We are healthier and stronger together

Dear Friends,

Since my last communications with you, much has changed. The shelter-at-home order has been extended to May 3. Schools continue to be closed. Congress passed the historic $2.2 trillion COVID-19 aid package (The CARES Act). Governor Gavin Newsom issued state-wide authority for municipalities to place moratoriums on evictions, and the Oakland City Council passed an Ordinance to implement the moratorium. And amidst all of this, hate crimes against Asian Americans due to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to rise.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)

The CARES Act will provide much needed aid to state and local governments, businesses and nonprofits, health systems, and individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. A few things of note about the CARES Act, as it pertains to our work and values:

• The Small Business Administration will provide a grant advance of $10,000 to small businesses and nonprofits that apply for an SBA economic injury disaster loan (EIDL). The grants will be provided within three days of applying for the loan. The new $10,000 EIDL grant does not need to be repaid, even if the grantee is subsequently denied an EIDL, and may be used to provide paid sick leave to employees, maintain payroll, meet increased production costs due to supply chain disruptions, or pay business obligations, including debts, rent and mortgage payments. This is a great incentive for our commercial tenants to apply.  There will be enormous demand for these funds so we recommend that businesses immediately apply, before the funds are depleted.
• The $1,200 one-time payments for lower- and middle-income Americans and $500 for children will provide much needed lifelines for EBALDC’s residents. We are concerned, however, that only those individuals who file taxes with a Social Security Number (SSN) can qualify for these payments. As part of our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, we file taxes for those who utilize SSNs AND Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs). We think it is wrong to deny payments to millions of individuals who contribute to our economy, meet the income requirements, and file their taxes. 
• Despite some Federal restrictions on testing for immigrants and green card holders, we are pleased that our State, County and City officials are stepping up to make resources available. As we learn more about these resources, we will provide updates. It is important that everyone has access to testing and treatment. We know that diseases do not recognize national origin and immigration status.

As I had mentioned in my last letter to you, our families and neighborhoods are healthier and stronger when we show up and represent one another in moments of joy as well as crisis. As our own health depends on the health of the person next to us, and the person next to them, we call on our elected officials to include all individuals for the one-time payments and for free COVID-19 testing and treatment.

Stop Anti-Asian Hate Crimes

We continue to be disturbed by reports of discrimination and hate crimes towards Asian and Asian American populations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the FBI warning of a surge in hate crimes. This article in the New York Times describes the fear Asian American communities are experiencing across the country and even in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is a tragedy on top of the global pandemic. As we have consistently stated to the communities we serve, there is no racial, ethnic, or cultural basis for the disease.  Xenophobia has no place in the work we do to build healthy neighborhoods. We urge all those who have been directly impacted by or witnessed firsthand this issue to share their stories at www.a3pcon.org/stopaapihate. Thank you for being an ally!

Oakland COVID-19 Emergency Rent Moratorium Ordinance

On March 27, the Oakland City Council passed an ordinance that essentially halts most evictions and rent increases. As an owner and manager of affordable housing, we work with our residents to find alternatives to evictions, regardless of what is going on in the world. We have proactively reached out to our residents and small businesses to not only help clarify some of the details in the ordinance, but also offer assistance and access to resources. In many ways, the city’s ordinance changes very little in the everyday work we do to build healthy communities.

Shelter-in-Place Extended to May 3

Given the rate of COVID-19 cases, it was no surprise that the Shelter-in-Place order was not only extended, but that more restrictions were added. As we are an essential business, EBALDC will continue to operate, especially given the restricted criteria of essential construction. To that end, EBALDC is on track in our work to create 500 more affordable housing units over the next five years and additional below market price space for the nonprofit organizations and small businesses that serve our community. Speaking of the many small businesses that rent space from us, check out Black Ball Universe’s Grammy Award winner, Fantastic Negrito’s video, “Chocolate Samurai (corona quarantine video)”. It’s wonderful that West Oakland is represented so vibrantly!

EBALDC COVID-19 Resource Page

I am pleased to announce that we have added a COVID-19 Resource Page to our website, that provides much needed information to our residents and tenants, the community at large, and small businesses. It includes action items we can all take to help our community during these very challenging times. These pages will be updated once a week, as more resources comes our way. If you have a resource to share out, please send it to communications@ebaldc.org.

These are indeed challenging times for all of us. At EBALDC, we care about our community and residents.  Our partnerships are essential as we get through this together. Again, thank you for all that you do for EBALDC and the community. We look forward to the day we can break bread together again.

In gratitude,

Joshua Simon, CEO