Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan signed an updated executive order to extend COVID-19 relief and protection regulations to March 31. | Facebook
Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan signed an updated executive order to extend COVID-19 relief and protection regulations to March 31. | Facebook
Coronavirus financial relief measures for residents and businesses were extended through March 31, Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan's office said.
Durkan signed the new executive order in December expanding COVID-19 relief measures for residents by continuing the suspension of residential, nonprofit and small business evictions and late fees on delinquent utility accounts.
"These efforts, coupled with our work over the last several months to provide tens of millions of immediate financial relief to residents, workers, and small businesses, are critical to helping our communities in this immensely challenging year," Durkan said in the statement.
Under the latest order, independently-owned businesses with 50 employees or fewer per establishment and public and private nonprofits are also protected from eviction and incurring late fees, interest, or other charges due to late payment.
"We put one of the first in the nation moratoriums on evictions in place early in the pandemic to help keep people in their homes and keep businesses afloat," Durkan said in the statement.
While the order is in place, tenants are still legally obligated to pay rent, but landlords are encouraged to offer flexible payment plans. The city has allocated $18 million in funds for rental assistance for landlords and tenants.
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