(a) In addition to the payments required by Section 7262, as a part of the cost of acquisition, the public entity shall make a payment to any displaced person displaced from any dwelling not eligible to receive a payment under Section 7263 which was actually and lawfully occupied by the person as a permanent or customary and usual place of abode for not less than 90 days prior to the initiation of negotiation by the public entity for the acquisition of the dwelling, or in any case in which displacement is not a direct result of acquisition, or any other event which the public entity shall prescribe.

(b) The payment, not to exceed five thousand two hundred fifty dollars ($5,250), shall be the additional amount which is necessary to enable the person to lease or rent a comparable replacement dwelling for a period not to exceed 42 months, unless the displaced person meets one or more of the conditions set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (i) of Section 7260, in which case the payment, which shall not exceed five thousand two hundred fifty dollars ($5,250), shall be the additional amount which is necessary to enable the person to lease or rent a comparable replacement dwelling for a period not to exceed 48 months. However, publicly funded transportation projects shall make payments enabling the person to lease or rent a comparable replacement dwelling for a period not to exceed 42 months, including compensation for utilities, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 24.402 of Part 24 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Payments up to the maximum of five thousand two hundred fifty dollars ($5,250) shall be made in a lump sum. Should an agency pay pursuant to Section 7264.5 an amount exceeding the maximum amount, payment may be made periodically. Computation of a payment under this subdivision to a low-income displaced person for a comparable replacement dwelling shall take into account the person’s income.

(c) Any person eligible for a payment under subdivision (a) may elect to apply the payment to a downpayment on, and other incidental expenses pursuant to, the purchase of a decent, safe, and sanitary replacement dwelling. The person may, at the discretion of the public entity, be eligible under this subdivision for the maximum payment allowed under subdivision (b), except that, in the case of a displaced homeowner who has owned and occupied the displacement dwelling for at least 90 days but not more than 180 days immediately prior to the initiation of negotiations for the acquisition of the dwelling, the payment shall not exceed the payment which the person would otherwise have received under subdivision (b) of Section 7263 had the person owned and occupied the displacement dwelling 180 days immediately prior to the initiation of the negotiations.

(d) In implementing this chapter, it is the intent of the Legislature that special consideration shall be given to assisting any displaced person 62 years of age or older to locate or lease or rent a comparable replacement dwelling.

(Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 597, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1998.)