HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2020.09.03 - 33627MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION, #20347
BY: Commissioners Janet Jackson, District #21; Angela Powell, District #10, Helaine Zack, District #18;
Marcia Gershenson, District #13; Penny Luebs, District #16; David Woodward, District #19
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING RENTERS FROM EVICTION
AND FEES ACT
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS even before the COVID-19 pandemic, 25% of renters had housing costs greater than half of
their income; and
WHEREAS families already financially-burdened are now facing increased economic vulnerability due to
COVID-19; and
WHEREAS housing is a human right and a public health necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS the U.S. Congress recognized that fact when it included a federal eviction moratorium in the
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act); and
WHEREAS however, that moratorium only covered approximately 30% of renters, and it expired on July
24, 2020; and
WHEREAS on June 29, 2020, S. 4097 - the Protecting Renters from Eviction and Fees Act (Act) was
introduced; and
WHEREAS the Act would extend and expand the eviction moratorium for renters that ended on July 24,
2020; and
WHEREAS it would also ensure renters will not lose their housing if they experience economic hardship
during this crisis and need additional time to make their housing payments; and
WHEREAS furthermore, it would extend the federal eviction moratorium to March 27, 2021, one year after
the date of enactment of the CARES Act, and expands the moratorium to cover substantially all renters;
and
WHEREAS the Act also would prohibit fees, fines, and extra charges due to nonpayment of rent; and
WHEREAS on August 8, 2020, the President signed the executive order which offers some mitigation
measures, but it falls short of extending the moratorium included in the CARES Act; and
WHEREAS it only instructs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) to "consider" whether temporarily banning residential evictions is 'reasonably
necessary" to further prevent the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS eviction is destabilizing for individuals and families and can have a negative impact on health,
economic security, and the ability to access housing in the future; and
WHEREAS eviction also puts families at risk of homelessness, which increases their vulnerability to
contracting COVID-19; and
WHEREAS experts are warning that ending the moratorium now could lead to "an avalanche of evictions"
as Americans continue to face high unemployment rates; and
WHEREAS the latest U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey finds that 30% of renters have no or
little confidence they can make their next housing payment; and
WHEREAS the COVID-19 crisis Is far from over. The implications for housing instability, an impending
tsunami of evictions, and the devastation of homelessness are only growing.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby supports
S. 4097 - the Protecting Renters from Eviction and Fees Act.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners urges the U.S. Congress
to pass the Protecting Renters from Eviction and Fees Act to help mitigate the hardship many Americans
continue to or will experience due to the economic ramifications of the COVID-19 crisis.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is requested to forward
copies of the adopted resolution to the President of the United States, the Secretary of the United States
Department of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
the U.S. Senate Majority and Minority Leaders, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
Chairperson, I move the adoption ofregoing resolution.
C��issroner Janet J�&son Commissioner Angela Powell
District #21 District #10
Comm arcia Gershenson
District #13
Commissioner Helaintkack
District #18
(�10J
Commissioner David Woodward
Dis ct #19
�sCommiso ,fir Penny Luebs
District #1`
Resolution #20347
August 20, 2020
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the Health, Safety and Human Services Committee. There were
no objections.
Resolution #20347 September 3, 2020
Moved by Jackson seconded by Luebs the resolution be adopted.
Moved by Kochenderfer seconded by Hoffman the resolution be amended as follows:
Insert the following language to the NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: NOW THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby supports S. 4097 -
the Protecting Renters from Eviction and Fees Act..-, provided that property owners affected by
this legislation can get appropriate tax relief.
Discussion followed.
Vote on amendment:
AYES: Kuhn, Long, Middleton, Spisz, Taub, Weipert, Gingell, Hoffman, Kowall,
Kochenderfer. (10)
NAYS: Luebs, Markham, McGillivray, Miller, Nelson, Powell, Quarles, Woodward, Zack,
Gershenson, Jackson. (11)
A sufficient majority not having voted in favor, the amendment failed.
Discussion followed.
The Chairperson addressed the Board to call a recess at 6:58 p.m.
The Chairperson addressed the Board to reconvene at 7:09 p.m.
Roll call:
PRESENT: Long, Luebs, Markham, McGillivray, Middleton, Miller, Nelson, Powell, Quarles, Spisz,
Taub, Weipert, Woodward, Zack, Gershenson, Gingell, Hoffman, Jackson, Kochenderfer, Kowall,
Kuhn . (21)
EXCUSED ABSENCE WITH NOTICE: None. (0)
Moved by Taub seconded by Middleton the resolution be amended as follows:
Amending the resolution by inserting the following after the 2nd BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Board of Commissioners urges that a provision be included
in the legislation requiring that all tenants who receive the protection from eviction and
associated fees sign a document provided by the landlord acknowledging their responsibility to
pay deferred rent and fees due at the end of the moratorium period.
Discussion followed.
Vote on amendment:
AYES: Middleton, Spisz, Taub, Weipert, Gingell, Hoffman, Kowall, Kochenderfer, Kuhn,
Long. (10)
NAYS: Luebs, Markham, McGillivray, Miller, Nelson, Powell, Quarles, Woodward, Zack,
Gershenson, Jackson. (11)
A sufficient majority not having voted in favor, the amendment failed.
Vote on resolution, as presented:
AYES: Markham, McGillivray, Miller, Nelson,
Gershenson, Jackson, Luebs. (12)
NAYS: Middleton, Spisz, Taub, Gingell, Hoffman,
Powell, Quarles, Weipert, Woodward, Zack,
Kowall, Kochenderfer, Kuhn, Long. (9)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolution, as presented, was adopted.
�Q �L
I HEREBY APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION
CHIEF DEPUTY COUNTY EXECUTIVE
ACTING PURSUANT TO MCL 45.559A (7)
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, Lisa Brown, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and
accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on September 3,
2020, with the original record thereof now remaining in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Circuit Court at Pontiac,
Michigan this 3rd day of September, 2020.
/64
Lisa Brown, Oakland County