§ 6.88.395. Eligibility for Equity Assistance Program.

A.

To be eligible for the Equity Assistance Program as an equity employee, an individual shall satisfy the following criteria:

1.

Be a natural person; and

2.

In the last year, have had an annual family income at or below eighty percent (80%) of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Santa Clara County adjusted for family size; and

3.

The individual satisfies at least one of the following criteria:

a.

Has lived in San José for at least four years in a census tract where at least fifty-one percent (51%) of current residents have a household income at or below eight percent (80%) of the AMI for Santa Clara County; or

b.

Has attended a San José public school, or schools, for at least for years located in a census tract where at least fifty-one (51%) of current residents have a household income at or below 80% of the AMI for Santa Clara County for at least four years; or

c.

Was arrested or convicted for a crime relating to the sale, possession, use, or cultivation of cannabis, excluding those offenses which would be disqualifying for cannabis licensure under current State law; or

d.

Had a parent, guardian, child, or sibling convicted of a crime relating to the sale, possession, use, or cultivation of cannabis in the City of San José, excluding those offenses which would be disqualifying for cannabis licensure under current State law.

B.

To be eligible for the Equity Assistance Program as an equity business owner, an individual shall satisfy the criteria in subsection A above and the individual shall also have a minimum of fifty-one percent (51 %) ownership of the entity applying for a Cannabis Business Registration.

C.

Review of eligibility criteria.

1.

Proof of income shall be supported with federal tax returns and at least one (1) of the following documents: two (2) months of pay stubs, current profit and loss statement, balance sheet, or proof of current eligibility for General Assistance, Food Stamps, MedicaI/CALWORKs, or Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability (SSI/SSDI).

2.

Residency shall include proof of residency in any combination of qualifying San José census tracts pursuant to Section 6.88.395.A.3 for a minimum of four (4) years. A minimum of two (2) of the documents listed below, evidencing a minimum of four (4) years of residency, shall be considered acceptable proof of residency. All residency documents must list the first and last name of the equity business owner applicant or the equity employee applicant, and the San Jose residence address in a qualifying San José census tract pursuant to Section 6.88.395.A.3:

a.

California Driver's record or Driver's License; or

b.

California identification card record; or

c.

Property tax billing and payments; or

d.

Verified copies of State or federal income tax returns where a San Jose address within a qualifying San Jose census tract pursuant to Section 6.88.395.A.3 is listed as a primary address; or

e.

School records; or

f.

Medical records; or

g.

Banking records; or

h.

Utility, cable, or internet company billing and payment covering any month in each of the four (4) years.

3.

Proof of conviction should be demonstrated through federal or State court records indicating the disposition of the criminal matter.

(Ord. 30234.)