The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Friday that they will allocate over $9 million in relief funding to help Louisiana residents living in public housing.
97 Public Housing Authorities in the state will receive funds to "prepare for, prevent and respond to the current COVID-19 crisis and safeguard both public housing residents and housing authority staff," according to a release.
The funds will be allocated through the Public Housing Operating Fund and can be used by public housing authorities to:
Prepare for a Coronavirus Outbreak by:
- Creating or updating infectious disease outbreak plans;
- Sourcing and purchasing personal protective equipment for PHA staff;
- Coordinating with providers of services needed to support residents, including the costs of delivery for goods, supplies and equipment;
- Coordinating with local health service providers in developing or providing guidance to staff or residents; travel for testing; or other reasons related to coronavirus;
- Paying for childcare costs for residents so that they can continue to work, and childcare costs for staff performing essential functions (as defined at the state/local level); and
Prevent a Coronavirus Outbreak by paying for:
- Costs related to maintaining adequate social distancing, including modifying or limiting access to communal spaces; increasing service hours to prevent crowding in waiting areas; or any other costs incurred to ensure adequate distance among staff and residents;
- Costs of delivering supplies so that staff or residents can shelter in place, thereby reducing exposure to the greatest number of people;
- Costs related to limiting the spread of the coronavirus, including travel costs for testing or other preventive health measures related to coronavirus;
- Expenses for isolating people suspected of being exposed or those at high-risk of serious complications if infected;
- Costs of protecting residents (particularly high-risk residents) from exposure from interaction with PHA staff and vice versa; and
- Salaries of PHA staff who are unable to work because of coronavirus public health restrictions
Respond to a Coronavirus Outbreak by paying for:
- Expenses of caring for PHA staff and residents who have tested positive, but do not require immediate hospitalization, including increases in sick leave allowances for PHA staff;
- Physical, personnel, or security costs incurred to limit movement;
- Costs to safely transport residents who have tested positive to a quarantine facility;
- Costs of supporting residents in quarantine with health-related supplies (e.g., masks and cleaning supplies).
- Expenses to safely transport residents/staff in need of medical attention;
- Expenses incurred because of coronavirus restrictions impacting PHA operations (e.g., paying for transportation expenses for PHA staff who rely on public transit that is no longer available);
- Costs to facilitate and coordinate with local schools and local governments receiving funds from the Department of Education for the education of students in public housing households:
- Internet connection infrastructure; and
- Tablets or other low-cost computers for students
To see a full list of the Housing Authorities and the amount of funds being provided, click here.
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