The Longview Housing Authority (LHA) is committed to ensuring a safe, healthy environment for all staff, participants and partners. In an effort to support public health officials in preventing the spread of a contagious virus, the LHA has developed a plan to help prevent and respond to a pandemic. As a general rule the prevention policy will be enforced as the situation warrants. Effective March 16, 2020, LHA has made temporary changes to operations in response to COVID-19.
The LHA lobby will be closed to the public until further notice. LHA staff are closely monitoring the situation and will reassess processes as appropriate. LHA would like to assure our customers that we have a detailed plan to continue providing customer service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Until further notice, LHA will implement the following temporary changes:
• Suspension of all in-office appointments, briefings, hearings, and meetings
• Suspension of non-violent terminations
• Limited inspections
- Initial inspections of unoccupied units
- Required inspections
- Emergency inspections
• Suspension of voucher issuance for current and new program participants
- Automatic extensions will be granted
• Suspension of unit to unit moves and portability moves
• Rental payments to landlords will continue, however, delays may occur
Customers are encouraged use the following methods to submit documents or communicate with LHA:
• Online at www.AssistanceCheck.com (detailed instructions on how to establish
an online account can be found
here)
• Email - LHA@LongviewTexas.gov
• Fax – (903) 237-1254
• Mail – P.O. Box 1952, Longview, TX 75606
You may also call at (903) 237-1235 and listen to the menu options so that you are connected with the correct Housing Team member to assist you. To report an inspection emergency call (903) 237-1235 (option 4). Please expect delays in response times due to high call volume.
Participants MUST continue to report the following:
• Remain compliant with repayment agreements and payments
• Submit Annual Re-certification documents
• Income changes (increase or decrease)
- If you have been laid-off or experienced reduced work hours as result of COVID-19, please be sure to report this change to us immediately.
• All household composition changes
Customers are encouraged to follow LHA’s Facebook (@LongviewHousingAuthority) and Twitter (@LongviewHousing) pages for updates.
Housing Office Sanitation Precautions:
• Hand sanitizer stations will be placed in the following locations:
- Main lobby
- Briefing room
- Conference room
- Individual offices
• Disinfecting wipes will be distributed to all offices and any other areas deemed appropriate.
• LHA’s janitorial services contractor, Service Master, is disinfecting common areas and surfaces throughout LHA’s office at 1202 Sixth Street, including door handles, key pads, and faucets, and is staying informed with CDC updates for any guidance on additional recommendations for cleaning procedures.
• Disposable gloves and pocket-size hand sanitizer dispensers will be ordered and distributed to inspectors and LHA staff who perform home visits in the course of their job responsibilities.
• Employees who are ill are encouraged to stay home.
• Employees are encouraged to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; if soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
GENERAL INFORMATION ON COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS
Transmission
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads,
Symptoms
Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
Prevention
The best way to prevent infection is to take precautions to avoid exposure to this virus, which are similar to the precautions you take to avoid the flu. CDC always recommends these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
