Jenny Wong, City Auditor
Promoting transparency and accountability in Berkeley government.
Audit News
from the City Auditor
April 2020
Bay Area Health Officers Extend, Update Stay-At- Home Order With New Restrictions through May 3
More time and additional restrictions needed to slow the spread and reduce future impact on local hospitals from COVID-19
The City of Berkeley’s Health Officer along with 6 other Bay Area public health jurisdictions are extending a previous stay-at-home order through May 3, 2020 in order to preserve critical hospital capacity across the region.

While the Mar. 16th order seemed to reduce the rate of transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), it is not enough. There has been a significant increase in the number of positive cases, hospitalization and deaths from COVID-19, which is beginning to strain healthcare resources.

The Health Officers have determined that more and stricter social distancing is needed to slow the rate of spread, prevent deaths, and stop the health care system from becoming overwhelmed.

The new stay-at-home order will supersede the previous order and go into effect at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31. It is a complement to the indefinite statewide stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier this month.

Like the previous local order, the new order requires people to stay at home except for doing essential activities, such as grocery shopping, in six counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara, as well as the City of Berkeley. Non-essential businesses will remain closed.

The new order adds some clarifying language around essential business and activities, as well as some new directives, including:

  • Use of playgrounds, dog parks, public picnic areas, and similar recreational areas is prohibited. These areas must be closed to public use.

  • Use of shared public recreational facilities such as golf courses, tennis and basketball courts, pools, and rock walls is prohibited. These facilities must be closed for recreational use.

  • Sports requiring people to share a ball or other equipment must be limited to people in the same household

  • Requires essential businesses to develop a social distancing protocol before April 3

  • Most construction—residential and commercial—is prohibited

  • Funerals limited to no more than 10 people attending

  • Essential businesses expanded to include service providers that enable residential transactions (notaries, title companies, Realtors, etc.); funeral homes and cemeteries; moving companies, rental car companies and rideshare services that specifically enable essential activities

  • Essential businesses that continue to operate facilities must scale down operations to their essential component only

“While many people have taken on these responsibilities with care and focus, we need to do even better,” said Dr. Lisa B. Hernandez, the City of Berkeley Health Officer. “Lives depend on everyone taking action.”

Social distancing is the most powerful tool to slow the spread of COVID-19, a virus so new that it has no approved medicines or vaccines.

For more information about City of Berkeley COVID-19 response, please go to https://www.cityofberkeley.info/covid-19/
COVID-19 Hardship Grants For Renters, Small Businesses, Arts And Nonprofit Org
Berkeley’s low-income renters, arts organizations, small businesses, and other non-profit organizations can apply now for emergency relief funds to lessen the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $3 million from the City of Berkeley for these emergency relief programs will be expanded by charitable contributions from individuals and businesses to this newly created  Berkeley Relief Fund

Low-income Berkeley residents unable to pay rent or meet basic needs due to the COVID-19 emergency can apply for housing retention grants of up to $10,000. To apply:

  • Phone: Due to the incredibly high volume of rental assistance queries, we ask that tenants call EBCLC for assistance. Please call 510-548-4040, ext. 629, and leave a message with your Name, Phone Number, and indicate you are Berkeley resident calling for financial assistance. A staff member will call you back as soon as possible to determine whether you are eligible for the program. Thank you for your patience during this time.

This grant program is intended to prevent homelessness for Berkeley residents. Funds may be used to supplement rent for temporary or permanent housing, utility bills, or other housing-related expenses. Applicants will be required to submit documentation of their low-income status, rental agreement or lease, and other relevant information.

Visit the City’s website  to learn more about eligibility requirements and the required application materials

All Berkeley-based nonprofit arts organizations can apply for grants of up to $25,000 to help buffer the early financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nonprofit arts organizations operating in Berkeley for no less than one year must demonstrate that their earned revenues decreased by at least 25% due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applications will be accepted and considered on a rolling basis beginning on Monday, March 30, 2020, with the first round of Arts Organization Relief Funding closing on Monday, April 20, 2020 at 5PM.

Arts organizations can apply online now , through April 20 at 5pm, for a continuity grant .

Berkeley-based small businesses and nonprofits can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to help them survive through and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligibility for this program is open to all businesses and nonprofits in Berkeley that:
  • have an active business license in Berkeley as of March 1, 2020
  • have at least one and no more than fifty employees;
  • can demonstrate that revenues have decreased by at least 25% due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • will use grant funds to cover payroll, rent, or working capital for the business to cover operational expenses.

Applications will be accepted beginning on Monday, March 30, 2020. In order to be considered for the first round of Small Business Continuity Grants, applications must be submitted by Monday, April 6 at 5pm (PDT).

Small businesses and nonprofits can apply now , through April 6 at 5pm, for a continuity grant.
The 2020 Census Is As Important As Ever
Today is Census 2020 Day! Your response matters. Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year.

Health clinics. Fire departments. Schools. Even roads and highways. The census can shape many different aspects of your community.

Take 10 minutes to make a difference for 10 years. Go to
Berkeley City Auditor | Website