Politics
Politics

Atlanta mayor spends $1.5 million to isolate virus-infected homeless

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms speaks at a luncheon at the Atlanta Press Club in Atlanta, Ga., on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (Casey Sykes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms speaks at a luncheon at the Atlanta Press Club in Atlanta, Ga., on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (Casey Sykes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
By Stephen Deere
April 9, 2020

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has ordered that the city spend an additional $1.5 million to test, transport, isolate and shelter homeless people infected with the coronavirus.

In a press release Thursday, the mayor said the money would match a private philanthropic donation to shelter homeless people who have contracted the virus.

“There is a critical need for the Atlanta community to step up to protect and provide for our most vulnerable populations,” Bottoms said in a statement.

Bottoms allocated the money through an executive order, which must be approved by the city council.

About the Author

Stephen Deere covers Atlanta City Hall and Atlanta government.

More Stories

Keep Reading

In addition to being a political and religious leader, Bishop Reginald Jackson also served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Morris Brown College. (Ben Gray/AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray

OBITUARY

AME Bishop Reginald Jackson, religious and political leader, dies at 71

Jackson served for eight years as head of 500 African Methodist Episcopal churches in Georgia.

Georgia dismisses Trump election case, ending his last criminal prosecution

Fulton DA Fani Willis launched the investigation nearly five years ago saying Trump and his allies conspired to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia.

Fulton County taxpayers could be on the hook for millions as Trump case ends

Fulton County taxpayers may need to pay millions of dollars in legal defense bills for Donald Trump and others charged in the now defunct election interference case.

The Latest

“This case is hereby dismissed in its entirety,” a Superior Court judge ruled in Georgia's election case against President Donald Trump. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

Credit: NYT

Georgia dismisses Trump election case, ending his last criminal prosecution

Fulton County taxpayers could be on the hook for millions as Trump case ends

OBITUARY

AME Bishop Reginald Jackson, religious and political leader, dies at 71

Featured

Atlanta art and antiques appraiser and auctioneer Allan Baitcher (right) takes bids during a 2020 auction. Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are being sued by a Florida multimillionaire who says he paid them $20 million for fakes. (AJC 2020)

Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff

Atlanta antique appraiser made $20M selling fakes, lawsuit says

An Atlanta art and antique appraiser is being sued by a Florida multimillionaire, who says he spent about $20 million on thousands of fake works.

How an ex-Texan and a university helped change the face of a Georgia city

Mercer University President Bill Underwood is stepping down after two decades at the helm. He's credited with boosting enrollment, resurrecting football and reshaping Macon.

Thanksgiving to bring chilly, dry, overall delightful weather to metro Atlanta

A big drop in temperatures is coming overnight Wednesday, so go ahead and pull out those flannels and blankets.