Seattle Small Businesses: Mayor Halts Evictions, Boosts Grants

SEATTLE, WA — Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan has taken two major steps to assist small businesses suffering from the effects of the new coronavirus. The moves include halting evictions of small businesses and nonprofit tenants and adds $1 million to the city's Small Business Stabilization Fund.

The emergency order to halt evictions says "a moratorium on small business and nonprofit tenants evictions for non-payment of rent or due to the expiration of the lease's term are hereby ordered" until the March 3 Civil Emergency is ended, or 60 days from the emergency order.

Small businesses, in this case, include businesses that are "owned and operated independently from all other businesses... has fifty or fewer employees."

Property owners are ordered to work out agreements with their tenants, including deferred rent payment, discounted rent or other methods. They're not allowed to charge tenants late fees, interests or other late payment-related charges during the moratorium.

See the full text of the emergency order.

The Small Business Stabilization Fund was set up to "mitigate barriers to capital for Seattle's most vulnerable businesses" amid the coronavirus outbreak. It was initially set up as a $1.5 million block grant that provides businesses up to $10,000 of financial support. Now the fund has $2.5 million.

As of noon on Tuesday, there have been over 3,300 applications, with about 1,800 eligible for the grant, the city's website says.

Here's a list of requirements:

• The business owner must have a low- or moderate-income (80 percent or less than the Area Median Income).
• The business must have five employees or fewer.
• The business must have a physical establishment.
• The business must have experienced a loss of income due to COVID-19.
• The business must be located within Seattle.

Seattle businesses can apply for a Small Business Stabilization Fund grant.

See Seattle's press release on small business grants and loans.

The mayor's office has also been working with the State of Washington to help local businesses get federal loans from the Small Business Administration up to $2 million, which can be used to pay debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills which can't be paid due to the coronavirus. Businesses can apply for that SBA loan here.

See also:

• Seattle Halts Residential Evictions During Coronavirus Outbreak
• King County Won't Enforce Evictions During Coronavirus Crisis
• Seattle Will Provide $800 In Grocery Vouchers To 6,250 Families