CEO Corner: Atlanta Habitat’s Evolving Response to COVID-19

Dear Friend of Atlanta Habitat,

As a valued member of our Atlanta Habitat extended family, you are in our thoughts and prayers, and we hope that you and your family are remaining healthy and safe. Our community is facing an unprecedented health and economic crisis, and we want to keep you informed on how we are navigating this global pandemic.

It’s impossible to anticipate the ways in which the current disruption will impact us in the weeks and months to come. As you know, our ReStore and offices are closed through April 7, 2020, and we have suspended building and home repairs. Our team is working remotely to continue essential activities. During this time, it is important for us to bring our best selves forward – as leaders, employees, friends, parents, partners, and as community members. It’s our time to share compassion, concern and to act in a way that supports each other and to be resilient. Our commitment to you is to be our best and to manage responsibly by doing the following:

1. Monitor and follow recommended guidelines from our public health and elected leaders;

2. When we are able to resume operations, we will have updated safety and health protocols in place to protect everyone our mission touches–from homeowners and volunteers to donors, sponsors and our employees and ReStore customers;

3. We are determined to keep our commitment to families who have worked so hard to earn the opportunity to build and buy an affordable home. We know that the need for safe, healthy, stable, affordable housing is vital, especially during times of uncertainty;

• Many of our families are in the service industries that are so heavily impacted by the pandemic. We are exploring ways to, not only keep them safe and securely sheltered, but to help them access resources that can help sustain them for the next few months.
• We are actively lobbying our elected leaders to put policies in place that prevent short and long-term displacement.

4. We are managing and planning in a manner that preserves our resources and ensures our ability to operate beyond this crisis.

On behalf of our board, staff and our families, we deeply appreciate your continued support. I will be in touch periodically as we navigate this crisis and will be sharing updates on our response, needs and programs in the coming weeks and months.

Thank you and be safe!

Sincerely,

Lisa Y. Gordon, CPA

President and CEO