SAN DIEGO — Tens of thousands of California families unable to pay their rent due to COVID-19 could soon be facing eviction. 

On Friday morning, the legal protections these renters have, essentially shielding them from eviction proceedings, will officially expire. 

In the meantime, thousands of these Californians are still waiting on millions of dollars in rental relief promised by the state.

Those statewide eviction protections put in place for renters impacted by the pandemic are set to expire Friday morning, even though more than 80,000 households who applied for emergency assistance are still waiting for an answer on their applications.

"I just feel the state has failed us: they have failed us," said Imperial Beach resident, Patricia Mendoza, who is still waiting for $9,000 in rental assistance from the state.