District 7 Newsletter – April 24, 2020

Dear Friends,

This week we have a new format to guide you through the COVID-19 information. We've divided up the newsletter into separate sections for Residents, Artists, and Businesses so you can quickly get to your area of interest using the index just below this message.

In our Assistance for Residents section you will find information on the City's new public testing enrollment form, a press conference from Austin-Travis County Interim Medical Director and Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott on updated orders for long-term care facilities, and Phase 1 distribution for Relief in a State of Emergency (RISE) funds for residents. 

For our local artists, there is new emergency funding through the Creative Spaces Assistance Program to assist local artists affected by the pandemic. We have more information below in the Assistance for Artists section.

And in the Assistance for Small Business section, the big news is new federal assistance for COVID-19 relief approved just this afternoon, with more dollars for the Paycheck Protection Program, emergency disaster loans, as well as funding for our hospitals, healthcare providers, and more money for testing. If you are a small business in need of assistance, please contact your bank as soon as possible and begin your application process - the federal dollars will go fast.

Also this week, the City's Emergency Assistance Loan Program was launched. The City of Austin has already received over 700 loan inquiries and 58 are District 7 business owners. If you are considering applying for this bridge loan, please watch this week's press conference with Economic Development Department Director Veronica Briseño below, and follow the links for more information.

Lastly, Good Works Austin is a coalition of Austin's small businesses activated to build resilience and gain more assistance for members affected by the pandemic. The group includes some of District 7 (and greater Austin) favorites, listed below. A huge thank you to Crestview resident and Violet Crown Clubhouse founder Mike Lavigne for his efforts to keep our beloved small business community thriving.

Stay safe and healthy,

Leslie

• Assistance for Residents
• Assistance for Artists
• Assistance for Small Business
• Community News

Drive-thru tests will also be by appointment only and scheduled through the Austin Public Testing Enrollment Form portal. If you have completed your Austin Public Testing Enrollment Form and you have been approved for a test, you will receive a confirmation via phone, email or SMS with a QR code and instructions for the testing site within the same day. The portal will also allow you to schedule the location, date and time for a drive-thru testing appointment.

Austin Public Health announces social service 
agencies to distribute RISE funds

Austin, Texas – Austin Public Health (APH) has identified the first phase of social service agencies to receive funding through Relief in a State of Emergency (RISE) to provide immediate services to those Austinites impacted by COVID-19.

The RISE funding includes a total of $15 million passed through Austin City Council resolution #20200409-81. Given the immediate needs within the community, RISE funds will be distributed in two phases. Phase 1 will distribute funds in April, followed by Phase 2 in May.

The following agencies have demonstrated experience providing community-based services and financial assistance:

• Catholic Charities - $1.6 million
• Asian Family Support Services - $1 million
• El Buen Samaritano - $500,000
• Austin Area Urban League - $500,000

APH is also partnering with the Equity Office to administer funds. The Equity Office has selected Family Independence Initiative (FII). FII will work with several small community-based organizations to administer funds.

"RISE Funding gives Austin Public Health the opportunity to support community resiliency by partnering with non-profits and social service agencies to get financial assistance and relief services to those hit hardest by COVID-19,” said Adrienne Sturrup, APH Assistant Director for Health Equity and Community Engagement. “Austin Public Health will do this work in  collaboration with the Equity Office to ensure an equitable infusion of funds to a variety of grassroots organizations best positioned to reach historically marginalized populations during a time when conventional  methods aren't feasible." 

City staff anticipates awarding multiple agreements between $250,000 and $2 million. Smaller amounts may be considered for smaller non-profit organizations who are experienced in reaching vulnerable populations.

Community members needing immediate assistance can contact the agencies selected to distribute RISE funds. Eligibility for the funds includes being under 200% of the federal poverty level, directly impacted by COVID-19 and ineligible for CARE Act funding. For more information on RISE, visit www.AustinTexas.gov/RISE. For more information on COVID-19, visit www.AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.

• Travis County COVID-19 Information
• Texas Health and Human Services COVID-19 Dashboard
• UT Austin: Modeling the Benefits of Social Distancing 
• UT Austin: Helping Texans Stay in Their Homes
• City of Austin Resources for Veterans
• KXAN: New Testing Sites and Testing Options Available 
• Austin ISD COVID-19 Update
• Free Child Care for Essential Workers
• Community Not Commodity's List of Resources
• COVID-19 questions? You can call 3-1-1, or complete this form online. 

• An additional $321 billion for the SBA Paycheck Protection Program
• An additional $10 billion for the SBA Emergency Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
• An additional $50 billion for SBA 7(b) Disaster Loans
• An additional $75 billion for hospitals and healthcare providers
• $25 billion for COVID testing

The Austin Economic Injury Bridge Loan Program was launched this week to provide short-term loans, up to $35,000 per business, for qualifying Austin small businesses. Some local businesses have asked us when they can expect to receive the funds.  Austin’s Economic Development Department is working efficiently to get money to small businesses.  One major factor influencing the timeline is how long it takes business owners to submit a complete application and sign/notarize their closing documents. 

The program launched days ago and has had over 700 loan inquiries. If you are considering applying for the Austin Economic Injury Bridge Loan Program, you need to know that the deadline is May 8, 2020 to apply. Here is the form to find out if your business meets the minimum requirements and general eligibility criteria. 

• City of Austin CARES Act Funding (First round)
• Souly Austin Business Resource Updates