San Francisco just finally ended its mask mandate, but landlords still can’t collect rent
· Mar 1, 2023 · NottheBee.com

In some states, we've been living normally for well over two years. In California, things are a bit different.

Take San Francisco for instance. They just ended mask mandates on February 28, 2023, as the state of California ends its Covid public health emergency declaration.

However, at its meeting on February 28, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors decided to keep some of the Covid emergency rules in place:

The city's moratorium on evictions.

An ordinance passed by the Board of Supervisors protects tenants from eviction for nonpayment in perpetuity until the mayor ends the city's proclamation of emergency, which they say is separate from the state's declaration of emergency.

One landlord has gone on a hunger strike against the moratorium.

Jinyu Wu hasn't received rent for three years, and the tenant owes him $120,000 in unpaid rent (San Francisco's rent is unbelievably high).

Wu says that he can't pay his own bills because of the city's moratorium.

San Francisco has millions set aside to help renters and landlords, but the portal to apply for the aid has been broken since last year, and they're only making that available to those with a financial need anyway.

In the case of Wu, who has a renter with a $3,000+ per month apartment, the tenant doesn't qualify for the financial aid; they're just not paying because they don't have to, so Wu hasn't been able to access any of that relief.

Wu says he will continue his hunger strike until the city lifts its eviction moratorium, or he dies. He has diabetes and high blood pressure, so he's looking for a quick turnaround here.

How anyone continues living in draconian cities like this is beyond me.


Ready to join the conversation? Subscribe today.

Access comments and our fully-featured social platform.

Sign up Now
App screenshot

You must signup or login to view or post comments on this article.