CITY OF RENTON WASHINGTON

The city council has approved $3.6 million to support economic recovery and fund housing, homeless prevention, and human services programs.

The money comes from the city’s $18.1 million allocation from the federal government as part of the American Recuse Plan Act (ARPA).

The funding includes a $1.0 million contribution to the Washington Flex Fund, which provides small business loans. The Washington State Department of Commerce will do a 2:1 match for all money spent if committed by October 1, 2021. Small businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $150,000 and use it for general business expenses. The loans have low interest rates and no fees. The first year’s payment is interest only.

The council committed $600,000 for small business grants to support retail businesses in the downtown core disproportionately impacted due to COVID-19 and construction delays during the Wells/Williams conversion project.

Housing, homeless, and human services programs will receive $1.5 million. The funds will assist residents with utility bills, rent, or other uses identified through the city’s equity lens.

The council allocated $500,000 to buy additional hardware and software to support remote services provided to residents by city staff.

The city’s Finance Department briefed the council on proposed ARPA funds allocation. If you didn’t see the presentation, we’ve included it for your review.

Expiration of the utility rate moratorium; what does it mean?

The Sept. 30 expiration of the governor’s moratorium on utility bill payment has brought uncertainty and questions for many Renton residents.

The end of the moratorium allows utility companies to start collecting outstanding charges on water, electricity, or natural gas service.

The City of Renton is committed to keeping our utility customers connected to essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Water Utility Service Providers map

Customers received a notice in September about the end of the moratorium. Since that notice went out, we have received either payment or set up a payment plan for almost half of the overdue accounts. We know this is a difficult time for many and are happy to help to avoid service interruption.

If you are experiencing hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for support, including a long-term payment arrangement or bill assistance. Contact our utility billing office to assist with setting up a payment plan to avoid possible service interruptions. Staff can be reached Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 425-430-6852.

Many of our customers also receive utility service from several other entities within the Renton city limits. Below is a list of contact information for some of the other agencies.

Cedar River Water and Sewer District

• 425-255-6370
• Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Coal Creek Utility District

• 425-235-9200
• Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

King County Water District #90

• 425-255-9600
• Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:40 p.m.

Puget Sound Energy

• 1-888-225-5773; 1-800-962-9498 (TTY)
• Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Republic Services

• 206-777-6440
• Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Soos Creek Water and Sewer District

• 253-630-9900, Option 3
• Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The Washington State Department of Commerce has established a utility assistance page to help connect with providers and information. The information is available in multiple languages.

Eviction Moratorium extended to Oct. 31

Tenants behind in their rent got some help when the governor extended the moratorium on evictions through Oct. 31.

The department of commerce has several available assistance programs:

• Organizations available to King County residents

• Resources in 36 languages, including applying for assistance and legal help.

• Limited landlord relief program, may allow owners of six or fewer rental units to recuperate up to 80% of the unpaid rental payments where tenants are non-communicative or unqualified for the Eviction Rental Assistance Program. Other restrictions apply.

• Youth and Young Adult Eviction Rent Assistance Program for those under the age of 25.

Washington 2-1-1 has additional information.

If you think you were exposed to COVID-19, free testing is available in King County.

• Renton Testing Site

• FInd a testing site

• Get tested if you have any of these symptoms

• Public Health - Seattle King County COVID-19 Dashboard

• COVID-19 Event Risk Assessment Planning Tool A map that shows the risk level of attending an event, given the event size and location.

• WA Notify - a new tool that works through smartphones, without sharing any personal information, to alert users if they may have been exposed to COVID-19. It is completely private, and doesn’t know or track who you are or where you go.

• COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Planning from Washington State Department of Health

Nearby vaccination locations:

Valley Medical Center

• Walk-in Pfizer and Moderna free clinic for anyone 12 and older from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

• Schedule an appointment.

HealthPoint

• Drive through testing and vaccination site (805 SW 10th St., 98057), offers drive-through access for the Pfizer vaccine.

• Appointments for 12-16 year olds or new patients can be made by calling 866-893-5717.

• Current patients over age 18 can use MyHealthPoint Portal to schedule an appointment.

Kaiser Permanente

• To schedule by phone, call 1-877-832-9915, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Interpreters are available. Patients who are 16-17 years old must have a parent or guardian call to schedule their appointment.

• Schedule online.

King County

• Getting vaccinated in King County

• City Hall/City Clerk: 425-430-6400

• Business Licensing & Tax: 425-430-6851; filelocal-wa.gov

• Permitting, General: 425-430-7200

• Utility Billing: 425-430-6852; rentonwa.gov/ub

• Financial Information

• Small Business Resources

• Rent & Mortgage Resources

• CD CResource

• Downloadable Sings

• Business Response Team

• Resources in Multiple Languages

• COVID-19 Impact Map

In-Person Services available Monday-Wednesday at city hall

Nearly all of our services are available online and our staff is, in many ways, even more accessible than ever thanks to innovative improvements to our virtual environment.

We recognize that not everyone has access to technology, so we are continuing to offer in-person services at city hall as follows:

• Finance and police counters are open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  
  Note: Fingerprinting is not currently available.

• Our in-person permit counter is closed but is available virtually. We can provide a computer and telephone to attend a pre-scheduled appointment in our lobby.

• Municipal Court Counter Services are available Thursdays and Fridays
  8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Note: Hearings continue to be via Zoom/virtual

Note: Passports are not currently available

Masks are required to enter our buildings, including City Hall. You will be asked health screening questions and we are limiting the number of people inside at our counters so you may be asked to wait outside until space is available.

• Bloodworks Northwest is short on supplies. Find a donation event.

• American Red Cross Blood Drives.

• Those wishing to volunteer can register with United Way.

• King County Regional Donations Connector is a virtual donation management center.

• Monetary contributions can be made via Seattle Foundation's COVID-19 Response Fund.

• Renton Regional Community Foundation has launched a COVID-19 Response Fund.

• Communities In School Renton-Tukwila COVID-19 Emergency Fund.

• Emergency Feeding Program

• All In WA launches a Click to link to All in Washington to help overcome the digital divide between students across the state.

City of Renton Human Services Resources Guide.

• Salvation Army Food Bank (206 S. Tobin St., Renton 425-255-5969). New clients should bring the following on their first visit: picture identification for person applying and for all members over the age of 18 living in their home (copies or a picture of household member ID’s works); Proof of address for all members 18 years of age living in the household; and birth certificate or other legal guardianship paperwork for all minors living in the household.

• Renton Community Meals (Salvation Army, 720 S. Tobin St.)

• Renton Community Meals (Salvation Army 300 Rainier Ave. N.)

• Sustainable Renton Free Grocery Store, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church (1700 Edmonds Ave NE, Renton 98056), Mondays, 5:30–7:30 p.m.

• Margie Williams Helping Hands Center (973 Chelan Ave. NE). 

• 211.org: access point for homeless shelters, food and other related resources.

• REACH Center of Hope and Meal Coalition.

• Doug Baldwin has organized deliveries through his familyfirstrenton.org.

• Renton Regional Community Foundation has a COVID-19 Response Fund. 

• South King County Food Fighters

• Donations to WA Food Fund provide financial assistance to three organizations that supply every food bank in Washington: Second Harvest, Food Lifeline and Northwest Harvest. Donations will fund food, materials, and personal protective equipment, as well as delivery and distribution.

• King County: Emergency food access resources.

• COVID-19 Seattle-area Emergency Food Resources  

• United Way of King County is providing free food boxes to South King County community members who have been affected by COVID-19. Sign up.

KCLS and FEMA Partnership Makes Registering for Funeral Assistance Easier

• English

• Spanish

Housing authority has CARES Act funding

Renton Housing Authority (RHA) has received CARES Act funding from the city.

These funds will assist our Renton residents who have been impacted by COVID-19 and are now in need of rent and utility assistance.

RHA has up to $3,000 per household in rental assistance and up to $500 per household in utility assistance available. Since their funding is limited, applications will be served in the order received. The last date to apply is Monday, Nov. 15, 2020.

African Community Housing & Development Renton Residents Rent and Utility Assistance Program

African Community Housing and Development (ACHD) is providing rent and utility assistance to Renton residents.

Connect with staff at 206-257-1166 Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more information.

Eligibility

1. Services provided with funding under this program shall be limited to residents of Renton.

2. Economic support to residents is COVID-19 related, resulting from employment and/or business interruptions due to COVID-19 –related business closures, and/or inability to work due to COVID-19 illness of a resident or a family member.

3. Residents meet the applicable income guidelines. The purpose of this program is to provide assistance to the most income resilient population (those with household income of 50% or below of AMI (area median income), but residents with household income of up to 80% of AMI can qualify.

4. Assistance will not be a duplication of benefits, i.e. the cost has not or will not be paid by another source for example Seattle Care or any other agencies using ACHD funds.

Needed from Residents

1. Proof they reside in Renton (utility bill, rent contract, bank statement, other).

2. Recent Rent/ Utility Bill(s) of past due notice.

3. Letter from employer or unemployment check showing loss of income.
   
   A. Verification of income (pay stubs).
   B. Letter of employer for termination or reduced hours due to COVID-19.

4. Proof that they make UNDER the AMI guidelines.

5. They will NOT receive other help from other organizations under this grant.

Needed from Landlord and/or Utility Company

1. Address of tenant and landlord.

2. W-9 (proof that Landlord and/ or Utility Company are legitimate)

The Salvation Army of Renton

Call their main number at 425-255-5969 and choose option 4 (eviction prevention) to get information on rent assistance and all the details for the application/intake process. 

Callers can also select Option 5 for utility assistance and learn details in regards to the application/intake process.

Salvation Army follows a process of first come, first serve for helping with both rent and utility assistance. Using their information line is the best way.

Multi-Service Center

The Multi-Service Center currently has limited funding to support families and individuals directly impacted by the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic with rent assistance. To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

• Live in Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, SeaTac, or Tukwila

• Have been directly impacted by the crisis and be able to provide documentation of impact, such as, but not limited to pay stubs, unemployment benefits, letter from employer, or medical emergency documentation

• Have a current monthly income that falls within the income limits for household size listed below. We may not have funding available for both tiers. Please check our website (link below) for most current info.

Questions? Email covidrenthelp@mscheipsorg.

United Way of King County

• Rent help for King County residents

United Way of King County (UWKC ) is offering free online tax preparation services through the end of tax season.

Individuals can file taxes via UWKC’s MyFreeTaxes.com or find other free filing options at IRS's Free File.

UWKC has toll-free hotline, 1-833-540-0800, for assistance with My Free Taxes. Help is available 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on weekends.

Healthcare

• Valley Medical Center's COVID-19 page. 

• HealthPoint in Renton.

• Public Health’s Community Health Access Program for those without a doctor. Call 1-800-756-5437 or CHAP@kingcounty.gov for a free consultation and connection to free or low-cost medical providers and low-cost health insurance.

• Nurse Journal: The Crucial Role of Nurses in Public Health Emergencies

• Washington Dept. of Health: When to use the emergency room

• WIC - WIC is a supplemental food program for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, infants and children. WIC also provides health screening, nutrition and health education, breastfeeding promotion and support, help getting other services and monthly benefits for nutritious foods.

• COVID-19 Resources for the elderly and families

Mental Health Resources

• CDC: Managing Anxiety and Stress during COVID-19

• CDC: Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event

• SAMHSA: Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health

• King County: Crisis Connections

• Wash DoH: Social Distancing and Mental Health

• Seattle Times: Community Support Resources

Seniors

Medicare Advantage - Tips for how seniors can stay healthy and connected during the COVID-19 pandemic

Additionally, there are several recommended things you can do to support yourself:

• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.

• Take care of your body. Take deep breaths and stretch, eat healthy meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid excessive alcohol and drugs.

• Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.

• Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

• Business licenses, pet licenses, courts, tax and licensing and utility bills can all be paid online.

• Business Licensing & Tax: 425-430-6851; filelocal-wa.gov.

• RASKC: Regional Animal Services of King County 

• CDC - If you have pets

• Offices are closed to the public. Runway and services are operating.

• General information available on website or call 425-430-7471 (administration) or 206-423-3715 (maintenance).

Unfortunately, scammers are preying on the fears surrounding COVID-19.

The Federal Trade Commission has some tips on dealing with those unwanted phone calls and emails. The state also has help with stimulus payment scams.

Men’s Shelters & Day Centers

ARISE
Catholic Community Services. Hosted by a different Renton church every month. Includes case management services.

• Space is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Overnight services from 7:30 p.m.-7:30 a.m. Men allowed on-site at 7 p.m.
• 515B 116th Ave NE
  Bellevue, WA 98004
  (425) 289-4044

Day Center
Resource referrals, showers, laundry, meals. Open Sunday-Thursday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

• 515B 116th Ave NE Suite 174
  Bellevue, WA 98004
  Women’s Shelters & Day Centers

Women's Shelters and Day Centers

Kent Hope
Resource referrals, showers, laundry, meals, healthcare. Open every day 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

• 9009 Canyon Drive
  Kent, WA 98030
  (253) 480-2325

The Sophia Way
Apply for extended stay shelter online.
Resource referrals, showers, laundry, breakfast/lunch. Open every day 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

• 3032 Bellevue Way NE
  Bellevue, WA 98004
  (425) 896-7385

Women’s Referral Center
Check-in at Angeline’s Day Center between 6-9 p.m. then transported to host locations for overnight stay. The center offers showers, laundry, and dinner.

• 2030 3rd Ave.
  Seattle, WA 98101
  (206) 441-3210

Hospitality House
Opens at 6 p.m. every night.

• 419 SW 150th St.
  Burien, Washington 98166
  (206) 242-1860

Family Shelters & Day Centers

Center of Hope Day Center
Resource referrals, showers, laundry. Open Monday–Friday
7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

St. Matthews Lutheran Church
1700 Edmonds Ave. NE

Mary’s Place
Call 206-245-1026 for shelter referrals. 

• Releases

COVID-19 key hubs of online information and resources

• King County
  

• State of Washington

• Federal Government
  

• King County Regional Donations Connector - Matching donations of money, food, goods, and services to agencies in need. Submit questions

News Links

• Public Health Insider releases
  

• Governor’s Office
  

• Governor's press conference live stream
  

• Washington Dept. of Health
  

• Washington State COVID-19
  

• King County Executive

• Viruses don't discriminate and neither should we.

Resources

• King County Emergency News

• Public Health - Seattle & King County news

• Centers for Disease Control

• Governor's Coronavirus resources (coronovirus.wa.gov)

• Coronavirus fact sheets in multiple languages

• Emergency Preparedness Standards

• State Resources for Business

• Homeless Services Provider Resources

• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds

• When unable to wash your hands, use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth

• Avoid contact with people who are sick

• Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others

• Have backup plans for work and/or childcare.

• Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

• Call your doctor – Do not go into the medical facility

• Your doctor will make an assessment about next steps. If it is determined that you should be screened for COVID-19, your doctor will contact King County Public Health to make arrangements for screening.

• Take all appropriate precautions. Do not go to work if you are sick.  Wash your hands often and do not touch your face.

Here in Renton, we’re stronger as a community when we stand together against discrimination.

People who are traveling should be aware of the impacted countries, and if they become ill after traveling, call a doctor or hospital.

Please stay informed and prepared. We’ll continue to keep our community updated via our website, Facebook and Twitter accounts.