NRHA COVID-19 UPDATE ▶NEWSLETTER
LETTER FROM LEADERSHIP What a start to 2021 we’ve seen! Now a quarter in, COVID-19 has continued to upend life for so many of us. But with all of the efforts being made to accelerate vaccinations throughout the state and the relaxing of some restrictions, I believe we are beginning to see a reprieve. Yet, we must continue to stay vigilant. And know that our NRHA staff is doing everything in our power to minimize the impact of COVID on you. Several resources have been put in place to assist you through this. We’ve highlighted a few in this newsletter. But know that ultimately it is up to you to do your part to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
What’s Inside •
Notice Regarding Rental Payment Obligation
•
COVID Program Provides Rent Help to Residents
•
COVID Vaccine Registration Update
•
Food Distribution Programs
•
COVID FAQs Update
•
St. Paul’s Area Resource Guide Update
•
NRHA Contact Information
Remember to continue to limit interactions with others outside your immediate family, and you should not be entertaining house guests who are not on your lease. Please heed and follow the guidelines Governor Northam and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have established during this pandemic. Here are the updated measures in place as of publication of this newsletter: ▸ Increase in public and private gatherings: All public and private in-person gatherings must be limited to 100 individuals for outdoor settings and 50 individuals for indoors. ▸ Mask mandate: All Virginians aged five and over are required to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces. ▸ Enforcement within essential retail businesses: All essential retail businesses, including grocery stores and pharmacies, must adhere to statewide guidelines for physical distancing, wearing face covering and enhanced cleaning. Violations will be enforceable through the Virginia Department of Health as a Class One misdemeanor. ▸ In-person graduation and commencement events: For in-person graduations and commencements, there is a cap of 5,000 people or 30 percent of the venue capacity for outdoor events, whichever is less. Indoor events indoors may have up to 500 people, or 30 percent of the venue capacity, whichever is less. Attendees must wear masks and follow other guidelines and safety protocols to ensure proper distancing. Always remember to wear a mask outside of your home and when interacting with others. As we are working to best serve you, it is also my responsibility to keep staff safe. When responding to maintenance calls, staff has the directive to leave any unit if residents are not compliant with wearing masks or have guests present during their maintenance visit. Also, please minimize your interaction with maintenance staff while they are present. This means maintain a six-foot distance from them and avoid being in the same room while they are working. Remember, we are in this together. NRHA will continue to keep you updated and keep our lines of communication open to hear from you.
Ron Jackson, Executive Director March 2021 | Page 1
NOTICE TO ALL RESIDENTS REGARDING RENTAL PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS We’ve reached the one-year mark of dealing with the awful COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected so many of us in so many ways. Due to the pandemic, many have experienced job loss or have had their work hours decreased. In an effort to provide relief to families who have experienced these situations, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention have put in place a temporary suspension of evictions for nonpayment of rent, also known as the eviction moratorium, due to COVID-19. At the time of publication of this newsletter, the moratorium was scheduled to end June 30, 2021. It is important to understand that rent payments have NOT been suspended. Rent is still due and payable on the first of each month. The eviction moratorium does not provide rent forgivingness. If you are behind on your rent after this period, you will still be required to pay all past due rents. The eviction moratorium is designed to help families who do not have the ability to pay their rent at this time because of COVID-related issues. If you have been impacted financially by the pandemic and cannot afford to pay your rent please contact your property management office immediately. NRHA staff is here to assist and can connect you with programs and resources that may provide further assistance during these uncertain times. However, the eviction mortarium is NOT an excuse for by those who have not been financially impacted by COVID-19 to not pay their rent. If you are capable of paying your rent and do not do so, when the moratorium is lifted, you will be left with a very large past-due balance that will be considered ineligible for a repayment plan. If left unpaid, NRHA will seek eviction actions that could result in termination of your assistance. As well, termination of assistance may impact your ability to receive other federal assisted housing and housing on the private market. In short, if you are fortunate enough to not have experienced job or income loss, please pay your rent on time. See page 8 for a list of all property management office phone numbers. Please, reach out to them to discuss what options and resources are available to you. Also, check out the next page for an additional program that might help. In order to keep you in your home, you must do your part. You must communicate with us. Please work with us by calling your property manager today.
March 2021 | Page 2
COVID Program Provides Rent Help for Residents To apply go to https://dmz1.dhcd.virginia.gov/RMRPEligibility
Virginia Housing is now administering relief for renters experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic through the Virginia Rent Relief Program (RRP). And the great news: Public housing and project based voucher residents are eligible for RRP funds. You can apply to receive assistance to pay delinquent rental payments dating as far back as April 1, 2020. These funds, however, do not cover current or future months’ rent. Here are a few eligibility requirements: ▸ The household’s total gross income is equal to or less than 80 percent Area Median Income for location ▸ The household has experienced a loss of income and any of the following as a result of COVID-19: ▸ Layoffs ▸ Place of employment closures ▸ Reduction in work hours ▸ Loss of spousal/child support ▸ Inability to find work due to COVID-19 ▸ Need to stay home with children due to day care/school closure ▸ Inability to participate in previous employment due to the workplace’s high risk of severe illness from COVID-19
What You Need to Know About COVID Vaccine Registration The City of Norfolk is working diligently to get its residents vaccinated for COVID-19. To best serve you and ensure you are able to receive the vaccine when your phase is being served, we recommend you preregister. The preregistration puts you in line for the vaccine. When an appointment is available, individuals will receive a notification to schedule their COVID-19 vaccine. The preferred method to contact you will be by email, however, if you do not have an email address you will be notified by phone. For those who are registering for their first dose, an email registration notification will come from the Virginia Department of Health (@vdh.virginia.gov email). At this time, those who need to schedule their second dose appointment will receive an email notification from the Centers of Disease Control (CDC). This does not put you on a list for any of the private pharmacies that are getting their doses separately through the federal state pharmacy program. You’ll have to continue to check their websites. When the vaccine becomes more widely available to the general public, the Norfolk Department of Public Health will offer free vaccination clinics around the city of Norfolk. As supplies increase, vaccines will be available at more local pharmacies, private practitioners and other health care providers. March 2021 | Page 3
Sign up for your free COVID-19 Vaccine! Virginia Department of Health Preregister online at https://vaccinate.virginia.gov/ Get assistance with state preregistration by calling 877-829-4682 At the time of publication, Virginia was only vaccinating those in phases 1a and 1b. Phase 1a includes health care workers and residents in long term care facilities. Phase 1b includes police, fire, and hazmat and childcare/K-12 faculty/staff (public and private) and childcare providers, and anyone ages 65 and older.
FAMILY COMMUNITIES ▸ Door-to-door delivery, Mondays or Tuesdays after 11 am ▸ Must have at least one child living in the household ▸ Call your property manager or resident service coordinator to register
Food Distribution Programs for NRHA Residents
SENIORS AND RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (Sykes or Franklin Arms only)
SYKES ▸ Pick up from Advisory Council Office, Mondays or Tuesdays ▸ Visit the Advisory Council Office to register FRANKLIN ARMS ▸ Mondays, pick up from 1st Floor Activity Room, noon ▸ Call Gloria Parker at 314-4215 to register
FOR NORFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS ▸ Grab n’ go meals at 34 school cafeterias, Monday-Friday, 3-5 pm ▸ Must provide student’s lunch ID information and name of school they are enrolled at ▸ Go to www.npsk12.com/nutrition for more information
FOODBANK HUB IN YOUNG TERRACE ▸ This location offers weekly food distribution and onsite shopping for produce, proteins and additional items. ▸ Visit www.nrha.us/foodbank-hub for more information March 2021 | Page 4
UPDATED NRHA OPERATIONS DURING COVID-19 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is happening with the eviction moratorium? Please refer to the article on page 2 of this newsletter. As explained there, the moratorium on eviction actions has been extended through June 30, 2021. What will happen when the moratorium ends? During the eviction moratorium, which began in March 2020, no late fees were charged nor were eviction actions taken against residents who were unable to rent. However, no rent payments were dismissed. When the moratorium ends, rent payments for the month and all unpaid rent will be due. If you are unable to pay and have made no efforts to work with your property manager, NRHA may begin the eviction process once the moratorium is lifted. NRHA recognizes that times are still difficult and wants to work with our residents. If you are a public housing or project based voucher resident experiencing job loss or significant loss of income, contact your property management office right away. We may be able to lower your rent to reflect your change in income. If you have trouble paying what you owe in a lump sum, NRHA will work with you to develop a payment plan. If you are a Housing Choice Voucher participant experiencing job loss or significant loss of income, contact your landlord and caseworker right away to discuss possible payment plans or accommodations. In addition, fill in a Status Change Form and send it to your caseworker immediately along with proof of a change in income. The sooner your caseworker receives the form, the sooner an interim change can be processed that will lower your rent. What NRHA services are available? For everyone’s safety, both NRHA offices at 555 E. Main St. and 910 Ballentine Blvd. are closed to the general public. All property management offices are closed to the general public, as well. However, all offices are open and working and staff is taking appointments. Staff, including property management staff, also continues to be available by phone and email to serve our clients and residents. All public areas, however, in our family communities and senior/disabled midrises are closed, including the following: ▸ Playgrounds ▸ Basketball courts ▸ All meeting rooms and social areas Family resource centers are closed until further notice, including the following: ▸ Grandy Village Learning Center ▸ Calvert Square Envision Center ▸ Oakleaf Forest Family Investment Center ▸ Jobs Plus Office in Young Terrace In addition, all NRHA extracurricular programming and activities are discontinued at this time. We continue to monitor conditions and revise our policies as needed. Updates will be mailed directly to residents and made available to the public on NRHA’s website and social media. March 2021 | Page 5
What special safety measures are being taken for seniors and residents with disabilities? Health experts have made it clear that anyone can have the coronavirus and not have symptoms. This means that every person we come into contact with could potentially be a source of infection. NRHA routinely cleans the main areas, door knobs and elevator buttons in the senior/disabled midrises to prevent contact infection. However, residents must do their part in making sure everyone stays safe and healthy. Here are actions you can take: ▸ Limit the number of people who visit you ▸ Ask people who are delivering food, medicine and other essential items to drop them off and not stay to socialize ▸ Even though it’s hard, the best way for everyone to stay healthy is to avoid congregating in public areas or hallways. If you choose to congregate, then please wear a mask and maintain social distancing. How do I reach someone at NRHA? Call NRHA’s main number 757-623-1111: NRHA staff is available in departments that serve our clients and residents. You can reach NRHA by calling our switchboard at 757-623-1111 during Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4 pm. Always leave a voicemail as some employees are working remotely, but check their messages regularly. The fastest way to reach a specific person is via email. You will find a staff directory on page 8. Call NRHA’s COVID-19 Hotline 757-314-4200: If you have questions regarding any COVID-related NRHA matter, call the voicemail only hotline and a staff member will return your call within 24 business hours. Call NRHA’s After-Hours Emergency Maintenance Number 757-623-5266 If you have a maintenance request outside of your regular property management office hours, you can leave a message to submit an after-hours emergency work order.
UPDATE TO ST. PAUL’S AREA COVID-19 RESOURCE GUIDE The City of Norfolk has put together a complete guide to all community resources available to your family during this difficult time. The guide, updated regularly, provides organization names, contact information as well as the dates and times of operations. Topics include the following: Food resources
Utilities resources
Health resources Emotional support helplines
Senior resources
Educational resources
Internet connectivity
Economic mobility resources and SNAP emergency benefits
Teens with a Purpose – virtual teen gatherings
Housing resources Access to household resources
Resources for people who are homeless Child care provider guidance And much more
Find the guide at: https://www.norfolk.gov/4872/St-Pauls-COVID-19-Resource-Guide March 2021 | Page 6
How do I report a maintenance issue? Submitting a work order: Maintenance service continues to be limited to emergency services only. A list of what constitutes an emergency is provided below. During normal business hours, residents can call their property management office to place a work order. Outside of business hours, you can submit an after-hours emergency maintenance work order by calling 757-623-5266. Cooperating with safety precautions: If it’s necessary for maintenance staff to enter your apartment, we ask you to help keep everyone healthy by cooperating with the following safety measures. If you choose not to cooperate, NRHA employees have the right to leave the unit immediately. ▸ Only household members can be present while maintenance staff is in the unit. ▸ Residents must wear masks and stay 6 feet away from maintenance workers. ▸ Staff will ask the following questions and provide additional instructions depending on your response. You are under no obligation to answer these health-related questions. If you choose not to answer, alternative arrangements will be made to ensure that your unit is properly serviced at a later date. 1. How many people are in your household? 2. Has anyone in the unit traveled outside of the United States in the last two months? 3. Is anyone in your unit currently sick with cold or flu symptoms? 4. Has anyone visited your unit with cold or flu symptoms? Entering units where someone tested positive for COVID-19: NRHA employees will only enter a unit where someone has tested positive for COVID if it is an emergency and will be dressed with the proper personal protective equipment upon entering. False emergency requests: If maintenance staff responds to an after-hours call that is not a legitimate emergency, you may be fined for a nuisance call. Qualifying emergency maintenance items during COVID-19: Fire
Broken and/or stuck elevator
Flooding
Refrigerator/stove not working
Major leaks of any kind – ceiling, radiator, etc.
Hot water heater leaking or ruptured
Damage to NRHA property
No heat – if the temperature is below 55 degrees between October 15 and May 15
Inoperable smoke detector
Power outages
No air conditioning - if outside temperature is above 75 degrees between May 15 and October 15. In Senior Midrises, North Wellington, Scattered Sites, Grandy Village, Diggs Town and Oakleaf Forest only
Gas leak or natural gas odor
Lead-based paint hazards
Broken window – based on security breach, temperature factor and safety hazard
Unhealthy/inadequate water supply
No window locks - based on security breach and safety hazard
Blocked egress
Medical emergency/death Inoperable door locks
Overflowing/stopped up toilet
March 2021 | Page 7
Mold NRHA property/security damage - break in/ alarm sounding
NRHA CONTACT INFORMATION
Although all property management offices are closed to the public, they are open for phone calls and maintenance requests between 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please be sure to leave a voicemail. Some staff may be working remotely but will be checking messages regularly.
NRHA Main Line NRHA Automated Main Office Number After-Hours Maintenance Line (public housing communities)
Phone Number 757.623.1111 757.623.5266
NRHA COVID-19 Hotline NRHA COVID-19 Hotline
Phone Number 757.314.4200
When calling the hotline, residents will hear a recorded message and be prompted to leave a message with their NRHA-related COVID-19 question and telephone contact information. An NRHA staff member will then call back within 24 business hours with a response. Residents are also encouraged to leave their comments or suggestions on the hotline as well. The hotline is set up for voicemail only.
Property Management/Maintenance Calvert Square Cottage Bridge Midrise Diggs Town Eulalie Bobbitt Midrise Franklin Arms Grandy Village Hunter Square Midrise North Wellington Oakleaf Forest Robert Patrea Midrise Sykes Apartments Tidewater Gardens Young Terrace Scattered site locations
Phone Number 757.624.8611 757.314.4214 757.624.8606 757.624.8616 757.314.1520 757.624.8608 757.624.8619 757.624.8616 757.624.8612 757.314.4214 757.624.8617 757.314-2055 757.624.8610 757.624.8617
Email kbritt@nrha.us csaunders@nrha.us aespree@nrha.us vhamlin@nrha.us llassiter@nrha.us bfleming@nrha.us dtate@nrha.us vhamlin@nrha.us rmassey@nrha.us csaunders@nrha.us tcross@nrha.us sjackson@nrha.us ywiggins@nrha.us tcross@nrha.us
NRHA Programs Public Housing and Section 8 Wait List Information Public Housing/Occupancy (case managers and application processing) Resident Programs and Services, (including FSS and workforce programs) Section 8/Housing Choice Vouchers (case managers and inspections) Homeownership Center
Phone Number 757.314.2665 757.624.8615 757.314.2068 757.533.4688 757.314.4202
Email ---rrich@nrha.us ysmith@nrha.us chegwood@nrha.us lfortes@nrha.us
Other NRHA Departments Administrative Services Construction Management Finance Payables Housing Operations Human Resources Media Relations
Phone Number 757.314.2672 757.314.2003 757.314.1671 757.314.1484 757.314.2674 757.314.2009
March 2021 | Page 8