants, an advocacy group on behalf of tenants living in Caltrans-owned houses in the 710 Corridor, wrote the following open letter to John Bulinski, Caltrans District 7 Director, on March 25:

Dear Mr. Bulinski,

During this COVID-19 pandemic, we have witnessed the lack of safety nets for families in our area. Right now, more than ever, families need to shelter in place for their health and the health of others. We hope that you can use your power to provide a significant basic safety net by suspending and forgiving the rent for all Caltrans (District 7) tenants until this COVID-19 crisis has dissipated and tenants are able to return to work.

The Governor’s STAY HOME orders prevent tenants from earning the income they count on to pay their rent. Simply delaying payments, as has been suggested by the LA Mayor, giving people 6 months to pay back rents is unreasonable.
Once people return to work, most families will not be able to earn a sufficient amount to pay both current and back owed rent, as many of them earned just enough to make ends meet, before the crisis. After the crisis fallout, we may have even less income to work with.
We need a true suspension and forgiveness of all the rents, with rent obligations only resuming after tenants have had at least a month of earning family sustaining wages.

Other landlords are taking action. We implore you to be a leader in the rent relief movement. Exemplify for others what can be done to ameliorate this crisis.
Caltrans properties were paid for long ago, you have no mortgage to pay, and all non-essential maintenance has been halted in light of social distancing, thus you have no necessity to charge tenants rent during this state of emergency. Will you be on the right side of history? Our families and community members are counting on you! We also need an answer ASAP. Rents would need to be sent out soon to arrive in Sacramento on time. Please RESPOND within 24 hours.

Thank you!

In Solidarity With Our Community,
Members of United Caltrans Tenants (Local Chapter of the Los Angeles Tenants Union)
unitedcaltranstenantsinfo@gmail.com

Got something to say, email Managing Editor André Coleman, at andrec@pasadenanowmagazine.com