We know businesses have been hit hard by COVID-19, and wanted to make sure you were aware of the following loans/grants:

ReStart Loans Still Available for Goleta-Based Businesses

Goleta-based businesses are encouraged to apply for ReStart Loans up $25,000 each to provide support during the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Goleta contributed $200,000 to support the small business loan program administered by Women’s Economic Venture (WEV). Goleta ReStart Loans are available to help Goleta-based businesses reopen and adapt to operating under proper public health guidelines due to COVID-19.

Loan applications are still being accepted and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until loan funds have been depleted. The application and additional information, including eligibility, is available at www.wevonline.org/loans-2/restart/. Haga clic aquí para obtener información en español.

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Opens April 8, 2021

The Shuttered Venue Operator Grant (SVOG), administered by the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance, offers grants for live venue operators, performing arts organizations, motion picture theater operators, cultural institutions and other eligible applicants. SVOG funding does not need to be repaid and can be used for specific expenses, such as payroll, rent, utilities and other costs. The program is set to open on Thursday, April 8th, 2021!

The U.S. Small Business Administration has created a portal to help eligible candidates apply for the Shuttered Venue Operations Grant when it opens. CLICK HERE to access the portal and sign-up to be informed when the application opens.

To learn more about this program including grant amounts, eligibility criteria, eligible funding uses and prioritization of awards CLICK HERE.

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund

The restaurant industry, more than any other industry in the nation, has suffered the most significant sales and job losses since the COVID-19 outbreak began. The new American Rescue Plan Act established a $28.6 billion “Restaurant Revitalization Fund” (RRF) within the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

For more information on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund visit RestaurantsAct.com and review the Fund Fact Sheet HERE.

Those suffering a financial hardship due to COVID-19 have a few options to help with rent expenses.

Emergency Rental Assistance from City of Goleta

The City of Goleta is providing rental assistance funds through the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara County, to qualified City of Goleta residents financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g. job loss, reduction in wages, etc.). Upon application approval, applicants may receive up to $5,000 or up to 3 months of current and/or past-due rental expenses, whichever is less. Once approved, assistance payments to applicants will be paid directly to landlords.

ELIGIBILITY / DOCUMENTATION

• Must provide proof of residency in the City of Goleta
• Household income must be 80% or below the area median income (AMI)
• Must demonstrate loss of income related to COVID-19, with eligibility starting last year on March 13, 2020, and must provide:
  • Documentation of past 2 months of income for the entire household
  • Proof of lease or rental agreement

Additional documentation may be required during the review process. To apply, go to https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/SANTABARBARACOUNTYCA/participant. The application is also available in Spanish.

If you need assistance or have questions, contact the Housing Authority at 805-735-8351 or email Questions@hasbarco.org.

Rental and Utility Assistance from Santa Barbara County

There is still time to apply for the County of Santa Barbara’s Emergency Rental & Utility Assistance program. The County has allocated more than $13 million towards this program through the United Way of Santa Barbara County to eligible County of Santa Barbara residents that have experienced a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic and can demonstrate the need for support. This Emergency Rent Assistance Program is intended to prevent homelessness by providing rent and utility assistance to residents.

Qualifying households may apply for a three (3) month subsidy of:

• Rent assistance up to $6,000 to be paid directly to the owners or managers of the rental units on behalf of all tenants in the applicant’s household.
• Utility assistance to be paid directly to the utility company on behalf of the applicant.

If awarded, qualifying households will also be eligible to thereafter re-apply for an additional three (3) months of assistance, up to a total of 15 months.

There are strict eligibility requirements for this funding opportunity, please review at https://www.unitedwaysb.org/rent.   

Click here to complete the application (also available in Spanish here). The application process will be open until all funds are expended or by December 30, 2021, whichever is first. For assistance, please call (805) 965-8591 or email info@unitedwaysb.org.

The California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program

If you’re an income eligible renter who has experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19 and have past due rent, or you’re a landlord who has experienced a loss in income because of unpaid rent, you may be eligible to get financial assistance now through the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program.

The program is not first come first served, rather priority will be given to those households with the greatest risk of being evicted.

Who Can Apply?:

• This program applies to residential landlords and renters.
• Landlords who have income-eligible renters experiencing a financial hardship due to COVID-19 with past due rent. Review full eligibility requirements HERE.
• Renters who have experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19, have past due rent or utilities, and have a household income that is not more than 80% of the area median income. Review full eligibility requirements HERE.

Learn more at HousingIsKey.com or call 833.430.2122.

As you know, Santa Barbara County moved from the state’s purple tier to the less restrictive red tier in mid-March. This allowed children to return to school and businesses to re-open with modifications. For information about changes for businesses in the red tier, visit the public health website at www.publichealthsbc.org/red-tier-2021/. Thank you to everyone for doing your part to help #reCOVERgoleta. As you drive around town, you will notice the City’s updated #reCOVERgoleta signs reminding the community of important things we can continue do to help stop the spread of COVID-19: wear a face covering (which are required outside the home), watch your distance, and get vaccinated. Following these three easy steps can help us get to the next tier.

Please help us spread the word by printing and hanging our #reCOVERgoleta sign and sharing on social media with the hashtag #reCOVERgoleta. Download an image to share here.

While we know you have probably heard these tips many times before, we want to remind everyone about some important guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Avoid social gatherings and close contact with people not from your household.
• Put distance of at least six feet between yourself and other people not from your household.
• Clean your hands often, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Everyone must wear a cloth face cover that covers their nose and mouth when they go out in public.
  • Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of six feet.
• Call your doctor if you have symptoms of COVID-19 – Be sure to call your doctor before going to their office.

For information on COVID-19, please visit the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department website at https://publichealthsbc.org/.

Pictured: #reCOVERgoleta sign in front of City Hall