Month: March 2020

Here is a link to the newsletter mailed to all residents regarding:  https://www.northamptonhousing.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020-April-2020-Covid-Newsletter.pdf

You’ve likely heard by now that all child care programs in the state are closed and will remain so for as long as we are under a state of emergency. Temporary emergency back up child care has been set up an is opening as of today, Monday, March 23. Here is some further information about both of these issues. 

Emergency Back Up Child Care

• • • Recognizing that some people still need to work and have no other option, the state has authorized some child care providers to provide emergency, back up, drop-in child care.
    • A list of providers is posted on EEC’s website, and more will be added. So far, there are are a few hundred such providers, most operating 7:30am or 8:30 am- 5:00 pm. EEC hopes to make the list more searchable, but for now, it’s posted as a PDF. 
      • • https://eeclead.force.com/resource/1584913293000/EEC_EmergencyProviderList 
    • Here’s who will have priority access, from EEC’s website:
      • • Priority will be given to people including but not limited to health care workers, essential state and human service workers, COVID-19 health workers, grocery store employees, emergency response personnel, law enforcement, transportation and infrastructure workers, sanitation workers, DCF-involved families, and families living in shelters.
          • • • Based on a webinar with the Commissioner on Friday, it seems programs will use their discretion in deciding who gets care.
    • To access care, a family must call each provider to see if they have space on a day by day basis.
    • These programs will be completely free to families.
    • This is a fundamentally different program from regular early education. While there are health and safety requirements, they are not as stringent as regular early education. EEC has prioritized approving providers that already held EEC licenses, had a site visit in the past 6 months, and where all staff had completed background records checks.  
    • Families are encouraged to find other non-group care to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
    • Families will be provided a spot, to the extent available, day by day.
    • No transportation will be provided. Families need to find a way to get their children to the program and home each day.
    • Child care will be provided in center based settings, with no more than 2 classrooms open, with a max of 20 children in each classroom. Ages will be mixed. Normal rules about ratios do not apply. 
    • Child care will also be provided in family child care, i.e. providers in their homes. I believe that is limited to 10 children per provider.
    • The amount the state is paying providers will not cover the basic operating costs of running these programs. Programs are stepping up majorly to help our communities. DPH will prioritize COVID-19 testing for child care providers who may be exposed to coronavirus.

Child Care Closures

• • • Although child care providers are closed, many private providers continue to charge families their regular tuition. Here’s what Attorney General Maura Healey’s office has put out about that. https://www.mass.gov/guides/resources-during-covid-19#-child-care-and-resources-for-families-&-young-children-
    • Programs that receive child care subsidies will continue to be paid their full subsidized rate, with the state picking up the portion that would normally be paid through parent fees. To be clear, families with subsidized child care do not need to pay their regular parent fee to maintain their subsidy. 
    • When this is all over, families will get their subsidies back.

Please contact our Resident Services Coordinator Netanya Ortiz if you have any questions using our contact us page or clicking here.  

Here is the link to the memo: https://www.northamptonhousing.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID19-Resident-Memo-2.pdf

We were just informed by Mayor Narkewicz that effective Monday, March 16, 2020, all Northampton Municipal Buildings, including the Senior Center, will be closed to the public for two weeks. Our first priority at the Northampton Housing Authority is always the safety of our residents and employees therefore, our offices will be closed to the public from March 16, 2020 to March 27, 2020. 

Following the CDC and Massachusetts Department of Health guidance to minimize exposure between employees, and also between employees and the public, our management teams will be working remotely and answering phones/email communication.  The on-call maintenance team will be available to complete any emergencies that arise but we ask residents to be aware that nonemergency work orders will not occur during this time for the safety of both our residents and employees. Our on-call teams will be following all of the latest guidance when entering units and working in common areas to minimize exposure. Please notify our office if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, or have recently.

We have already received questions regarding rent and are cognizant that many hourly workers will lose income in March and possibly April and want to assure residents we will be lenient during this emergency period with regard to documentation accepted to verify the decrease in income or increase in deductions. We do not want residents being concerned about these changes at this time and we will work with all residents regarding these concerns.

We will continue to update residents as additional guidance and recommendations are received.

Link to Memo: https://www.northamptonhousing.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID19-Resident-Memo-1.pdf

Over the past few weeks, we’ve all seen the Coronavirus gain increasing attention in the media, from government officials, and across our country. On March 10, 2020, Governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency for Massachusetts. As this has unfolded, we have been monitoring the situation closely and have been taking steps to address the situation and be as prepared as possible.

Our first priority at the Northampton Housing Authority is always safety and our initial steps have aimed at ensuring the well-being of our employees, and residents, by enhance cleaning of common areas and common touch points such as door handles. We encourage all employees and residents to practice good hygiene, including washing hands often.

DHCD has asked us to remind residents of the following:

• To let management know if they are under self-isolation or quarantine orders, and in certain cases if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms, so that staff can adjust maintenance practices for those units.
• Ask residents and visitors to limit interaction with elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.

Additionally, we are asking staff and residents to please stay home if they are feeling ill, especially with a fever or persistent cough. If you are feeling any impact of the concerns around COVID-19 please contact your health care professional for instructions on how and when to report to a medical facility.

Our leadership team is continuously evaluating potential risks and areas of impact on our business including, service to our residents, programs, meetings, and community gatherings. All community events will be postponed at this time including our Board Meeting scheduled for next week. We will continue to monitor and communicate any changes to that decision.

In addition, out of an abundance of caution, we have scheduled a deep cleaning at all of our  properties in the common touch points such as elevators, common doors, and offices tomorrow, Friday, March 13, 2020. During this time, our offices will be closed but on-call maintenance staff will be available to complete any emergencies that arise.

We will continue to update residents if any additional changes occur.