Supervisor Nate Miley says Alameda County's eviction moratorium is unconstitutional, a taking of private property

Health improving, Valle shows up to his supe job wearing uniform from his other job

COUNTY NEWS

Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley’s comments on Tuesday come as the county is facing two lawsuits over the legality of its long-running eviction moratorium.

EVICTION MORATORIUM

—BLUNT COMMENTS—Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley says he believes the eviction moratorium approved by the Board of Supervisors during the early days of the pandemic is unconstitutional and a taking of private property by the government.

—The provocative comments were made as the county is battling two lawsuits by landlords seeking to end Alameda County’s eviction moratorium.

—The discussion came prior to a bid by Supervisor David Haubert to schedule a future meeting for rescinding or modifying the eviction moratorium. Haubert’s effort was denied by the full board on Tuesday.

—For several months, Miley has talked up his desire to rescind the eviction moratorium, but his comments on Tuesday went further. In making his argument, Miley also voiced strong support for landlords, and acknowledged their plight as nearly equal to struggling tenants.

—“I feel the ordinance is unconstitutional. It’s a taking of property,” Miley said. “We don’t have the legal authority to restrict property owners in this type of Draconian measures. I do feel for tenants. I do fell for landlords,” but Miley added, he understands the fury of landlords, some of whom have not yet been made whole for two-years-worth of rent payments.

—Miley said the circumstances that led to the original eviction moratorium ordinance in the spring of 2020 have changed. He prefers modifying the ordinance, arguing other options are available to the board to help those vulnerable to evictions if the moratorium is lifted. Miley suggested rental vouchers is one potential option…

MORE INSIDE:

• Miley’s full-throated defense of landlords

• Valle’s strong support for tenants

• Carson argues over process.

• Valle attends meeting from his other job

• Election 2022 update