Here are some informational resources regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and how to keep your communities safe and healthy. In addition, please remember to check with your local health department and local governments.
The   Department of Housing and Urban Development's COVID-19 page  states that "everyone should continue promoting everyday disease prevention strategies":

  • If you are sick, stay home from work or school.
  • Avoid close contact with those who are already sick.
  • Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with a tissue or the crook of your arm.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.

PHA-related waiver requests should be sent to   PIH_Disaster_Relief@hud.gov  

PIH dedicated email address for questions to   PIH-COVID@hud.gov  

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Federal Government Resources:
Short version of CDC guidance   (added 3/17/2019)
(added 3/12/2020)

Message from Multifamily Housing   (added 3/3/2020)

Other Resources
Infectious Disease Preparedness Among Homeless Assistance Providers and Their Partners
Webinars:
NAHRO's webinar "Leading During COVID-19" can be found  here
(Added 3/13/2020; Recorded on 3/12/2020)

Slides from NAHRO's webinar titled "Leading During COVID-19" can be found  here
(Added 3/13/2020; Recorded on 3/12/2020)
Dear Members,
 
In light of the ongoing global health concerns, we wanted to reach out to you and let you know that your well-being is our number one priority.
 
We are carefully following all appropriate safety procedures as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
 
At this time the Southwest NAHRO 80 th  Annual Conference, June 8th-10th in Albuquerque, NM is moving forward as scheduled. We will be closely monitoring the situation and keep you updated as we learn more. Please do not hesitate to contact the Service Office should you have any questions or concerns.
 
Sincerely,
Shelli Scrogum
Regional Service Officer
A Real Place to Call Home
(Pictured: Leo Young; Payne County OKDHS Caseworker , Holly H.; FYI-Voucher Recipient , Leslie Yager; Stillwater Housing Authority , Amanda Aunko; OKSA Housing Navigator )

The Stillwater Housing Authority (SHA) has entered into a partnership agreement with Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD’s new Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative provides housing vouchers to local housing authorities to preven t and end homelessness among young adults who’ve recently left the foster care system. The initiative focuses on increasing housing options for former foster youth under the age of 24, that are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

“Ensuring young adults leaving foster care have viable housing options, like those created through the FYI partnership, is essential to them meeting every other goal of independence. We can all imagine how hard it would be to focus on work or school when you don’t have a stable place to sleep at night.” Said OKSA Housing Navigator, Amanda Aunko.

Stillwater Housing Authority & Payne County DHS signed memorandums of understanding (MOU) last fall with the first FYI-voucher recipient moving into their apartment in January. Prior to receiving the FYI-Voucher Holly was a former foster youth that was couch hopping every night. As a parent to one child with another on the way she desired to overcome her current situation and find a stable home for her child to return to.

Through community partnerships with Oklahoma Successful Adulthood (OKSA), The First Baptist Church in Perkins and other local service providers Holly will receive supports in the areas of tenant rights & responsibilities, basic life skills, and job preparation to ensure she successfully transitions to independent living. Read More....

Posted on  February 25, 2020
Category 1:
Resident Graduating Senior

Scholarships are available in three areas to graduating seniors who are residents and receive direct housing benefits from one of the member agencies of the Council. The first scholarship is a $4,000 four-year scholarship awarded to a graduating senior, with $1,000 payable each year over a four-year period. A second, $1,000 one-time scholarship honoring Philip W. Miller is available to graduating seniors who are
residents of a public housing agency.
The third area includes scholarship awards of a minimum of $500.00 to resident graduating seniors who
successfully apply to the program, who attained a four-year 3.0 GPA and an 18 on the ACT, 1290 on the Old SAT or 860 on the New SAT.
Category 3:
Head of Household Scholarship

Scholarships are available for Heads of Households who are residents of a housing agency or program participant and who plan to begin or are presently attending college. etc.
Category 2:
Child of Staff Scholarship

One $1,000 one-year scholarship is available to a graduating senior of an agency staff family. In addition, either another one-year $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior of an agency staff family or 2 one-year $500 scholarships are awarded to agency staff
family members already in college. These scholarships are given in memory of Mr. Michael Hanratty and Ms.
Cissy Wood.
Category 4:
Nontraditional Student Scholarship

This scholarship is for nontraditional students or students in a nontraditional program. This award is a minimum of $500 and is to resident/participant graduating seniors who successfully apply to the program. Two, one-year scholarships are awarded. The program is competitive and awards based on academic achievement, extra curricular activities, and community involvement.
NAHRO News
NAHRO IN THE NEWS
Regional News
Click here for the latest Job Postings in the Southwest Region! It’s free to post your RFP’s and Job Openings on SWNAHRO.ORG. Email them to us swnahro@brazosnet.com  
The Regional Newsletter is published every month. Do you want to submit an article next month? Email it to us swnahro@brazosnet.com
Submission due date: 4/12/2020
What HUD’s Proposed Rule Gets Wrong about Fair Housing
Before Congress passed the Fair Housing Act in April 1968, it was common and, in most states, legal for real estate agents, banks, landlords, and entire communities to discriminate against people of color and limit their housing options. Today, the Act prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status across the US, but discrimination persists . Congress included in the Act a requirement that federal housing and community development funds be used to “affirmatively further fair housing” (AFFH).
Although the AFFH requirement has been inconsistently enforced , the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Congress, and federal courts have consistently interpreted this provision as requiring federal agencies and state and local governments to use federal funds to eliminate discrimination, reverse racial segregation, and improve access to opportunity for protected groups.
In 2015, HUD adopted a rule that, for the first time, rigorously enforced the AFFH requirement and provided tools to help local communities comply. HUD created a standardized Assessment of Fair Housing, which asks cities and counties that receive federal housing funds to measure housing needs and access to opportunity for racial and ethnic minorities and other protected groups. To help communities complete their assessments, HUD provided robust data and a mapping tool to analyze housing and neighborhood conditions, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, disability status, and other protected characteristics. Read More....
The blog of the Urban Institute - March 16, 2020