City of Monterey Park Statement on Rising Cases of Anti-Asian Hate Crimes Across the Nation

The recent attacks of violence across the nation, which have been specifically targeting different ethnicities are deeply disturbing. The violence directed at our Asian and Pacific Islander families will never be tolerated in the City of Monterey Park.

On March 18 City Manager Ron Bow stated, “We condemn these terrible acts of hate and violence. The rising incidence of anti-Asian hate crimes is intolerable.”

Chief of Police Kelly Gordon wants the community to know, “There have not been any reported incidents in Monterey Park and members of this Department’s top priority is to ensure all community members are safe regardless of ethnic or social background.”

One of the strengths of the Monterey Park community is our diversity. We must remain united against hate and these acts of violence are not acceptable here or anywhere else.

Keep Our Shops on the Block Grant: Covid-19 Relief Grant Opportunity Available

On April 1 Grants of $10,000 to support small brick-and-mortar businesses in the personal care and retail sectors

Small businesses in the personal care and retail sector located in Monterey Park and all of Los Angeles County can apply for $10,000 grants starting April 5, 2021.

Eligible businesses include hair and beauty salons, nail salons, estheticians, skin-care specialists, barbershops, dry cleaners, bakeries, and automotive or appliance repair, flower shops, party supply stores, bookstores, apparel stores, bakeries, donut shops, community grocery stores/markets, and variety discount stores.

To qualify, the applying businesses must have:

• Experienced financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 and be able to document it.
• A brick-and-mortar location or storefront in Los Angeles County, excluding the City of Los Angeles.
• Been in operation since September 4, 2019 and still be currently in business
• Annual revenue under $1 million

The County chose the personal care and retail sector for the grant because those businesses were among the most impacted by the pandemic, as restrictions forced closures for much of 2020.

Business owners can apply for the grant at lacovidfund.org/application.  Applications are open April 5 through April 11 and April 26 through May 2.

For more information on the program, grant requirements, and eligibility, please contact the City of Monterey Park Economic Development team at 626-307-1385.  We can also assist with other resources to help Monterey Park businesses recover and keep workers employed.  

LA County Mortgage Relief Program to Offer $20,000 Grants to Property Owners Affected by COVID-19

Starting April 12, 2021, the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) will offer eligible homeowners the opportunity to apply for the LA County Mortgage Relief Program, a partnership with Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County (NHS) and local Department of Housing and Urban Development approved housing counseling agencies. Property owners can apply for the Mortgage Relief Program by calling 888-895-2647 or visiting nhslacounty.org/mortgagereliefprogram..

The Mortgage Relief Program will include a relief fund which provides grants of up to $20,000 for qualified property owners, plus expanded foreclosure prevention counseling services. Free foreclosure prevention counseling will be provided by nonprofit HUD-approved counseling agencies to property owners in multiple languages.

The program is structured to benefit single-family homeowners and property owners with four or fewer units living in communities highly impacted by COVID-19. This includes low- and moderate-income communities and those who have suffered a higher percentage of significant health impacts during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Properties must be owner occupied.

NHS will administer the relief fund and deploy funds to qualified applicants from a diverse set of cities and unincorporated areas throughout Los Angeles County, excluding the City of Los Angeles. DCBA and NHS-LA have determined qualification requirements for applicants. Relief funds will be paid directly to lenders and servicers. To find more ways how LA County can help property owners, visit DCBA’s foreclosure prevention website at dcba.lacounty.gov/foreclosure-prevention.

Monterey Park City Hall is located at 320 W. Newmark Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754. City hall is closed to the public until further notice. For more information about other resident and small business owner programs and city COVID-19 updates, please visit www.montereypark.ca.gov/238/Coronavirus-Updates.