Mayor Keisha Lane Bottoms issued an Executive Order authorizing the allocation of up to one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000.00) to provide additional individual shelter options with supportive services for people experiencing homelessness. This funding will leverage private and philanthropic dollars to combat the spread of COVID-19.

These funds build upon the existing investment of one million dollars ($1,000,000) for people experiencing homelessness, which is primarily supporting isolation, testing, and transportation. Those funds have been leveraged with other State and Federal funding.   

“There is a critical need for the Atlanta community to step up to protect and provide for our most vulnerable populations,” said Mayor Bottoms. “Our city is blessed with a number of philanthropic partners who have extended helping hands to meet the needs of our community. Thank you to these partners for going above and beyond to assist the City in bending the curve of this virus, and for remaining among Atlanta’s greatest champions.”

Mayor Bottoms’ Order is the latest in a number of measures instituted by the Administration to combat the spread and subsequent financial impact of COVID-19.

Mayor Bottoms announced a partnership with Atlanta Housing (AH) that set forth several rent relief efforts for seniors, families, and other residents who live in AH-owned or subsidized units and have lost income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Mayor also launched the #ATLSTRONG FUND, a donation campaign led by the Mayor’s Office in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta to support City of Atlanta residents experiencing economic hardships and health-related issues caused by COVID-19.

Donations from the #ATLStrong Fund will support the following priorities:

Food security for Atlanta’s children and seniors;

Support for individuals experiencing homelessness;

Small business assistance;

Emergency assistance for Atlantans suffering financial hardship due to the pandemic, such as loss of income, rent or utility assistance, etc.

Additionally, one of the first measures taken by Mayor Bottoms was to issue an Administrative Order directing the Commissioner of Watershed Management to refrain from taking any action which would result in the termination of water services for any Watershed Management customer due to non-payment for the next sixty (60) days.

Mayor Bottoms issued an Executive Order creating a $7 million emergency fund to provide assistance to those impacted by COVID-19. The resources are designated to fund emergency assistance to food programs for children and seniors, homeless preparedness, support to small businesses, assistance to hourly wage earners and other areas adversely impacted by COVID-19.