Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to extend protections for renters and homeowners affected by firestorms in the Los Angeles area. The order aims to maintain state price gouging restrictions on rental housing, hotels, and short-term accommodations. It also extends support for survivors staying in temporary housing and prioritizes those experiencing homelessness for state-funded housing.

"As the Los Angeles community continues to recover and rebuild, the state remains steadfast in its commitment to providing targeted relief and assistance. Today I am issuing an executive order to further ensure that survivors are protected from exploitation and can access housing they need," stated Governor Newsom.

The executive order extends several existing orders that were nearing expiration. It seeks to facilitate immediate access to housing while protecting tenants from potential exploitation.

Key provisions of the order include extending price gouging protections on rental properties until July 1, 2025. This includes prohibitions against evicting tenants to relist rentals at higher rates, with certain exemptions for large homes in high-value zip codes not recently available on the market. Newly constructed housing is exempted from these restrictions to allow pricing flexibility due to higher financing costs.

Additionally, the suspension of laws classifying occupants of temporary accommodations as tenants after 30 days is extended, giving individuals more time to secure alternative housing.

The order also prioritizes fire survivors experiencing homelessness by placing them higher on waiting lists for qualifying state-funded housing, aligning with federal emergency response practices.

Moreover, it supports rebuilding efforts in two commercial corridors in Altadena to restore small businesses and community spaces affected by fires.