RESOLUTION NO. _____, SERIES 2020
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A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY AND REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PROVIDE DIRECT RENTAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
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SPONSOR: COUNCIL MEMBERS GREEN, SHANKLIN, SEXTON SMITH, PURVIS, MCCRANEY, COAN, MULVIHILL, FOX, FOWLER, TRIPLETT, REED, PARKER, FLOOD, YATES, AND PRESIDENT JAMES
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization, the President of the United States, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and the Mayor of Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government have all declared states of emergency as a result of the Coronavirus Disease (“COVID-19”); and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 has been deemed controllable via the implementation of precautionary measures such as stay-at-home orders and requiring “non-essential” businesses to either close or severely curtail contact for the purposes of stopping the spread of the disease; and
WHEREAS, the precautionary measure has severely disrupted the economy, limiting the productivity of businesses and the income of employees; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of this unprecedented public health crisis, the United States Congress has passed three stimulus bills to mitigate for losses due to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2018 American Community Survey, of the 122 million U.S. households, 44 million were renter households with an annual median income of $41,000; making the rental population more likely to be financially disrupted by COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, both the Commonwealth of Kentucky and Louisville Metro Government have taken various executive and legislative action in an effort to curtail the adverse impact of COVID-19 on rental population; and
WHEREAS, despite efforts to date by federal, state, and local officials, COVID-19 has the potential to create a crisis-level nonpayment of rent scenario that both negatively impacts the property owner’s ability to maintain management and upkeep of the property at a time when many are sheltered in their units, and contribute significant property tax revenue that fund vital community services.
Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT (“THE COUNCIL”) AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: The Council hereby finds that an emergency exists in the rental housing market.
SECTION II: In light of this emergency, the Council urges the United States Congress use its considerable financial resources to create a direct Rental Housing Assistance fund to assist residents and stabilize communities.
SECTION III: A copy of this Resolution shall be forwarded to the Honorable Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, and the Honorable Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell.
SECTION IV: This Resolution shall take effect upon its passage and approval.
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_______________________________ Sonya Harward Metro Council Clerk |
_____________________________ David James President of the Council |
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_______________________________ Greg Fischer Mayor |
_____________________________ Approval Date |
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Michael J. O’Connell
Jefferson County Attorney
BY: ____________________________
R-067-20 RES Federal Rental Housing Fund - 5-1-20 - mhh