Anticipating the September 30 end of the statewide eviction ban, the City of San Leandro is offering help to small businesses still struggling with pandemic-related economic issues.
The city will offer local businesses a free webinar at 6 p.m. Sept. 20, a special resource page on the city website, and detailed information in multiple languages to help businesses remain and grow in San Leandro.
“We know that many small businesses have struggled to make ends meet during the pandemic and that the impacts have been hardest on communities that have fewer resources,” said San Leandro Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter, in a statement. “We can and must continue to rise to the challenge and support the small businesses community that is so central to the vibrancy of San Leandro and provides so much employment for our residents.”
After the moratorium, tenants will have at least 120 days to pay back rent owed. They may then request an additional 60 days. Landlords can’t charge a late fee on the back rent. The city encourages people who have not been paying full rent during the pandemic begin to do so in October to avoid future eviction.
The city provides more information on its webpage at https://bit.ly/3EdyqYD, with information also available in Spanish and Chinese.
The Sept. 20 webinar will feature experts in business assistance, discussing the legal and business aspects of eviction and the expiration of the commercial eviction moratorium. Speakers from Start Small Think Big, which connects small businesses with free legal assistance, and East Bay SCORE, which provides no-cost business counseling, will talk about next steps for businesses. An attorney will also talk about the legal specifics. To register for the event, go to https://bit.ly/3l9ctRt.
Additional information about resources to assist in repaying rent, increasing customer base, marketing/online presence, and more are listed on the City of San Leandro’s COVID-19 business resource page, at https://bit.ly/3l7STFj.
The city also said that in the coming months, staff will propose additional local assistance programs, which may include small business grants, technical assistance and online marketing assistance. To sign up for the San Leandro business list, go to https://bit.ly/3tztmIX to get updates.