For Immediate Release: March 24, 2022

Media Contact: Michelle.Sherwood@sen.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) released the following statement after her bill, Senate Bill 847—The Homeowner’s Relief Act passed the Senate Housing Committee 8-0:

“I am pleased that with the passing of the Homeowners Relief Act, California is one step closer to alleviating the impacts the COVID-19 pandemic had on housing,” said Senator Hurtado. “Housing remains a human security issue, and we are entering a particularly difficult period as prices of housing, food and gas continue to sky rocket, and average Californians struggle to make ends meet. Finding ways to provide support and help alleviate some of these issues should be at the forefront of our policy focus.”

SB 847—The Homeowners Relief Act—will close the coverage gap for tenants and homeowners who have applied and been rejected from the state rental assistance program or do not yet qualify. As of July 2021, more than 1.8 million homeowners were behind on their mortgages, many of which own rental property. SB 847 will establish a grant program administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development, which will allow funds to be distributed to homeowner applicants.

While the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program has provided $5.2 billion to California to pay rent for low-income tenants who have been unable to pay their rent, the program only provides rental relief for tenants who make 80% of the area median income—leaving many homeowners without support or assistance.

About Senator Melissa Hurtado

Senator Melissa Hurtado represents a new generation of Latina leaders as the youngest woman ever elected to the California State Senate and a product of immigrant parents. Senator Hurtado represents the 14th Senate District and focuses on rural community issues that often go unheard — access to clean air and water, food insecurity and poverty, inequities in environmental policies, agriculture and access to health care. In July 2020, she was appointed to the national Biden Latino Leadership Committee alongside former Labor Secretary and current Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis – the only two California Latinas on the Committee.

For more information, visit Senator Hurtado’s Website here or find her on Twitter at @Senator_Hurtado

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