April 6, 2020
UPDATE REGARDING THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS ("COVID-19"):
A Message From The Supervisor:
As our City is coping with the effects of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19"), I wanted to let each of you know that my office is working hard to stay up-to-date on all fronts so that you all can be informed of what is happening locally, statewide, and nationally. Lastly, please don't hesitate to email us at SafaiStaff@sfgov.org or call us at 1-415-554-6976 and we will immediately respond.
Thank you all for your time, cooperation, and perseverance -- we will all get through this!
Sincerely,
Supervisor Ahsha Safai
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Federal Government Assistance for Small Businesses: The Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP"):
UPDATE: On April 6, 2020, it was announced that the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System will be creating a new facility to help lenders make loans under the Paycheck Protection Program or "PPP". See:
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20200406a.htm
The (federal) Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. The PPP is managed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.
Some important facts below.
LOANS CAN BE FULLY FORGIVEN IF BORROWERS COMPLY WITH ALL TERMS AND TERMS ARE THE SAME FOR ALL BORROWERS:
Funds are provided in the form of loans that will be fully forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities (due to likely high subscription, at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll). Loan payments will also be deferred for six months. No collateral or personal guarantees are required. Neither the government nor lenders will charge small businesses any fees.
MUST KEEP EMPLOYEES ON THE PAYROLL -- OR REHIRE QUICKLY:
Forgiveness is based on the employer maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. Forgiveness will be reduced if full-time headcount declines, or if salaries and wages decrease.
ALL SMALL BUSINESSES ARE ELIGIBLE:
Small businesses with 500 or fewer employees—including nonprofits, veterans organizations, tribal concerns, self-employed individuals, sole proprietorships, and independent contractors— are eligible. Businesses with more than 500 employees are eligible in certain industries.
WHEN TO APPLY:
Starting April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply. Starting April 10, 2020, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply. We encourage you to apply as quickly as you can because there is a funding cap.
HOW TO APPLY:
You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating. All loans will have the same terms regardless of lender or borrower. A list of participating lenders as well as additional information and full terms can be found at www.sba.gov.
Please note that the Paycheck Protection Program is implemented by the Small Business Administration ("SBA") with support from the Department of the Treasury. Lenders should also visit www.sba.gov or www.coronavirus.gov for more information.
If you want to take out a loan, please click here:
https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/top-priorities/cares-act/assistance-for-small-businesses
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The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (S.F.M.T.A.) Announces Changes In Service (Drastic Cuts) Which Will Be Rolled Out In Phases and Begin Today (April 6, 2020):
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (S.F.M.T.A.) announced the changes described below.
Monday, April 6
Customers should prepare for delays across the Muni system both Monday and Tuesday. We expect to be below necessary staffing levels to provide adequate service. This gap will cause missed runs and delays that may not be accurately reflected in NextBus predictions. If you need to make an essential trip, plan to use other options or allow extra time when riding Muni.
Tuesday April 7
Service will be temporarily discontinued on seven routes that are experiencing low ridership or have nearby lines that provide similar service and connections. Routes to be discontinued include the 2 Clement, 3 Jackson, 5 Fulton, 7 Haight, 10 Townsend, 21 Hayes and 31 Balboa.
Wednesday April 8
Service will be further reduced to our 17 most-used lines. This core network will provide service within one mile of all San Franciscans. This approach allows Muni to continue to serve San Francisco’s medical facilities and focuses on equity to ensure service for our customers most reliant on transit. The frequency of buses will vary by line so that lines experiencing some crowding will have more frequent service than others.
The 17 core routes that will remain in service, with some modifications include:
1) N Judah Bus
2) T Third Bus
3) 8 Bayshore
4) 14 Mission
5) 19 Polk
6) 24 Divisadero
7) 29 Sunset
8) 38R Geary Rapid
9) 49 Van Ness/Mission
10) L Taraval Bus
11) 1 California
12) 9 San Bruno
13) 14R Mission Rapid
14) 22 Fillmore
15) 25 Treasure Island
16) 38 Geary
17) 44 O'Shaughnessy
To stay up-to-date on MUNI's changing schedule, please click here:
https://www.sfmta.com/blog/muni-prepares-deliver-essential-trips-only
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Mayor London Breed Announces New Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing Site at Pier 30-32:
On Monday, April 6, 2020, Mayor London Breed announced a new novel coronavirus (COVID-19) testing facility that will be located at Pier 30-32. This new testing facility will be dedicated mostly to police officers, firefighters, sheriff's deputies, 911 dispatchers, and health care workers.
The facility will operate as a drive-through and walk-through and the goal is to be able to conduct 200 tests a day. This is the latest site added, this past week San Franciscans received news that the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation would be funding new test sites at a Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital parking lot at 23rd Street and Potrero Avenue (also for walk-ups and drive-through).
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District Attorney Boudin Releases Consumer Alert And Number for San Franciscans To Report Price Gouging, Call 1-415-551-9595
The San Francisco District Attorney's Office urges anyone who is the victim of price gouging or has information about it occurring in San Francisco to please contact the District Attorney's consumer protection hotline at 1-415-551-9595.
On February 25, 2020, the City and County of San Francisco declared a state of emergency in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and when a state of emergency is declared California law broadly prohibits raising the price of consumer goods or services by more than 10%. This covers, but is not limited to, food, gasoline, emergency supplies, vendors of food, building materials, and medical supplies too. The only exception to this 10% cap is if the seller can prove that any increase in prices are directly linked to an increase in teh cost of labor or materials.
Those in violation of the anti-price gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution and civil enforcement actions.
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Get Loud For Our Heroes: Make Noise For Frontline Workers Campaign
Based on what many other cities across the globe have been doing after being hit by the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19"), the United Educators of San Francisco (UESF), which represents more than 6,200 San Francisco Unified School District employees (e.g., teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, counselors, and psychologists), has put out a call to action.
Every evening at 7 p.m., please join other San Franciscans and make some noise for our health care workers, restaurant workers, child care workers, truck drivers, IT workers, emergency workers, construction workers, janitors, sanitation workers, police officers, firefighters, sheriffs, nonprofit workers, MUNI and BART operators, grocery store clerks, nonprofit workers, and many, many more! Thanks, all! |
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California Governor Newsom Announces a 90-Day Relief for Homeowners -- California State’s 90-Day Mortgage Payment Relief During the COVID-19 Crisis:
On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that almost 200 state-chartered banks, along with the country’s four major banks (J.P. Morgan Chase, CitiBank, U.S. Bank, and Wells Fargo), and credit unions have agreed to a 90-day grace period for mortgage payments for Californians.
Below, a summary of what this means for you.
90-Day Grace Period for Mortgage Payments:
Financial institutions will offer, consistent with applicable guidelines, mortgage payment forbearances of up to 90 days to borrowers economically impacted by COVID-19. In addition, those institutions will:
- Provide borrowers a streamlined process to request a forbearance for COVID-19-related reasons, supported with available documentation;
- Confirm approval of and terms of forbearance program; and
- Provide borrowers the opportunity to request additional relief, as practicable, upon continued showing of hardship due to COVID-19.
No Negative Credit Impacts Resulting from Relief:
Financial institutions will not report derogatory tradelines (e.g., late payments) to credit reporting agencies, consistent with applicable guidelines, for borrowers taking advantage of COVID-19-related relief.
Moratorium on Initiating Foreclosure Sales or Evictions:
For at least 60 days, financial institutions will not initiate foreclosure sales or evictions, consistent with applicable guidelines.
Relief from Fees and Charges:
For at least 90 days, financial institutions will waive or refund at least the following for customers who have requested assistance:
- Mortgage-related late fees; and
- Other fees, including early CD withdrawals (subject to applicable federal regulations).
To apply, please click here:
https://covid19.ca.gov/get-financial-help/#top
Lastly, to stay up-to-date regarding San Francisco's local laws regarding evictions please click here:
https://sf.gov/news/about-citys-temporary-moratoriums-residential-evictions
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San Francisco Property Tax Services – The April 10, 2020 Deadline was EXTENDED to May 4, 2020:
On April 10, 2020, San Francisco’s homeowners know that property taxes are normally due, however the Board of Supervisor and the Treasurer & Tax Collector extended the deadline to May 4, 2020.
San Francisco’s Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector urges everyone to please pay on time, but if you can’t pay on time and meet the May 4 deadline for reasons related to the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) you should submit a request for a penalty waiver online.
To apply for a Penalty Waiver, please click here:
https://sftreasurer.org/business/manage-your-business/penalty-waiver-refund-request
Please note, that currently City Hall is closed to the public and, therefore, not accepting in-person payments. To make a property tax payment you must pay by US mail or online, to pay online please click here:
https://sftreasurer.org/property/make-property-tax-payment
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San Francisco's Shelter-In-Place (Stay-at-Home) Health Order:
On March 30, 2020, Mayor London Breed announced that she will extend the Shelter-In-Place ("Stay-at-Home") Order that went into effect on March 17 until May 1, 2020.
On March 16, 2020, the City issued a Public Health Order requiring people to stay at home ("shelter-in-place") except for essential needs, the order is in effect until April 7, 2020 and may be extended if necessary.
To read the Health Order, please click here:
https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/files/HealthOrderC19-07-%20Shelter-in-Place.pdf
To stay up-to-date regarding the City's guidelines, orders, or regulations, please click here:
https://sf.gov/stay-home-except-essential-needs
California Statewide Order To Stay-At-Home Is Still In Effect:
On March 19, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statewide stay-at-home order, effective at midnight, in an attempt to slow down the spread of the COVID-19.
To read the Executive Order, please click here:
https://covid19.ca.gov/img/N-33-20.pdf
For more general information and to stay up-to-date as to how long this order will be in place, please click here:
https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/
The Order is still in effect, we thank each of you for complying with the order and saving lives. Thank you!
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