NRHA COVID-19 RESPONSE ▶NEWSLETTER ▶
YOU ARE OUR TOP PRIORITY
MESSAGE FROM NRHA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RONALD JACKSON The COVID-19 (“coronavirus”) has upended everyone’s life and forced social limitations on us that no one ever could have foreseen. And with Governor Northam’s recent Executive Order that all residents are to remain in their homes until June 10, it’s clear we will be living this new normal for some time. In these circumstances, it’s natural to feel frustrated, overwhelmed and even angry. We are in this together, and the only way to overcome this obstacle is to work together. We care about you and your family’s well-being, and our staff is working hard to minimize the impact these difficult conditions will have on you.
What’s Inside •
COVID Frequently Asked Questions
•
COVID Maintenance Requests
•
NRHA COVID Hotline
•
Keep Checking NRHA’s Website
•
Stopping the Spread
•
Social Distancing – Walking the Talk
•
St. Paul’s Area COVID Resource Guide
•
Domestic Violence Hotline
•
NRHA Contact Information
Here’s where things stand right now: NRHA will remain open to serve our residents and clients. There is essential work that must be done for the 13,000 residents of Norfolk who rely on us every day to provide safe, affordable, healthy housing. However, the landscape of how we do business has changed, which means we need to change with it. To keep all of us – residents and staff alike – safe and healthy, NRHA is limiting its services to just those deemed essential (see NRHA Residents’ Frequently Asked Questions on page 2 for details). We’ve opened an NRHA COVID Hotline where you can get answers to NRHA COVID–related questions that are specific to your personal situation (see the box NRHA Coronavirus Hotline on page 3 for more information). Finally, I can’t emphasize enough how important social distancing is to keep you and your children safe and healthy. Having cookouts and kids playing basketball seems harmless, but all it takes is your loved one coming in contact with one person who has the coronavirus for a potentially catastrophic spread of the virus in one of our communities (see the article on Social Distancing - Walking the Talk on page 5). Thank you for your continued flexibility, understanding and patience as we sort out the many details of our new operating procedures. These details will undoubtedly continue to change as the coronavirus situation continues to evolve. I will keep you updated.
RON JACKSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR April 3, 2020 | Page 1
COVID-19 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Will I be evicted? No. NRHA has ceased all evictions until further notice. We encourage Low Income Public Housing residents to contact your property managers if you are having difficulty paying rent due to loss of working hours or employment. Will I be charged rent late payment fees? No. All late rent payment fees for Low Income Public Housing and Project Based Voucher residents are waived for March through June 2020. Will we still be charged a transaction fee if we pay rent online? NRHA has partnered with our online rent payment vendor to offer a discounted fee for online debit card payments. The regular $5.95 transaction fee is now $3.95. Residents can continue to access the online rent payment option at www.nrha.us/content/pay-rent. I was issued a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) but it expires soon. What do I do? NRHA is offering time extensions on vouchers. Contact your case manager directly to discuss this process. Please be sure to leave a voicemail as some staff may be working remotely. What if I have a maintenance problem? Maintenance service is temporarily limited to emergency services only until further notice. A list of qualifying maintenance emergencies can be found on page 3. You can submit an emergency maintenance work order by calling your property management office or the after-hours maintenance line. What is the protocol for NRHA maintenance staff entering my home? If it’s necessary for NRHA staff to enter your apartment, we ask you to help everyone stay healthy by remaining at least six feet away from our employees. We’ll ask you the following questions and provide additional instructions depending on your response: 1. Has anyone in the unit been on a cruise or traveled outside of the United States in the last two months? 2. Is anyone in the unit currently sick with cold or flu symptoms? 3. Has anyone in the unit had visitors or come into contact with someone with cold or flu symptoms? Maintenance staff will refuse entry into your home if you have any guests present that are not included in your household composition. What services will continue to be available? NRHA remains open to serve our residents and clients. However, for everyone’s safety, we are continuing essential services only. You’ll find contact information on page 6. As much as possible, please communicate by phone, email or mail. What services will not be available? Unless there are extenuating circumstances, the following services are on hold until further notice: • Access to rental offices, family investment centers and community areas in our senior/disabled midrise communities • Transportation services • Extracurricular activities and programs What should I do if I have a safety concern? Please share your safety concerns with your property management office and/or your Community Resource Officer (CRO) promptly. NRHA security staff is working closely with CROs to address public safety issues that may arise. If you experience a life threatening situation or emergency dial 911. When will things get back to normal? We’re not sure. Going forward, NRHA will continue to monitor conditions and revise its policies as needed. Updates will be distributed directly to residents and made available to the public via the Authority’s website and social media accounts. April 3, 2020 | Page 2
COVID-19 MAINTENANCE REQUESTS Maintenance service is temporarily limited to emergency services. You can submit an emergency maintenance work order by calling your property management office during business hours or the after-hours maintenance line after business hours. Please note that Maintenance staff will refuse entry into your home if you have any guests present that are not included in your household composition.
Here’s the list of qualifying emergency maintenance items: Fire Flooding Major leaks of any kind – ceiling, radiator, etc. Damage to NRHA property Inoperable smoke detector Medical emergency/death Inoperable door locks Power outages Gas leak or natural gas odor
Broken and/or stuck elevator - at Partrea, Huntersquare, Bobbitt, Sykes, Franklin Arms or Cottage Bridge Refrigerator/stove not working Hot water heater leaking or ruptured No heat – if the temperature is below 55 degrees between October 15th and May 15th No air conditioning - if outside temperature is above 75 degrees between May 15th and October 15th. Midrises, North Wellington, Scattered Sites, Grandy Village, Diggs Town and Oakleaf Forest only
Broken window – based on security breach, temperature factor and safety hazard
Lead-based paint hazards
No window locks - based on security breach and safety hazard
Mold
Overflowing/ stopped up toilet
Unhealthy/inadequate water supply Blocked egress NRHA property/security damage - break in/ alarm sounding
NRHA CORONAVIRUS HOTLINE
KEEP CHECKING OUR WEBSITE
We’ve opened a hotline where you can get answers to the NRHA COVID-19 related questions specific to your circumstances. We also welcome suggestions for improving our communications and operations during this time. We will get back to you with answers within 24 business hours.
Federal, state and local regulations are changing rapidly in response to the spread of the coronavirus. This can have a big impact on NRHA’s operations. Our website is your best source for up-to-date information on NRHA’s services and resources, so be sure to check frequently.
757-314-4200
www.nrha.us
April 3, 2020 | Page 3
NRHA NRHA COVID-19 COVID-19 RESPONSE RESPONSE STOPPING STOPPING THE THE SPREAD SPREAD
From From the the young young to to the the old old and and everyone everyone in in between, between, we we all all must must do do our our part part to to stop stop the the spread spread of of coronavirus coronavirus (COVID-19)! (COVID-19)! This means: This means:
PRACTICE PRACTICE SOCIAL SOCIAL DISTANCING DISTANCING AVOID PUBLIC AVOID PUBLIC SETTINGS SETTINGS
AVOID SOCIAL AVOID SOCIAL GATHERINGS OF 10+ GATHERINGS OF 10+ PEOPLE, this includes home PEOPLE, this includes home
gatherings and group sports and gatherings and group sports and activities. activities.
AVOID NONESSENTIAL AVOID NONESSENTIAL TRAVEL, such as for shopping TRAVEL, such as for shopping and social visits. Only travel if and social visits. Only travel if necessary (e.g., to seek medical necessary (e.g., to seek medical care or buy groceries). care or buy groceries).
MAINTAIN A 6 FEET MAINTAIN A 6 FEET DISTANCE from others DISTANCE from others when possible. when possible.
PRACTICE PRACTICE GOOD GOOD HYGIENE HYGIENE WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN WASH HANDS OFTEN with soapYOUR and water for at least 20
with soap and water for at least 20been seconds especially after you have seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. nose, coughing, or sneezing.
SANITIZE ALL SURFACES SANITIZE ALL SURFACES FREQUENTLY. This includes FREQUENTLY. This includes tables, doorknobs, handles, light
tables, doorknobs, handles, light switches, countertops, keyboards, switches, countertops, keyboards, phones, toilets, faucets, and sinks, etc. phones, toilets, faucets, and sinks, etc.
Stay up to date, visit: www.nrha.us April 3, 2020 | Page 4
COVER YOUR MOUTH AND COVER YOUR MOUTH AND NOSE with a tissue when you cough NOSE with a tissue whenof you cough or sneeze or use the inside your or sneeze or wash use the inside of your elbow; then your hands. elbow; then wash your hands.
AVOID TOUCHING YOUR AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE especially with unwashed FACE especially with unwashed hands. hands.
Stay up to date, visit: www.nrha.us Stay up to date, visit: www.nrha.us
SOCIAL DISTANCING – WALKING THE TALK
Barbara Ciara from Wtkr News 3 shares a special message with our residents about why she believes social distancing is important and resources you can access during this time. Take a look at what she has to say on our YouTube channel:
@nrhava
S
ocial distancing is the only way to make sure your family stays safe and healthy. Having cookouts and kids playing basketball may seem harmless and making your kids stay away from their friends can feel mean. But all it takes is a simple contact with one person who has the coronavirus for one of your loved ones to get sick or for a potentially catastrophic spread of the disease in one of our communities.
Staying 6 feet apart from friends and family is challenging even for adults. Young ones are more easily entertained by games and watching TV so it may be easier for them. But teens can be resentful and push back when they can’t hang with friends. At the same time, it’s our job to deal with boredom and keep our kids occupied while making sure they keep up with schoolwork as best as possible. Being a parent right now is hard. We’re the ones who have to set boundaries, enforce household rules and guide our kids to make the right decisions. We are the role model for our children, which means we have to walk the talk by practicing social distancing ourselves. Guaranteed we’re going to want to rip our hair out at times. But this can also be a wonderful opportunity to become closer with our families, get to know each other better and create new memories and experiences. Remember, physical distance and emotional distance are not the same for you or your kids. Relationships with friends can be strengthened as well by phoning, emailing and staying connected through Skype, WhatsApp or FaceTime. We’re all in this together. Together we can make it work. Together we can help keep everyone safe.
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 provides organization names, contact information as well as the dates and times of operations. TOPICS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: • Food resources • Health resources Emotional support helplines • Educational resources • Economic mobility resources and SNAP emergency benefits • Housing resources • Access to household resources • Utilities resources
• • • • • •
Senior resources Internet connectivity Teens with a Purpose – virtual teen gatherings Resources for people who are homeless Child care provider guidance And much more
Look for the link to the guide on NRHA’s website. The guide is updated regularly, so keep checking back. April 3, 2020 | Page 5
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT. RESOURCES. HOPE.
Domestic abuse can get worse during times of stress. If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline. If you are afraid, ask a friend to make the call for you. People are there to help you 24/7. 800-799-7233
800-787-3224 (TTY)
NRHA Community Contact Information Community Phone Number Email Calvert Square 757-624-8611 kbritt@nrha.us Cottage Bridge Apartments 757-314-2660 cledford@nrha.us Diggs Town 757-624-8606 aespree@nrha.us Eulalie Bobbitt Apartments 757-624-8616 vhamlin@nrha.us Franklin Arms 757-314-1520 llassiter@nrha.us Grandy Village 757-624-8608 bfleming@nrha.us Hunter Square Apartments 757-624-8619 dtate@nrha.us North Wellington 757-624-8616 vhamlin@nrha.us Oakleaf Forest 757-624-8612 rmassey@nrha.us Robert Patrea Apartments 757-624-8618 cledford@nrha.us Sykes Apartments 757-624-8617 tcross@nrha.us Tidewater Gardens 757-624-8602 ahiggins@nrha.us Young Terrace 757-624-8610 ywiggins@nrha.us Scattered site locations
757-624-8617
tcross@nrha.us
Property Management and Maintenance Issues Contact Information
Service Phone Number Email NRHA COVID Hotline 757-314-4200 --NRHA main office number 757-623-1111 --Emergency after hours public housing maintenance issues
757-623-5266
Resident programs and services, (including FSS and work programs) 757-314-2068
--ysmith@nrha.us
Public housing application processing 757-314-1631 sbullock@nrha.us HCV participant certifications and HQS inspections April 3, 2020 | Page 6
757-624-8629
pjoneswatford@nrha.us