HRHA invites public comments to 2021 Annual Plans

Public Comment Notice

 

The Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners Meeting will receive public comment on its proposed FY 2021 Annual Plan, Admission and Continued Occupancy Policies and Budgets at its meeting on August 19, 2020 beginning at 4:00 PM, or as soon thereafter as possible.  This meeting will be held at the Authority’s administrative office located at 286 Kelley Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

 

The Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority announces that its proposed FY2021 Annual Plan, FY2021 Budget, Administrative Plan for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, and Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policies for JR “Polly” Lineweaver, Lineweaver Annex, Franklin Heights and Commerce Village programs will be available for public review and comment beginning August 19, 2020 through October 3, 2020.  Copies may be obtained during office hours at the Authority’s administrative office, located at 286 Kelley Street, Harrisonburg, VA as well as on its website, https://harrisonburgrha.com/document-center/#board-of-commissioners-reports–minutes

HRHA Extends Eviction Moratorium Through August 24, 2020

At July’s Board of Commissioners meeting, the board unanimously approved a 30 day extension of the CARES Act eviction moratorium which was set to expire July 24, 2020. This is for residents participating in all HRHA housing programs. The new date is August 24, 2020. We encourage all tenants that are behind on their rents to either contact their property managers or private landlords to explore establishing a payment plan.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has provided some helpful resources for both residents and landlords to plan for and implement strategies to keep families stably housed and mitigate economic hardships due to COVID-19.

Residents and Tenants can check out the resources in the July 2020 HUD Tenant Pamphlet

Landlords can learn more about working with tenants to prevent eviction in the July 2020 HUD Landlord Pamphlet 

Securing housing for 100 Families in 100 Days – Join us

With additional funding through the 2020 CARES Act, Harrisonburg Redevelopment & Housing Authority (HRHA) is urgently looking to find housing for 100 new Harrisonburg and Rockingham families by September 30, 2020. As a result of COVID-19, individuals and families have seen increased challenges in accessing affordable housing.

In our community, we simply do not have enough landlords who accept housing vouchers. This means individuals and families who have been approved for housing assistance, looking for a place to rent, are unable to find one. We need your help!

Throughout this campaign we will be offering information sessions about leasing with HRHA, sharing landlord and resident perspectives around our housing needs, and working hard to secure housing for 100 individuals and families.

Please join us in connecting with Harrisonburg and Rockingham landlords. Follow our Facebook for updates and check in with our 100 Families webpage. Thanks!

Are you a Harrisonburg or Rockingham landlord interested in learning more about accepting vouchers? Check out our Landlord Page for upcoming info sessions, FAQs, and more!

Goal Met: Over 1,000 masks in two weeks

In two weeks community members of Harrisonburg and Rockingham county helped supply HRHA with over 1,000 cloth face masks.

We are so grateful for all the masks that came in and the many hands who made them. We still welcome mask donations, though will not be able to provide compensation at this time. Please check in with other local organizations who may have a more pressing need for masks.

Thank you for helping increase the safety and well-being of our whole community by ensuring our residents have a face mask when they leave the house.

Thank you!

COVID-19 Temporary Waivers & Alternative Requirements

Summary of Public Housing and HCV Temporary Waivers and Alternative Requirements

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released waivers and alternative requirements for Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. HRHA has adopted specific waivers noted in the chart linked below, effective April 15, 2020, with the respective time frames and details included.

View: HRHA COVID-19 Temporary Waivers & Alternative Requirements

Community Call for Cloth Face Masks

The Harrisonburg Redevelopment & Housing Authority (HRHA) is asking for community support in providing washable face masks for our residents and staff. We will also connect donated masks to those experiencing homelessness and the community members who work with them. HRHA is willing to provide compensation. Masks can be dropped off at our main office at 286 Kelley St in Harrisonburg. We are aiming to gather and distribute 1,000 cloth face masks over the next month. Can you help us do that?

Questions? Contact our Resident Services Coordinator Everett Brubaker
– Through our Facebook page
– Though email: ebrubaker@harrisonburgrha.com
– Through the website contact form

You may also call our main office M-F 9:00am to 4:30pm at 540 – 434- 7386

Please share with your neighbors and networks!

Instructions for making cloth face masks from the CDC

COVID-19 April 6, 2020 Update

Staying at home is the best way to help keep you, your family, and your community safe.

HRHA is continuing to operate on essential staff status to support the Governor’s Stay-at-Home order. We encourage all residents and community members to follow these orders: traveling out for essential items only, staying six feet away from individuals, and restricting all visitors to your units/homes. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance. Together we can successfully get through these times.  – Michael Wong

April 6, 2020 updates are as follows: 
1. A 120 day moratorium on evictions for nonpayment of rent has been established.
2. Late fees have been suspended.
3. Repayment agreements can be extended upon request to the Housing Authority.
4. No tolling on housing searches.
5. Housing Choice Voucher Recertifications will be completed by mail.
6. Interior Pest control services are temporary halted until further notice.

Additional changes, forms, updates, and more can be found at www.harrisonburgrha.com/covid19 

Social Security Commissioner Press Release Regarding COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments for Beneficiaries

On Friday April 3, 2020 Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul provided an update to persons who receive SSI in relation to the recently passed COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments. Social Security beneficiaries will receive their economic impact payments, and filing a tax return is not required for these persons.

More details can be viewed in the Press Release.

COVID-19 March 30, 2020 Update

HRHA is monitoring the COVID-19 situation seriously and adjusting operations accordingly. As you know, HRHA serves some of the most vulnerable populations in our community. We will provide weekly updates as the situation progresses. Ensuring our residents remain healthy and housed, and keeping our staff safe, remain priorities.

 

Moving Forward-Please accept my thanks and appreciation to all our residents, program participants, and community stakeholders for working with us as we implemented social distancing policies and changed how we do business.  For the near future, we will continue operating on essential staff status with limited public access to the main administrative office- being responsive to all communications through email, mail, and telephone.  We recognize the housing need within our community and anticipate resuming processing of new applications and leasing up in mid-April.   We apologize for any  inconvenience with our temporary suspension of new admissions. 

We are hearing firsthand how the virus has impacted many in our community, the trauma of adjusting to the economic change, and the uncertainty with the near future.  We want to be as responsive as possible with the understanding of the importance of working together to support public health and reduce the impact of COVID-19 within our community.  Thank you and be safe.

– Michael Wong, Executive Director, HRHA

 

Updates Effective 4/1:

The Virginia Governor’s stay-at-home order is important and captures the seriousness of this pandemic. However, submitting or picking up documents at the Housing Authority office is still permissible/allowed under this order. Further clarifications for future activities related to government funded housing will be announced.

New Administrative office hours for pick-up and delivery: 9:00 AM- 4:30 PM

No late rent fees for all HRHA owned properties for April 2020

Housing Choice Voucher Program participants have up till  3/30 to report any income changes for April 2020

COVID-19 March 23, 2020 Update

HRHA is monitoring the COVID-19 situation seriously and adjusting operations accordingly. As you know, HRHA serves some of the most vulnerable populations in our community. We will provide weekly updates as the situation progresses. Ensuring our residents remain healthy and housed, and keeping our staff safe, remain priorities.

March 23rd updates are as follows:

1. Phone coverage will continue at the Main office M-F 9-5, with the lobby open for drop off or pick up of forms and documents.

2. For all program participants, we are accepting any decrease in changes of income for April’s rent up to March 30, 2020. Change in income can be updated through our online form HERE.

3. Effective immediately, HRHA will delay processing any income increases reported by HCV participants. Changes should still be reported. HRHA will clarify and modify this process in the coming weeks, to include provisions for new COVID19-related unemployment income.

4. We are temporary suspending any late fee charges for rent effective April 1, 2020.

5. We are planning to start issuing vouchers/rental assistance in April 2020.

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Existing Operating Procedures effective March 16, 2020
1. All interim and re-certifications will be conducted through an online form or over the phone until further notice.
• Income changes can now be submitted via an online form: https://harrisonburgrha.com/change-in-income-form/
• Changes in household can be submitted via an online form:
https://harrisonburgrha.com/change-in-household-form/
• Annual certification paperwork will be mailed, with instructions for completing.

2. The main office will continue being closed to the public. Documents can be signed/dropped off but in person meetings will not be held.

3. JR Polly Lineweaver and Lineweaver Annex buildings are closed to visitors. Only family and health care personnel may enter. All entrances except for the front entrance will be locked. Family and health care personnel must sign in. Entrance will be open 9:00am to 4:30pm.

4. Work orders will only be completed if life or safety issue.

5. Rent statements will be mailed, NOT picked up in office.

6. New applications for housing assistance, and move ins will be temporarily suspended. We will provide notice when new applications and move ins will resume.

7. HRHA is working diligently to prevent delays in housing assistance payments to HCV landlords. Thank you for being patient during this time.

Our website is updated regularly and includes general information about the virus as well as updates to our operating procedures as they are developed. Thank you for your patience during this time.