District 6 Matters: Oakland's Continued Response To COVID-19
From the Office of Councilmember Loren Taylor
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Hi Neighbor,
Last week in District 6 we experienced our first loss of life due to COVID-19. My heart remains heavy based on this news, and I extend my deepest condolences to the family of
Mrs. Barbara Hopper
who was a valuable member of our community. Unfortunately, given the seriousness of the disease, this will not be our last casualty to COVID-19, but together we can help reduce the disease's impact.
I ask all to honor the shelter in place in order to reduce the impact of the disease.
Shelter-In-Place order has just been extended until May 3, 2020.
The Shelter In Place extension was announced by seven Bay Area Counties to slow the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate the impact on delivery of critical healthcare services to those in need.
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Updates to Shelter In Place
- Social distancing requirements are mandatory.
- Essential businesses that continue to operate facilities in the County must complete, post, and implement a social distancing protocol for each facility that remains open.
- Essential businesses must maximize the number of employees who work from home, excepting only those employees who cannot perform their job duties from home.
- Essential businesses that continue to operate facilities in the County must scale down operations to their essential component only.
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5. Use of playgrounds, dog parks, public picnic areas, & similar recreational areas is
prohibited
.
6. Use of shared public recreational facilities such as golf courses, tennis and basketball courts, pools, and rock walls is
prohibited.
7. Sports or activities that require use of shared equipment, like frisbees, basketballs, baseballs, and soccer balls, may only be engaged in by members of the same household.
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Should I get tested? If so, where can I get tested?
Not everyone needs to be tested for COVID-19. Here is some information that might help in making decisions about seeking care or testing.
- Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home.
- There is no treatment specifically approved for this virus.
- Testing results may be helpful to inform decision-making about who you come in contact with.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and want to get tested, try calling your state or local health department or a medical provider. While supplies of these tests are increasing, it may still be difficult to find a place to get tested.
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Concerns About Compliance?
Alameda County has launched
[email protected]
for compliance concerns or complaints regarding non-essential businesses and non-essential activities in potential violation of the public health order.
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Inside this newsletter you'll find the following information:
- City of Oakland Eviction Moratorium Legislation (FAQ's)
- Census 2020 Be Counted
- Support For Business Owners
- Community Resources
- Public Service Updates
- Homeless Encampment Management (Survey)
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And if you still have questions about COVID-19 and what the Federal,State and Local Governments are doing:
1. Click
here
to watch last night's City of Oakland COVID-19 Town Hall
2. Please revisit our previous newsletters below:
- March 27th: Oakland's Continued Response to COVID-19 link
- March 21st: News & Updates link
- March 17th: Alameda County Shelter In Place Effective March 17th link
- March 14th: Coronavirus update link
- March 8th: City of Oakland- Response to Coronavirus link
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Also, Please share this email with any neighbors who may not have received this update!
Yours in Service of Oakland,
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Loren M. Taylor, Councilmember
Oakland - District 6
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1.City of Oakland Eviction Moratorium Legislation (Frequently Asked Question)
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The City Council unanimously passed the moratorium on evictions that is expected to last for the duration of the health emergency. This ordinance addresses the critical need to support and protect vulnerable Oakland residents and small businesses from displacement at this critical time - especially as we ask everyone to shelter in place and not increase the spread of COVID-19.
What exactly is the Oakland Eviction Moratorium? Who is covered? For how long?
- Moratorium on residential evictions until May 31, 2020. Only applies to housing units covered under the Just Cause Ordinance (which is most units in the City except for units built after 1995).
- Moratorium on commercial evictions until May 31, 2020. Only applies to small businesses (less than 100 employees per the state definition) and nonprofit organizations.
- Moratorium on rent increases above the Consumer Price Index (CPI) (currently 3.5%) during the Local Emergency. Only applies to units covered under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (which is most units in the City except for single-family homes and units built after 1983).
- Moratorium on late payment fees for residential rent paid late if due to COVID-19, during the Local Emergency.
- Unpaid rent is still due but tenants can not be evicted for inability to pay.
- Residential tenants and landlords can agree to temporary rent decreases which do not count towards establishing the base rent under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Tenants will still owe that rent in the future
, but they can’t be evicted for failing to pay it, even after the emergency period ends. As such Everyone who can pay rent should continue to do so.
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What about property owners/ homeowners, how are they supported?
- Governor Newsom announced an agreement with banks that puts a 90-day grace period on mortgages (only one month for Bank of America loans). Residents should click here to learn more.
- In addition homeowners with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are eligible for a forbearance plan to reduce or suspend their mortgage payments for up to 12 months.
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Have Question Or Need Assistance?
Oakland's Rent Program staff members remain available to assist members of the public by phone at (510) 238 - 3721 during normal business hours Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm. Please leave a message and a housing counselor will return your call within 24 hours. You may also email us at
[email protected]
. Please visit our website at
www.oaklandca.gov/rap
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2. Be Counted In Census 2020
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Every person counted in the census brings $10,000 back to our community! We need all District 6 Residents to complete the Census. It's quick & easy.
Be Counted!
You can complete the Census:
Why is it Important?
An accurate Census count in each of our communities will ensure that our communities receive their fair share of government funding for health care, affordable housing, schools, job training and placement programs, and many other vital services.
Is it Safe?
Yes. When completing the Census you won't be asked to share any sensitive information, like immigration status or social security number.
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3. Support For Business Owners
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A.Small Business Assistance:
The city of Oakland, State, and Federal government have announced new assistance programs for businesses impacted by COVID-19. More information about those programs can be found below.
- Small business interest free deferral of sales/use tax up to $50,000 for businesses with less than $5 million in taxable sales.
- Federal small business stimulus programs:
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4. Community Resources & Updates
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A. Community Give-Away At Shop Rite Supermarket
Saturday, April 4th at 1pm - 2:30pm
5800 Bancroft Ave
Thank you to store owner Ali Albasiery who has volunteered to provide fresh produce and water to support community members as they shelter in place. The District 6 Team will also be on hand to provide educational resources for those impacted by COVID-19.
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B.Safeway & EBT Delivery
Safeway has been approved for the USDA’s Online Purchasing Pilot.
However, it seems as though Safeway is offerings their home grocery delivery
service to select EBT cardholders.
Safeway states that “any person with a disability who uses EBT benefits and needs to use Safeway home grocery delivery service,
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A non-profit organizations of mental health professionals and dedicated volunteers that provide a number of mental health and supportive services to low income, multi-stressed individuals and families.
Offering Live Phone Support for Parents
- Call1-800-829-3777
- Visit their website.
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C.Hively
Hively is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide resources that strengthen and support children and their families.
If you or anyone you know is in need of support:
Phone: 925-417-8733
They have established an
Emergency Fund
to help families in need and are asking for donations.
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The state has launched has a new website with information related to COVID-19.
Access the #COVID19 toolkit for sharing on social media to do your part in keeping California healthy.
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F. Arts and Culture Resources
The following organizations provide emergency financial assistance to artists, musicians and authors.
ServPro is taking steps to help their customers maintain a virus and a germ-free environment for its employees, customers, and tenants.
They are conducting a proactive cleanup that involves facility or structure cleaning and disinfecting as long as there is no active known threat of COVID-19 contamination exposure.
If you are interested in a quote call Rod James:
Phone: 415-479-2900
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A. EB MUD
EBMUD will not disconnect customers' water service due to billing/payment issues during this health emergency.
If your water has been shut off due to non-payment call:
Customer Service at 1-866-403-2683
Assistance Program helps reduce bills for customers facing economic hardships.
For more information:
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B. PG&E
PG&E has implemented a series of billing and service modifications to support customers who have been impacted by the pandemic:
Suspending service disconnections for non-payment
waiving security deposits;
Implementing flexible payment plan
Providing additional support for low-income and medical baseline customers.
Visit
With Any Questions.
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6. Homeless Encampment Management
Survey
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While we shelter in place to flatten the curve of coronavirus transmission, it is important to continue the efforts we started before COVID-19 emerged –aggressively addressing our homelessness crisis.
Your input is vital to the City Council as we make critical decisions about how homeless encampments should be managed and serviced.
Please complete the survey below, designed to capture the perspective of those who live and work in Oakland.
Homeless Encampment Management Policy
Survey
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Question or Concerns? Contact The District 6 Team:
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