Boston Launches $3M Tenant Fund and $2M Business Grants Amid COVID-19 Surge

Uncategorized 2026-07-22 clip6254 · Meeting of July 22, 2026

Boston announces $5 million in emergency pandemic relief funds as COVID-19 cases climb to 1,233. The mayor unveiled a $3 million tenant assistance fund — targeting residents who have lost income and do not qualify for federal aid — alongside a $2 million small business grant program drawing on city, federal, and private contributions, with applications opening Monday at boston.gov/businessrelief. Attorney General Maura Healey was cited as a contributor to the business fund.

Construction began the same day on a 500-bed facility for homeless COVID-positive adults at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, which could expand to serve hospital overflow patients; combined with existing capacity, the city says it will have more than 1,000 beds for its homeless population. The mayor stopped short of announcing fines for social distancing violations but warned enforcement is "inevitable" if voluntary compliance fails during the anticipated surge over the next two to three weeks, with Boston recording 10 resident deaths and a single-day case increase of 176.

In the full story:

• COVID-19 Case Update
• Convention Center Field Hospital
• Tenant Relief Fund — $3 Million
• Small Business Relief Fund — $2 Million
• Physical Distancing Enforcement and Public Behavior
• Public Comment and Q&A
• The complete report — 1,575 words

Source: the Uncategorized 2026-07-22 clip6254 meeting of July 22, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.