03/27/2020

Columbia Housing's COVID-19 Response Timeline

Please visit Columbia Housing's COVID-19 Response Timeline page on our website to stay abreast of the actions we continue to deploy for the safety and well-being of our residents.

COVID-19 Response Timeline

The safety and well-being of our residents and staff are among our highest priorities. Below is a timeline of action steps Columbia Housing has taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to update our action steps in accordance with recommendations from local, state and national public officials and public health officials.

MARCH

03.26.2020: Open Letter to Columbia Housing's Program Participants and Residents!
03.26.2020: Columbia Housing closes in compliance with Emergency Stay at Home Order by the City of Columbia.
03.26.2020: Columbia Housing Senior Facilities to be "Deep Cleaned" Tomorrow.
03.25.2020: Columbia Housing Waives Policy to Expedite Reduction in Rent for Residents Who've Lost Income. updated release
03.25.2020: Columbia Housing Waives Policy to Expedite Reduction in Rent for Residents Who've Lost Income
03.25.2020: Senior Facilities to be "Deep Cleaned" Friday, March 27, 2020
03.25.2020: Issued "Rent Reduction" Procedure for residents experiencing a change in income as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
03.25.2020: Received notice from HUD COVID-19 Disaster Relief that Columbia Housing's Statutory and Regulatory Relief Waivers were being held for processing pending Congressional guidance.
03.24.2020: Letter to Mayor Benjamin and members of Columbia City Council with updates on Columbia Housing's COVID-19 actions.
03.24.2020: Executive Committee's approval to proceed with securing immediate Statutory Relief from our Congressional Delegation on administrative requirements that create an immediate threat to our staff and the residents we serve and is in direct opposition to the guidelines set forth to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
03.24.2020: Submitted Federal Regulatory Waiver Request to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to postpone specific requirements that we feel we will not be able to comply with unless we violate the guidelines set forth to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
03.19.2020: Letter to Housing Choice Voucher Participants and Landlords
03.19.2020: Food and/or Meal Distribution Guidelines
03.19.2020: Information for CH's Housing Choice Voucher Participants
03.18.2020: Implemented staggered work schedules and teleworking options for staff
03.18.2020: Restricting Public Access to Property Management Offices and Community Rooms
03.18.2020: Housing Choice Voucher Participants - Frequently Asked Questions
03.17.2020: Visitation Protocols for Senior High Rise Communities
03.17.2020: Public Housing Residents - Frequently Asked Questions
03.17.2020: Public Housing Rent, Maintenance, and Public Health Directives
03.17.2020: Letter to Public Housing Residents
03.17.2020: COVID-19 Senior High-Rise Community Meetings: Dr. Melissa Nolan of the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina and Dr. Eric Brennan from Prisma Health will be joining us in meeting with our residents in the following communities (canceled due to update of protocols from public health officials).
- Arrington Manor
- Oak Reid
- Marion Street
- Rosewood Hills
03.16.2020: R estricting Public Access for Administrative Offices
03.13.2020: Notified all individuals having reserved the Tillis Center that due to COVID-19 and the CDC's recommendation on Social Distancing, we are canceling all events at the Tillis Center for the next two weeks. Deposits will be refunded and we will accommodate rescheduling these events after the CDC has lifted such recommendations.
03.11.2020: Contact PRISMA Health, SC DHEC regarding staff/resident training and possible quarantine measures should that need arise.
03.10.2020: Hung 100 informational posters from the CDC regarding avoiding the virus and signs of the virus in the main office and tech services, distributed 150 signs and full-sized posters to Property Management team for communities and high rises
03.09.2020: Issued News Release via the website and social media "Columbia Housing's Actions to Address Corona Virus Concerns"
WISTV ran a story on 3/10/2020 citing our News Release - "Columbia Housing announces precautionary steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus"
03.09.2020: Acquired hand sanitizer stations for the main office, tech services, Tillis Center and high rises, distributed disinfectant wipes and solution to Property Management team and maintenance staff.
03.09.2020: Fully implemented CDC recommendations:
- Hand sanitizer stations will be placed in the following locations:
  - Headquarter & all Lobby Areas throughout our portfolio
  - Reception Areas
  - Administrative Offices
  - Conference Rooms
  - High-rise Buildings (Arrington Manor, Marion Street, Oak Reid, Rosewood)
  - Tillis Center
  - Any Other areas deemed appropriate
- Disinfecting wipes will be distributed to Conference Rooms, Administrative Offices, Reception Areas; and any other areas deemed appropriate.
- Columbia Housing's janitorial services contractor is disinfecting common areas and surfaces throughout Columbia Housing's headquarters at 1917 Harden Street, including elevator buttons, door handles, and faucets, and is communicating with the CDC for any guidance on additional recommendations for cleaning procedures.
- Disposable gloves and pocket-size hand sanitizer dispensers will be ordered and distributed to inspectors, maintenance technicians, and Columbia Housing staff who perform home visits in the course of their job responsibilities.
- Employees who are ill are encouraged to stay home.
- Employees and residents 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.
- Columbia Housing is not ordering or providing facemasks at this time because the CDC specifically does not recommend that people who are well wearing a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including the disease caused by the coronavirus. In addition, the U.S. Surgeon General posted a tweet on February 29 that said, "STOP BUYING MASKS! They are NOT effective in preventing the general public from catching #Coronavirus, ..."
03.04.2020: Began process of trying to procure sufficient hand sanitizer, bleach wipes, and disinfecting materials
03.03.2020: Issued News Release via the website and social media "What you Need to Know About Coronavirus"
Ongoing conversations amongst staff regarding preventative measures

FEBRUARY

02.28.2020: Issued News Release via the website and social Media "Columbia Housing Stresses Healthy Habits Amid Coronavirus Concerns" included every day preventative measures that can be taken to avoid the virus.

"We want our staff, residents and community partners to take every precaution to remain healthy and safe," says Interim Executive Director Ivory Mathews. "Many of these healthy habits are already incorporated into our daily routines; we just need to be mindful to take extra precautions with this heightened concern about coronavirus," concludes Mathews.

Deployed COVID-19 Task Force using principles outlined in Columbia Housing's recently adopted Emergency Preparedness Plan (adopted November 2019).

MID-LATE JANUARY & FEBRUARY

Preparedness discussions began regarding possibilities and the need for staff to be aware and ready to act quickly if the virus begins to spread outside China

Additional resources issued by the Center for Disease control.

American Sign Language Video on COVID-19

What Older Adults Need to Know about COVID-19

6 Steps to Prevent COVID-19

10 Things to Do to Manage COVID-19 at Home

For more information on Columbia Housing's COVID-19 Response please visit our COVID-19 Response web page.

Follow Us At

Please visit our website at ColumbiaHousingsc.org for more information about Columbia Housing!