That range highlights the need for federal intervention — both continuing the moratorium, which happened this morning, and additional assistance that will help not only struggling renters but also their landlords, such as the $45 billion in rental assistance in the recently passed federal stimulus bill.
The goal for L.A. Connected is to Magnetize the resources to the communities that need them the most. The city plans for this platform to be an educational tool to empower families to receive the help they need. It is a network that includes various service providers through Los Angeles City WorkSource and FamilySource that will help Angelenos apply to the following: unemployment insurance, file their taxes, apply for as much as $8,000 in tax credits, and access federal stimulus checks, known as Economic Impact Payments, which total up to $1,200 per adult and $500 per child.
Chairwoman Kathryn Barger confirmed the allocation of 1.2 billion dollars that Los Angeles County received from federal government through the CARES Act. She ensured these funds will provide the county with significant resources for residents and business owners. It will equip and encourage small businesses and organizations with knowledge and tools to remain open.
Johnson’s EquiTrust is providing critical financial support to underserved communities and businesses that have been traditionally neglected. These small and diverse businesses often have difficulty developing strong lending relationships with big banks. According to the Center for Responsible Lending, up to 90% of businesses owned by people of color have been, or will likely be, shut out of the PPP program.
With recent shutdowns, small businesses are at high risk of closing for good during this time. Garcetti announced another step forward in helping local businesses and their staff by providing funds, to help solidify their footing during the waves of closing and reopening of the economy. The mayor is working with Council member Curren Price, Council President Nury Martinez, and other public officials to invest an additional 10-million dollars in funds towards the L.A. Regional COVID-19 Team Recovery Program.
The city is still in an emergency condition, Garcetti emphasized the need for physical distancing, face coverings, and extreme attentiveness to hygienic practices. Lives are at stake and each day more are at risk; the pandemic has gotten worse across the country. The mayor admittedly stated, “we never had so many people infected or infectious.” L.A. is on the border of level ‘red’ indicating severe conditions.
Monday June 15, Los Angeles County Officials delivered news surrounding the COVID-19 Pandemic. As the city takes steps towards recovery, the numbers behind the spread of virus continues to fluctuate. Public officials are monitoring the data collected behind tests and hospitalization to cultivate an idea on the current severity of the virus.
Wednesday, June 10, Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti examined the progressive steps that will take place within the city budget. Garcetti acknowledged the three-layered crisis the world is experiencing together; health, economic, and social concerns have all increased and shown the perilous threat they have if left unchanged.
Road maps from leading sectors are under county review, to continue the forward direction into economic recovery. Aligned with the guidance from the state, Los Angeles is looking to open more key sectors this month, approximately by June 12.
Protection is the number one priority, as Los Angeles glides into a new sense of reality. Before the mayor began his briefing on COVID-19, he acknowledged the murder of George Floyd. An African American man from Minnesota, killed by a Minneapolis Police Officer on May 25. The police officer was kneeling on Floyd’s neck with all of his weight, suffocating Floyd to death.
Today hair salons and barbershops can start opening for in-person appointments. The decision was based on upholding the basic requirements of hospital stability, testing capacity, and integrated social distancing health orders specific to each sector. Los Angeles is ranked to be in the advance stages of phase two of the states Resiliency Roadmap.
Wednesday, May 27, will mark the day retail stores across L.A. are available for indoor shopping since coronavirus took hold of the city. Permitted activities now include the gathering of faith-based services, all retail including those located in-doors can operate at 50% capacity. Dr. Ferrer provided the latest numbers surrounding coronavirus. As of Wednesday, May 27, there were 53 additional deaths, 35 of these individuals were between the ages of 65 and over.
Tuesday, May 26, Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti delivered news surrounding the biggest testing site in America at the Dodger Stadium; the site is equipped to test up to 6,000 people a day. With the current numbers confirming a level of stabilization, the mayor announced all retail store businesses are available for in-door shopping.
Public officials are looking for ways to make life safer amid this viral pandemic, earlier today L.A. County announced three new openings in light of the holiday weekend. Beach bike paths, malls, and indoor retail shoppes are now open for curbside pickup.
Public officials acknowledged that COVID-19 has magnified the struggle within underserved communities. The goal is to find a new way to equality and recovery, at a safe distance. Supervisor Hilda Solis stated, “Economic recovery cannot come at the expense of more lives,” Los Angeles Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer disclosed the latest numbers behind the positive cases of coronavirus and the fluctuating death rate due to COVID-19.