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Budget Support Act/Rent Relief for Our Industry

August 4, 2021
As a direct result of our advocacy, we are thrilled to share that included in the Budget Support Act is a grant program which was conceived and advocated for by RAMW over the past year.
 
The grant program is funded with $40 million dollars and would be available to a small business operating a restaurant, tavern, nightclub, entertainment venue, or retail establishment on leased property with revenues of less than $5 million dollars in 2020. The program will pay up to one-third of rent arrearage accruing during the period of April 1, 2020 to March 30, 2021, provided the landlord abates and the tenant business pays to the landlord an equal amount of rent.
 
As passed on first reading, the plan would be limited to businesses: 
 
  • For-profit, brick & mortar, with 2020 revenue of no more than $5 million
  • In good standing with DC Tax/Revenue
  • Showing at least a 50% decrease in revenue for any 3-month period during April 2020-March 2021, compared to 2019.
  • Having a lease which extends at least until the end of 2023
  • Did not receive SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) grants or Shuttered Venue Operator Grants (SVOG)
  • Can demonstrate that they will pay 1/3 of the past due rent, an amount equal to the grant award
  • Businesses not receiving PPP funds shall be prioritized.
Establishments that received Restaurant Revitalization Fund and the Shuttered Venue Operator Grant are not eligible, and businesses that did not receive PPP will also be prioritized.
 
It is contemplated that funds will be available after October 1, 2021 and that the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development will develop regulations and procedures before then.