NRHA COVID-19 UPDATE ▶NEWSLETTER
NRHA HAS REOPENED FOR BUSINESS LETTER FROM LEADERSHIP
It’s been a very long 15 months since our lives wer e upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Perhaps most challenging for NRHA were the extraordinary social restrictions imposed on all of us that forced NRHA to keep residents and staff safe and healthy by limiting our operations. Now that the pandemic is on a decline in Virginia, I am very happy to tell you that NRHA has reopened to the public. As of July 15:
What’s Inside •
Rental Assitance Programs
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COVID-19 Vaccination Information
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Utility Assistance
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Notice Regarding Rental Payment Obligation
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NRHA Contact Information
▸ All NRHA rental offices and gathering places are open for in-person meetings, appointments and walk-ins ▸ Face-to-face appointments and meetings are resuming at NRHA’s offices at 555 E. Main Street ▸ Maintenance service is back to normal ▸ All social distancing restrictions are lifted ▸ Extracurricular activities and programs are again taking place ▸ NRHA’S COVID-19 Hotline is closed However, to continue to safeguard everyone’s health, we don’t want to move too quickly as we reopen. Therefore, NRHA is following CDC and state guidelines by maintaining the following practices: ▸ Regardless of vaccination status, face masks are still required for all visitors and staff during in-person meetings ▸ Face masks are still required in NRHA’s headquarters at 555 E. Main St., all rental offices, FICs and meeting rooms ▸ In-person events and gatherings will resume with limited seating capacity as needed As we know, the situation with COVID-19 remains fluid which may result in changes to NRHA’s new protocols. We’ll keep you updated as needed. My thanks to all of you for working with us as we made our way through these tough times together. We would not have withstood this crisis without your understanding, patience and support.
Ron Jackson, Executive Director
August 2021 | Page 1
Need help paying your rent? Virginia Rent Relief Program
The Virginia Rent Relief Program provides financial assistance for rent payments for eligible households. This includes financial assistance for rent payments past due from April 1, 2020, to the present, with the opportunity for renewal based on availability of funding and the household’s need for additional assistance and continued eligibility. For more information and to apply: www.dhcd.virginia.gov/rmrp. Housing Crisis Hotline 757-587-4202
The Housing Crisis Hotline offers help to people struggling with rent, mortgage or utility payments because of a loss of employment income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Call the hotline at 757-587-4202. City of Norfolk Eviction Prevention Assistance
Low-income Norfolk residents with dependent children may be eligible for rent assistance. To apply for eviction prevention assistance, go to www.norfolk.gov/evictionprevention. You can also call 757-664-7368 or email evictionprevention@norfolk.gov.
Looking for a Vaccination Clinic near you?
Everyone in Virginia age 12 or older is now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Preregistration is no longer required. To find vaccination clinics near you go to www.vaccines.gov or call Vaccinate Virginia at 877-829-4682. They’re open Mon – Fri from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Need help with water or electric bills? Emergency Water Utility Assistance
The City of Norfolk’s Emergency Water Utility Payment Program provides a one-time payment to help low-income households prevent the disconnection of their water service due to non-payment. Go here for information or to apply: www.norfolk.gov/humanservices or call 757-664-6035. EnergyShare Utilities Assistance
EnergyShare is a crisis program of last resort that helps pay energy bills for those who qualify. Apply for EnergyShare assistance through the Salvation Army at 757-543-8100. Summer Cooling Assistance
The Virginia Department of Social Services provides qualifying households with cooling assistance during the summer months. Applications are being accepted through Monday, August 16 by calling the Enterprise Customer Service Center at 855-635-4370, visiting commonhelp.virginia.gov, or by contacting your local department of social services. August 2021 | Page 2
IF YOU ARE BEHIND ON YOUR RENT
YOU NEED TO CONTACT YOUR PROPERTY MANAGER NOW The Eviction Moratorium did not free tenants from the need to pay rent. Rent has been and is still due and payable on the first of each month. The current Eviction Moratorium ends on July 31. By August 1, you must pay all current and past-due rent. If you know you will have trouble paying past-due rent in a lump sum, contact your Property Manager immediately to work out a repayment plan. NRHA will take your current economic situation into consideration to work out a plan that is affordable for you. By the same token, if you have experienced a job loss or a significant loss of income, notify your Property Manager immediately so that we can make the necessary adjustment to your rent. If you do not pay all the rent you owe and have not contacted your Property Manager to create a payment plan by August 1, NRHA will begin eviction proceedings that will result in the termination of your assistance. We know families have been impacted tremendously by the COVID-19 pandemic. Even with COVID on the decline, we know that many of our residents are still facing serious challenges. Please contact your Property Manager now to develop a plan that will work best for you. See page 4 for a list of all property management office phone numbers. NRHA’s first priority is making sure our residents are able to stay in their homes – and NRHA is ready, willing and able to work with you to make sure that happens.
August 2021 | Page 3
NRHA CONTACT INFORMATION NRHA Main Line Phone Number NRHA Automated Main Office Number 757.623.1111 After-Hours Maintenance Line (public housing communities) 757.623.5266 Property Management/Maintenance Phone Number Email Calvert Square 757.624.8611 kbritt@nrha.us Cottage Bridge Midrise 757.314.4214 csaunders@nrha.us Diggs Town 757.624.8606 jduso@nrha.us Eulalie Bobbitt Midrise 757.624.8616 vhamlin@nrha.us Franklin Arms 757.314.1520 llassiter@nrha.us Grandy Village 757.624.8608 bfleming@nrha.us Hunter Square Midrise 757.624.8619 ytate@nrha.us North Wellington 757.624.8616 vhamlin@nrha.us Oakleaf Forest 757.624.8612 rmassey@nrha.us Robert Patrea Midrise 757.314.4214 csaunders@nrha.us Sykes Apartments 757.624.8617 tcross@nrha.us Tidewater Gardens 757.314-2055 sjackson@nrha.us Young Terrace 757.624.8610 ywiggins@nrha.us Scattered site locations 757.624.8617 tcross@nrha.us NRHA Programs Phone Number Email Public Housing and Section 8 Wait List Information 757.314.2665 ---Public Housing/Occupancy (case managers and application processing) 757.624.8615 rrich@nrha.us Resident Programs and Services, (including FSS and workforce programs) 757.314.2068 ysmith@nrha.us Section 8/Housing Choice Vouchers (case managers and inspections) 757.533.4688 chegwood@nrha.us Homeownership Center 757.314.4202 lfortes@nrha.us Other NRHA Departments Phone Number Administrative Services 757.314.2672 Construction Management 757.314.2003 Finance Payables 757.314.1671 Housing Operations 757.314.1484 Human Resources 757.314.2674 Media Relations 757.314.2009 August 2021 | Page 4