Mayoral Order - MORATORIUM ON RESIDENTIAL EVICTIONS - 3/18/2020 (2)

J. There has been a drop in the number of tenants appearing in court for their eviction hearings in Snohomish County resulting in default judgments being entered and tenants losing substantial rights to assert defenses or access legal and economic assistance. K. Evictions result in a loss of housing and create housing instability, potentially increasing the number of people experiencing homelessness and creating a heightened risk of disease transmission. L. Jurisdictions across the nation are considering or have implemented eviction prevention to provide housing stability to dislocated workers during this unprecedented public health emergency. M. Art. XI,Sec. 11 of the Washington State Constitution grants cities like the City of Everett broad police powers to"make and enforce within its limits all such local police, sanitary and other regulations as are not in conflict with general laws." N. The Washington State Legislature has declared a state policy to help residents who are experiencing a temporary crisis in retaining stable housing to avoid eviction from their homes, as expressed in Laws of 2019 c 356 section 1. O. A temporary moratorium on residential evictions during the COVID-19 outbreak will protect the public health,safety, and welfare by reducing the number of individuals and families entering into homelessness during this epidemic, which means lowering the number of people who may develop the disease or spread the disease. P. The civil emergency necessitates the utilization of emergency powers granted to the Mayor pursuant to chapter 9.02 EMC and chapter 38.52 RCW. Q. EMC 9.02.020.J authorizes the Mayor to proclaim "such other orders as are imminently necessary for the protection of life and property" and take extraordinary measures to protect the public peace,safety and welfare. R. The COVID-19 civil emergency requires the issuance of an order that is specifically aimed at a moratorium on residential evictions during the civil emergency to keep people housed and protect the public safety, health and welfare as set forth in this Civil Emergency Order. BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF EVERETT,THAT: I,CASSIE FRANKLIN, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF EVERETT,ACTING UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF CHAPTER 9.02 EMC,AND MY MAYORAL PROCLAMATION OF CIVIL EMERGENCY, DATED MARCH 4, 2020, HEREBY ORDER: 1. Moratorium on Evictions for Certain Causes. a. Effective immediately, a moratorium on residential evictions for non-payment is hereby ordered until the earlier of the termination of the Civil Emergency declared in the E CIVIL EMERGENCY ORDER RE EVICTIONS Page 2 of 4