At its meeting on September 8, the Irvine City Council voted to continue the drive-up COVID-19 testing program into October and extended executive orders and resolutions that support and safeguard the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Testing Program: The City of Irvine’s Drive-Up Testing Program has been continued through October 16. Approximately 6,200 people have been tested since the City launched the program in partnership with Curogram and multiple laboratories in July. Testing is available Monday through Thursday at the Orange County Great Park for those who live and work in Irvine, regardless of whether they have symptoms.
Evictions, Foreclosures, Rent Increases: The City Council extended Resolution No. 20-29, which strongly encourages and expects residential and commercial landlords, and all utility providers to abide by the provisions of the Governor's Executive Order, and to specifically refrain from evictions, foreclosures, rent increases, or service and utility disconnections when non-payment is the result of loss of income or increase in expenses caused by COVID-19.
The resolution has been extended through January 21, 2021 to align with recent legislation signed by Gov. Newsom protecting tenants from evictions and property owners from foreclosure due to the economic impacts of COVID-19.
The City Council also received an update on the City’s Rental Assistance Program. Earlier this summer, the City committed $2 million in one-time federal CARES Act funding to help 2,000 households with rental payment assistance or lease termination fees. Nearly 1,000 applicants will have received funding by September 23. Applications will reopen on September 21 to provide financial support to an additional 150 Irvine residents impacted by COVID-19. For updates, visit cityofirvine.org/rentalassistance.
For more information about the City of Irvine’s response to COVID-19, please visit cityofirvine.org/covid19.