COVID-19 FAQs for OCHA Public Housing Residents

Q: What does proclamation addressing new phase beginning June 1, 2020 in Oklahoma City’s COVID-19 response mean?

Mayor David Holt signed a new emergency proclamation for Oklahoma City’s COVID-19 response that includes recommendations for high-risk activities that are intended to limit the spread of the coronavirus.  This proclamation follows Mayor Holt’s announced intention to largely align this new phase of Oklahoma City’s COVID-19 response with the State of Oklahoma’s OURS Plan. The proclamation takes effect June 1.  Its provisions will be reevaluated no later than June 15.  White House and State of Oklahoma guidelines require this phase to last at least two weeks.  Based on public health data, the state of emergency could potentially end at the conclusion of that two-week period.

Visit covid19.okc.gov for the latest local COVID-19 news, guidance and City services updates.

Mayor Holt and public health officials encourage Oklahoma City residents and employers to follow best practices recommended by Oklahoma City County Health Department.  The best practices include:

• Continue practicing social distancing when possible, including staying 6 feet away from other people.
• Wear a face mask in public
• Workplaces should comply with all general and industry-specific distancing and hygiene guidelines.

Q: Oklahoma City Housing Authority office hours effective May 30, 2020.

Oklahoma City Housing Authority offices will be closed to the public but staffed and available by phone and email from  7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday until July 13, 2020.

Q: How do I pay my rent?

You can mail your rent to management office or place in drop box or under management office door. Make sure you put your rent statement with the payment so we know where to apply the payment.  If you are already on auto draft, your payment will be auto drafted.

Q: What if I am unable to pay my rent on time?

There is a temporary moratorium on: (1) evictions for nonpayment of rent and (2) fees and penalties related to nonpayment of rent, applies to all tenants, regardless of whether employment was affected by COVID-19.  Any rent missed during the moratorium will accumulate and still be due after July 24, 2020.

Q: My income has decreased because of COVID-19.  How soon will my rent decrease?

Please immediately report any income changes to your property management office even if you have applied for/are receiving unemployment benefits or began new employment.  If possible, please take a screenshot or a picture of any documentation you have and attach it to the form. All changes of income must be reported within ten (10) calendar days.

Q: Can I still submit a work order if I live in OCHA housing?
Yes, we are taking work orders. However, we have temporarily placed a hold on all non-essential work in order to ensure staff have time to address urgent health and safety issues. Maintenance staff will only be responding to essential and emergency work orders (e.g., a burst pipe, a fire, gas leak, flooding, no power in unit) and will use the hygiene and social distancing practices recommended by the CDC. All other work orders will be logged and taken care of at a later date.

Q: Maintenance staff is performing work in my home, is it safe to stay in my home while the work is being performed?

Yes, OCHA maintenance staff will be using the hygiene and social distancing practices recommended by the CDC; however, if you or any of your family members are sick, please disclose this to the OCHA maintenance staff prior to maintenance staff entering your home.  If the work order is not an emergency, we will reschedule.  If you and your family members are not sick and a member of OCHA Maintenance staff is performing an emergency work in your home, we are asking that you practice social distancing with our staff. If you are uncomfortable staying in your home while the work is being performed, you may leave your home and either go to the lobby or take a walk.  

Q: Am I permitted to use the elevators in my building?

Yes. Please avoid crowding on elevators and make sure there is adequate space between riders. If you are uncomfortable riding the elevator with another resident, it is okay to wait for the next ride. It is recommended that you use your elbow or a gloved hand to push elevator buttons to avoid any exposure of COVID-19 to other riders. As always, wash your hands and use hygiene practices recommended by the CDC regularly when leaving your unit.

Q: Why can’t my kids use the playground at my property?

All playgrounds are closed because they pose a high risk of COVID-19 transmission.  Individuals and families are still able to go outside, including to parks and outdoor spaces that remain open, and take a walk, run, or bike ride but should continue to practice social distancing by remaining 6 feet away from other people.

Q: Why can’t I socialize with my neighbor?

For your safety, as well as the safety of those in your community, you should remain at home with your immediate household members to help fight the spread of COVID-19. We encourage you to keep in contact with your friends, family and neighbors through the telephone calls or other virtual socialization tools.

You may travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons, but if possible, it is recommended that you drop off supplies, food, and medication to those relatives in need of assistance, to minimize interaction.

Q: Can I still smoke at my property?

OCHA’s properties are still smoke-free, so you will still need to go off property to smoke. Please practice social distancing recommendations and maintain at least 6 feet from other residents when smoking outdoors.

Q: Can I still take my animal outside or on a walk?

Yes. You may walk your dog and seek medical care for your pet should they require it. Be sure to practice social distancing while out on walks, maintaining at least 6 feet from other neighbors and their pets.

Q: Why have property management office schedules changed? How do I get in touch with my Property Manager?

In an effort to avoid exposure and keep OCHA residents and staff safe and healthy, OCHA has adjusted property management schedules by working alternating shifts. Offices are closed to the public but staffed for phone calls and emails 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday. If you have an immediate need, please call your property office and leave a message. For prompt response, please make sure you provide OCHA with your most up to date phone number and an email address. You can always call our Central Office at 405-239-7551 between 7:00am-5:00pm Monday through Saturday. For after hour emergency maintenance call 405-232-1041.

Q: Can I still do my laundry?

OCHA laundry rooms are still open; however, we encourage you to maintain at least 6 feet from others doing their laundry. As always, wash your hands and use hygiene practices recommended by the CDC regularly when leaving your unit.

Q: Will OCHA notify the residents if another resident or staff member has the Virus?

 We take the health and safety of our residents very seriously.  If a case is confirmed with an OCHA resident or staff member, please be assured that we are taking steps provided to us by our local health and government officials to ensure that we are doing all we can to keep others safe. Any resident confirmed will be asked to self-quarantine or to follow their doctor’s guidance.  We urge you not to panic, but to stay informed.

Make sure to utilize CDC recommended health and hygiene guidelines: wash your hands frequently; avoid touching your face, eyes, and mouth, sanitize commonly used surfaces, and maintain proper social distancing.

If you develop symptoms, such as fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with someone known to have COVID-19 or have traveled from an area with ongoing spread of coronavirus, call your health care provider or COVID-19 hotline at 877-215-8336 for recommendation first.

To help prevent spread of COVID-19, OCHA has closed community rooms and postponed non-urgent work.  Common areas and common surfaces (bathrooms, elevators, door handles, railings, chairs, tables and countertops, etc.,) are disinfected at least twice daily. We will continue this effort throughout the course of the current COVID-19 outbreak.

Q: Can we stop all people from coming into the building?

We have advised all residents to limit visitors coming into the building to those that are essential to maintaining their health and safety. Additionally, signs have been posted at the property and in the buildings that advise guests to stay at home if they are experiencing any flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath—no matter how mild. We encourage you to notify your guests if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms to not visit until they have been symptom-free for 2 weeks. OCHA has also made the front entry doors 24/7 Access Controlled, so you must have a key card to enter the building at our high-rise properties.

Q: How long is this going to last?  

OCHA is not a public health agency, and is not able to predict when it will be safe to lift safety protocols. White House and State of Oklahoma guidelines for this phase require it to last at least two weeks.  Mayor Holt intends to continue evaluating criteria defined by the White House as he gauges Oklahoma City’s readiness for the state of emergency to end and will continue to listen to public health officials and Governor Stitt.

Visit the OKC County Health website at https://www.occhd.org/COVID-19 to learn more about COVID-19 or the COVID-19 Hotline at 1-877-215-8336.

We are updating our website at https://www.ochanet.org/alert_detail.php/.

Q: How will I know if something changes at OCHA?

OCHA will keep posting updated signage and flyers around building or property manager’s office door, on our website at www.ochanet.org, or direct flyers to your units.

Q: What can I do to help slow the spread of COVID-19?

Do not permit guests to visit your home.  Find other ways such as talking on the phone, face timing etc. to socialize. Make sure to utilize CDC recommended health and hygiene guidelines: wash your hands frequently; avoid touching your face, eyes, and mouth, sanitize commonly used surfaces, and maintain proper social distancing.

If you develop symptoms, such as fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with someone known to have COVID-19 or have traveled from an area with ongoing spread of coronavirus, call your health care provider or COVID-19 hotline at 877-215-8336 for recommendation first.

Updated June 1, 2020

COVID-19 24 Hour Access Control

Health and safety is, and will always be our top priority.  The Oklahoma City Housing Authority (OCHA) is doing what we can to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus commonly referred to as, Coronavirus.  

Due to increased concern about potentially spreading the virus, in addition to the Development Office common areas and management offices being closed, OCHA is locking entrance doors 24 hours a day effective, Monday, March 23, 2020, to help decrease foot traffic. OCHA staff is available by phone or email and we encourage members of the public to contact us.

Current normal business hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

Public Housing Residents

• Call your property manager if you have an emergency maintenance request
• Applicants call 405-605-3277
• Call your social service coordinator with social service needs or concerns
• Call the after-hours maintenance phone line with any after-hours emergency maintenance requests -- 405-232-1041

Section 8 Tenants or Applicants

          Call 405-239-7551 to be connected to Leased Housing Staff

Public Housing Contractors

          Call 405-605-3278 to be connected to staff

General Visitors

Call 405-239-7551

In addressing the rapidly changing situation with novel coronavirus (COVID-19), OCHA will rely on the guidance and direction of public health authorities.

OCHA Resources

COVID-19 Notice to Residents - Senior 04-30-2020

Covid-19 Notice to Residents - Family 04-30-2020

COVID-19 Notice to Residents - Senior 03-18-2020

Covid-19 Notice to Residents - Family 03-18-2020

COVID-19 Notice to Leased Housing - 07-02-2020

COVID-19 Notice to Residents - Family

COVID-19 Notice to Residents - Senior

COVID-19 Office Closed Notice

OCHA Guests of Residents Poster

To learn more about novel coronavirus, including how to protect yourself and others, the Oklahoma State Department of Health has provided answers to common questions.

Phone Support

The Oklahoma State Department of Health has set up a call center to help answer your questions. For more information about what is happening in Oklahoma, how the virus is spread, and what to do if you have symptoms, call 1-877-215-8336.  The Call center hours are Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  The Call Center has the capability to connect callers to Spanish speaking interpreters.

Additional Resources

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have outlined simple steps for infection prevention and good hygiene to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Printable posters and handouts are also available from the CDC.

LeadingAge has published advice to help affordable housing service providers prepare communities, residents, and staff.