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

With the closure of the labor and delivery unit in St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia, expectant mothers will instead be directed to deliver at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens, about 45 miles away. (Photo Illustration / Getty Images)

Credit: Getty Images

Medicaid cuts ahead prompt Lavonia hospital to shutter childbirth unit

St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital was already struggling. Funding cuts from Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act tipped the scales.

LISTEN

Two major announcements shake up the race for governor in Georgia

The Politically Georgia team discuss two seismic shakeups to the governor's race: Geoff Duncan and Brad Raffensperger.

OPINION

US House Republicans stop time — again — to avoid votes on Trump’s tariffs

Under federal law, once a president declares an emergency and institutes tariffs, Congress can quickly force repeal votes, with action required in 15 days.

The Latest

Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (seen here at a Georgia Chamber Congressional Luncheon in August), announced he'd be running for governor, Wednesday Sept. 17, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

LISTEN

Two major announcements shake up the race for governor in Georgia

OPINION

US House Republicans stop time — again — to avoid votes on Trump’s tariffs

Medicaid cuts ahead prompt Lavonia hospital to shutter childbirth unit

Featured

Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Police abandoned area where 8-year-old was shot, detective testifies

The testimony came as trial began for Julian Conley, the man accused of fatally shooting the child near the burned-down Wendy’s where Rayshard Brooks was killed weeks earlier.

Emory giving free tuition to students from families making under $200,000

Starting next academic year, Emory University will be tuition-free for undergraduates whose families earn less than $200,000, a move that could help hundreds of students.

Weekend Predictions: Another winning weekend for Falcons, Georgia Tech?

Weekend Predictions is off to a hot start. But will wins by the Atlanta Falcons, Georgia Tech and Georgia State keep this streak alive?