Kate Cimini / The Salinas Californian

Economists say small property owners have been uniquely pinched by the pandemic as renters move out or stop paying. Despite a federally mandated mortgage forbearance and $2.6 billion in rental relief from the state, some landlords who slip through the cracks wonder how much longer they can absorb the costs.

California lawmakers are looking to protect one of the state’s most valuable workforces with a new COVID-19 relief package.