25 signatures reached
To: Broward County Residence
Mayor Dave Holness: Freeze Rent In Broward County Due to COVID-19
Demanding Rent Moratorium in Broward and in surrounding areas in order to help ease the economic impact of sudden joblessness experienced by so many through no fault of their own. Many business owners and health and wellness care practitioners, and other various line of work such as bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and other industries across the state understand the importance of social-distancing, self-isolation, and flattening the curve. We are now asking our community and elected officials to understand that in order for these policies to be effective, special consideration must be given to those who will bear the economic burden of our response to a pandemic.
Why is this important?
"During the COVID-19 crisis, we all have a responsibility towards our communities to keep ourselves healthy and avoid situations that can spread the virus. As of March 17th, the state of Florida will close all bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and other small businesses in order to help us uphold that responsibility. While this is a step in the right direction regarding health, the effects of these sweeping business closures affect the livelihood of thousands of Florida residents that rely on front-of-the house restaurant, club/bar work or tips to make ends meet. Without a plan in place to supplement the income of these workers, and with no guarantee that unemployment benefits will provide the relief people need in a city with one of the highest costs of living in the country, we demand a moratorium on rent collection. Hard-working people are going to suffer at the expense of the greater good. While we don't deny the importance of instituting these closures, we would be ashamed and heartbroken to watch our government let people who rely on health and wellness care work, restaurant work, work in the entertainment industry (clubs/bars), and other small businesses face evictions, blows to their credit, or be backed into a corner financially through no fault of their own.
As a spa business owner and full-time Licensed Massage Therapist, this is my sole source of income. So many other massage practitioners and business owners in the industry, are affected. Simply providing people with an unemployment payment of temporary paid leave at minimum wage would not be enough to cover their typical expenses. We need Broward County and Florida as a whole to put a moratorium on rent NOW in order to preserve the livelihood of so many hard working business owners, healthcare practitioners, and other affected industries during this time of crisis".