NLC COVID-19 Update: Facing Natural Disasters During the Pandemic

LEADERSHIP UPDATE

Colleagues,

This has been a difficult week for many of us as local leaders. While we continue our diligent fight against COVID-19, we are also facing devastating natural disasters – from wildfires in Washington, Oregon, and here in California to an active hurricane season that has already made its mark along the Gulf Coast. Maintain your resolve – communities and residents will lean on local leadership now more than ever.

And yet, Congress has failed to act to provide the support and partnership that our cities, towns, and villages desperately need. Last week, the Senate refused to include any direct aid to local government in their skinny bill proposal. However, NLC is still committed to this fight.

We know how committed you have been to keep your communities safe. And we understand the economic pain that many of your residents are feeling – that’s why we will not give up. We will continue to push Congress to do what is right to get our nation’s recovery going.

Sending you strength,

Joe Buscaino
President,
National League of Cities
President Pro Tempore, Los Angeles City Council

RESOURCES

UPCOMING EVENTS

Webinar | The Future of City Finance: How Automating Spend Management Helps Cities
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 1:00PM ET
Register to hear from SAP Concur some of the solutions available to help cities amidst the COVID-19 crisis. As cities plan for the future, there may be a blend of back to the office and teleworking which can complicate business fluidity. By implementing automated solutions, cities can enable the remote management of key financial processes that could deliver substantial cost savings By implementing automated solutions, cities can enable the remote management of key financial processes that could deliver substantial cost savings. Register now.

Webinar | Creating Lasting Affordability Through Community Land Trusts
Wednesday, September 23, 1:00 PM ET
More than 250 community land trusts in the United States provide affordable rental and homeownership opportunities largely for low-and moderate- families in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Join us as we hear from Grounded Solutions Network and three community land trusts on how they create lasting affordability in their cities with support from their municipality. Register here.

OPPORTUNITIES

New poll from NPR, RWJF, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
This survey is part of a series of national polls on the impact of coronavirus on different areas of people’s lives— including housing, financial stability, jobs, medical care, food, transportation, caregiving, and well-being – and how the impact is different for different groups of people. This first survey shows that households in four major cities experienced serious financial problems since the start of the outbreak. This is concentrated among households that are Black and Latino, with incomes below $100,000, and with job or wage losses. Subsequent ones will include a national picture plus impact on rural areas.

Virtual Symposium: Advancing the Response to COVID-19: Sharing Promising Programs and Practices for Racial and Ethnic Minority Communities
HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) will host this virtual symposium to highlight state, tribal, territorial, and community-based efforts addressing COVID-19 among racial and ethnic minority populations. Learn more here. Virtual Symposium: Thurs., Sept. 17, 2020, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. EDT, Register here.

Landlord Survey Template Resource Tool
As COVID-19 response continues amidst all the on-going uncertainly, housing issues continue to be front and center. Local governments continue to grapple with housing concerns that affect entire neighborhoods such as looming evictions, property foreclosures and reduced tax payments. The National League of Cities has developed a survey for municipalities to adapt and administer to landlords in their communities to support the gathering of accurate information needed to address local housing issues. You can access the template survey here.

BEST PRACTICES

Federal Aid for Local Government Operations is Necessary to Safeguard Health, Security, and Mobility
Congressional negotiators should not give up their efforts to deliver emergency aid that the country urgently needs. Federal aid for state and local governments is necessary, non-partisan, and non-controversial. Read More.

IN THE NEWS

Trump’s hostility to cities threatens to worsen the recession
Washington Post – September 14, 2020

State, local groups plead for federal aid as Senate bill fails to advance
Bond Buyer – September 10, 2020