ATLANTA — Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is making decisive measures to make sure the city is protected amid an unprecedented public health emergency.
Mayor Bottoms signed two executive orders Tuesday related to the city's handling of the spread of a new strain of coronavirus, called COVID-19.
The first action imposed a moratorium on residential evictions and filings for the next 60 days, in order to keep families in their homes as the virus spreads.
During this time, the Atlanta Housing Authority, Atlanta BeltLine Inc., Fulton County / City of Atlanta Land Bank Authority, Invest Atlanta, Partners for Home and the City of Atlanta’s Department of Grants and Community Development are ordered not to evict families for non-payment of rent, or impose late fees and other charges because of a missed or late payment of rent for properties sponsored or funded by the entities.
“Social distancing, home confinement and self-quarantines are critical in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19,” the mayor said. “The ability for Atlanta residents to remain in their homes is a key component of our collective community efforts to prevent further exposure and spread of this virus. As Mayor, I am calling on our partners to bolster our collective efforts and ensure housing stability for residents.”
In the second actions, Bottoms created a $7 million fund to help those impacted by COVID-19. The resources, the mayor's office said, would be used to fund emergency assistance to food programs for kids and seniors, homeless preparedness, small business support and hourly wage earners.
The move comes as both local and federal officials take drastic measures to support a slumping economy shaken by the concerns of the spread, including President Trump floating the idea of sending checks to American families.
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