The CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program covers 100% of unpaid rent and utilities for eligible renters and their landlords who have been impacted by COVID-19. The program will continue accepting applications until all funds are exhausted. Beginning October 1, 2021, state eviction protections changed, and a renter should apply to the program if they haven’t already, to prevent eviction.

As of October 1, 2021, landlords seeking an eviction based on non-payment of COVID-related debt or of rental debt incurred between October 1, 2021 and March 30, 2022, must prove that that they have applied to the COVID-19 Rent Relief program, and that the application has been denied or the renter has failed to complete their section, before a legal eviction can take place. Eligible renters who are at risk of eviction are urged to apply, even if their landlord has not applied.

HOW TO APPLY
To check eligibility and apply, visit HousingIsKey.com or call 833-430-2122. For assistance in another language, or to verify eligibility, get help with an application or upload paperwork, applicants are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a local organization by calling 833-687-0967.

WHO CAN APPLY?
Renters: Eligible renters who have unpaid rent due to COVID-19 and are at risk of eviction should apply for the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program as soon as possible. As of October 1, 2021, if an eviction notice is received, a renter has 15 business days to apply for the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program AND must notify their landlord that they’ve applied. Renters do not need to wait to receive an eviction notice before applying for the program. The sooner a renter applies for rent relief, the sooner they will be protected from eviction for non-payment of COVID-related debt.

Landlords: Landlords with tenants who owe unpaid rent due to COVID-19 must apply for the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program before starting an eviction process and should consider submitting a joint application with their tenant. Upon approval, landlords will be paid directly for 100% of an eligible renters’ unpaid rent.

Once an application is submitted by either party, both parties will be notified to submit any additional information needed to complete the application process or will be informed of approval and payment processing. All applicant information is kept private and will not be shared. Eligible applicants may qualify regardless of immigration status and will not be required to show proof of citizenship.

If a landlord does not participate in the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program, a renter should still apply on their own, notify their landlord of their application, and if approved, will receive 100% financial assistance for their unpaid rent. Once funds are received, the renter must pay their landlord within five business days.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU KNOW?
Assistance from the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program does NOT count as earned income for renters and will NOT affect eligibility for any other California state benefit assistance programs, such as CalFresh and CalWORKS. Applying to the program will not impact your residency status or impact path to citizenship.

The Bay Area Entrepreneur Center of Skyline College (BAEC) hosts various workshops for the Skyline community, local businesses, and students. Due to the pandemic, the BAEC transitioned to hosting virtual workshops and events via Zoom, which allowed people from around the world to join us and learn more on different business topics.

Due to the increased use in Zoom, the BAEC hosted a How To Use Zoom For Your Business last week for small business owners. Facilitator Nicole Moreno-Deinzer went over the basic steps from how to download the application to your computer, set up an account, change your virtual background, to how to record and upload to your social media platforms.

We also co-hosted a workshop with a Skyline College graduate, Tiffany Razo, a CTEC Registered Tax Preparer. She provided detailed tax law updates for 2021 and brought resources to local business owners and the community.

If you have expertise that a small business or the community is looking for or you’re interested in hosting a workshop and sharing your knowledge, JOIN US! You can fill out a cohost interest form here and we’ll reach out to you.

For more information, connect with us at baec@smccd.edu.

 

Article by Ling Chien

Image by Ling Chien

The San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) is undertaking the development of our Campus Facilities Master Plans (FMP). Please join us on Tuesday, November 2nd from 1:00-2:30pm for a virtual community meeting to learn more about this effort at Skyline College. The meetings will introduce you to the process, objectives and goals of the FMP and serve as a forum to share key findings from the initial phase of planning.

Following the presentation, there will be an opportunity for questions and feedback.

Zoom registration link: https://tinyurl.com/SKYLINEFMP

Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 2 at 3:00pm, when the Human Library returns for its fifth year! If you’re not familiar, the Human Library is a virtual session – hosted by Skyline College Library – where you can enjoy a conversation with a “human book,” usually a member of our community who is interested in sharing their story.

How does it work? As a “reader,” you’ll select one or two human books to “check out,” usually for 25 minutes at a time, and have a conversation together on Zoom (facilitated by the Library). It’s an opportunity to ask questions about their lives and the stories they have chosen to share, and receive honest answers in return.

The Human Library provides a chance to meet people from different backgrounds and learn about their experiences – particularly people who have felt the sting of prejudice, stigma, and marginalization.

Any member of our community is welcome to participate as a “reader.” Beginning October 25, you may sign up for one or two 25 minute courageous conversations here: bit.ly/SelectABook

You’ll find all of our previous books described in the Human Book Archive: guides.skylinecollege.edu/TheHumanLibrary/bookarchive

We encourage instructors to consider offering credit for student participation. Please contact Pia Walawalkar, Equity & Outreach Librarian, with questions: <walawalkars@smccd.edu>

Last but not least: the Human Library is a popular event. Don’t forget to sign up beginning October 25 to reserve your “human book(s).” We’ll see you November 2!

Article by Jessica Silver-Sharp

SAGA at Skyline College, in collaboration with the Intercultural Center, is organizing our annual National Coming Out Day event this Monday, 10/25 from 4PM – 5:30PM.

We will have panelists (consisting of Skyline College faculty, students, and community members) who are sharing their coming out stories from the intersection of gender, sexual, and racial/ethnic identities across various generations. Additionally, we are inviting community members from CSM SZA (Safe Zone Alliance) and Canada College Student Life to make this a District-wide collaboration event.

Through this event, we want to increase the visibility of the LGBTQI+ communities on campus, connect and strengthen our support system and celebrate the unique stories that people will bring to the table.

Registration: https://smccd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrd-qtqTMqH9X9UOpV_l8Lvp1nVrKmVzAm

Please contact Allen Ocampo, at ocampoallen@smccd.edu if you have any questions.

Article by Allen Ocampo