Covid-19 Financial Support

City of Tacoma Media and Communications Announcements

Visit this site to stay informed of what the city is doing to ensure continuity of services, learn of any changes or delays to services, and to read updates from the Mayor’s office.

Kiva Microloans in Tacoma

In an effort to help underserved entrepreneurs and small business owners gain access to much-needed capital, Spaceworks joins forces with Kiva and the City of Tacoma to offer 0% interest microloans to Tacoma small business owners. These crowdfunded loans fill a critical lending gap for businesses that are too young, too small, or too innovative to receive loans from traditional lenders. Loans range from $1,000 to $15,000 with terms of 1-5 years to pay them back. The process requires no credit score, collateral pledges, or U.S. citizenship documentation.

Learn more about Kiva Microloans in Tacoma

Tacoma Partners with Pierce County to Expand Rental Assistance Program-Applications (opened March 8, 2021)

There are documents and information you can start collecting now to prepare for submission. Additional information may need to be collected by the provider upon intake to determine eligibility, but before you start the application you should have:

·         Household information, including birthdays, for all household members

·         Income verification for all household members for each income source including 2020 tax return for entire household OR household W-2’s, Unemployment statements, Alimony, child support, disability, retirement or VA benefits, Current or past pay stubs

·         COVID impact documentation including Proof of unemployment, Loss of wages, Loss of job, Unexpected increase in costs of childcare, etc.

·         Landlord name, email and phone number

·         Copy of lease or rental agreement

·         Statement from landlord with past due balance

·         If you’re requesting utility assistance, provide copies of past due utility bills
Utilities paid directly to your landlord will need to be included in the rent past due amount and a payment will be made to the landlord directly.

Apply Now for the Rental Assistance Program

In keeping with the City’s Welcoming Cities Policy, we will not be tracking or providing information to Immigration and Customs Enforcement about immigration or citizenship status.

Contact Information for the Rental Assistance Program

Visit piercecountywa.gov/housinghelp for more information about the program, eligibility and how to apply.

Foreclosure Prevention and Mortgage Assistance Program.

In partnership with Pierce County and Habitat for Humanity, the City’s new program provides foreclosure prevention counseling and up to four months of mortgage assistance – with a $6,000 cap – paid directly to the loan servicer, bank, or mortgage company of households who live in the city limits of Tacoma, have experienced loss of employment or reduction in wages due to COVID-19, and have an income at or below 80 percent Area Median Income for Pierce County.

Applications for the City’s Foreclosure Prevention Counseling and Mortgage Assistance Program can be submitted online. They will be accepted on a rolling basis with applicants being reviewed on a first come, first served basis until all funds have been awarded.

Requests for general information, information in alternate formats, or for technical assistance with the online application, can be directed to Habitat for Humanity Director of Homeowner Services Deena Giesen at (253) 627-5626 ext. 106, Monday through Friday, from 9 AM to 4 PM or dgiesen@tpc-habitat.org.

COVID-19 Tax Relief for Tacoma Businesses

To Access the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Tacoma Business Center PPE Grants and One-On One Technical Assistance to Support Your Business with the COVID-19 Business Recovery Efforts.

To request PPE and or technical assistance for your business continuity and or business assessment; please apply here https://mbda-tacoma.com/mbda-tacoma-launches-cares-act-program/ or contact

Ivan Golovkin
MBDA-Tacoma Business Center
igolovkin@cityoftacoma.org.
T: (253) 591-5240

Puget Sound Energy Responds to COVID-19

Puget Sound Energy is taking measurable actions to help our customers and communities during this coronavirus situation.

Pierce County Department of Emergency Management

• Guidance on Federal Disaster Loans for Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits

Governor Jay Inslee’s Office

Current state requirements for employers and individuals are posted on the Governor’s website

Rental Housing Association of Washington

COVID-19 Resources and Information for Housing Providers and Renters.

Washington State Department of Commerce

Washington State Department of Commerce Economic Resiliency Team (ERT) Business Response Center

The team is currently able to answer questions as quickly as they are received. If you’re a business owner or operator with a question, Ask Your Question Here. 

Department of Commerce Small Business Flex Fund

Borrow up to $150,000 at 3-4.5% for 60 – 72 months if you are a Washington headquartered small business.

Eligible businesses will have fewer than 50 employees, annual revenues of less than $3 million and prove a direct negative financial impact from Covid-19.  Businesses must have their headquarters or main office in Washington State. Collateral is not required however there are other security requirements.  Payday loan stores, fortune tellers, adult bookstores, strip clubs and track wagering facilities, regardless of headquarters location, are not eligible.  You can apply even if you received other Covid-19 assistance.

Eligible uses include: payroll; utilities and rent; marketing and advertising; building improvements or repairs and; other business expenses.

To access information on this non-forgiveable loan fund, please visit: https://smallbusinessflexfund.org/

Startup Washington Small Business Resiliency Assistance

SBA Increases allowable loan amounts – EIDL Loans for non-profits, small business

• The $25 billion Targeted EIDL Advance and Supplemental Advance Programs are open to the hardest hit businesses by the COVID-19 pandemic, including sole proprietors and independent contractors, and private non-profits that meet the following eligibility criteria:
• Targeted EIDL Advance
  • Up to $10,000 that does not have to be repaid
  • Must first apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
  • Be in a low-income community
  • Can demonstrate more than a 30% reduction in revenue, and
  • Have 300 or fewer employees.
• Supplemental Advance
  • $5,000 supplemental payment that does not have to be repaid
  • Complete the Targeted EIDL Advance application
  • Be in a low-income community
  • Can prove more than a 50% economic loss, and
  • Have 10 or fewer employees.
• To learn more, click here.

Helpful Links

• Click here to view a summary of the new federal stimulus package
• From the SBA: Coronavirus Recovery Information in Other Languages (sba.gov)
• SBA Lender Match helps you find lenders – Small Business
• WEDA-Small-Business-Resources-Mobilization-Campaign-Technical-Assistance-Deck-1-19-21.pdf
• U.S. Small Business Administration announced that the deadline to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program for the COVID-19 Pandemic disaster declaration is extended to Dec. 31, 2021.
• Employee Retention Tax Credit
• SBA Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program
• National Council of Nonprofits
• Visit this site for guidance on the CARES Act specific to charitable nonprofit organizations. Resources include a CARES Act Loan Options matrix and webinar titled: Federal Coronavirus Relief Bills: What Do They Mean for Nonprofits?
• Export/Import Bank of the United States
• EXIM is offering the relief measures outlined on their fact sheet
• Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center

United States Government

Comprehensive Official verified and updated Information of all aspects of the Federal Covid-19 Response.

www.USA.gov/coronavirus

• • Government Response to Coronavirus, COVID-19 | USAGov

Government Response to Coronavirus, COVID-19. Learn about international travel restrictions, how you can prepare for coronavirus, and what the U.S. government is doing in response to the virus.

www.usa.gov

Comcast RISE program in Washington.

In addition to continuing to offer media, marketing, and technology upgrades, Comcast RISE will provide one million dollars in grants to small businesses owned by people of color in King and Pierce counties (where the highest concentration of small businesses owned by people of color in Washington are located).  One hundred businesses will each receive $10,000.  The application window is October 1-14 and eligible small business will be able to apply online at www.comcastrise.com. Winners will be notified on November 23, 2021.

$10,000 grant opportunity made possible by KKR Now in its sixth round, KKR Small Business Builders is here to support entrepreneurs and their small businesses around the world. Hundreds of recipients have already been selected to receive a $10,000 grant as well as mentoring and coaching opportunities with KKR employees. Everyone who applies receives free access to the thousands of curated resources and a community of 400,000+ small business owners on Hello Alice. To qualify for the grant program, you must: Operate in the United States, United Arab Emirates, Spain, Singapore, Luxembourg, Japan, Ireland, India, Germany, France, England, China, or Australia Be a for-profit business Have 5–50 employees Have generated annual gross revenues in 2019 of less than $7 million Have a demonstrated need for support Propose a strong plan for moving forward Special tip: Although the application asks for the name and email of the KKR employee who nominated you, those questions are optional! Anybody who meet the eligibility criteria can apply. To learn more about the program and submit an application, visit kkr.helloalice.com. Apply now!

Tacoma Urban League

• Directory of Youth Resources & Programs
• Transportation Support for Food & Essential Workers
• Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs Emergency Funding Application Help

COVID-19 Artist Trust Relief Fund