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HACP extends closure of public offices by 30 days

March 30, 2020

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) has been strictly adhering to guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control and Allegheny County Health Department regarding COVID-19. As of Monday, March 30, 2020, HACP will extend its office closure and continuation of remote operations for another 30 days. This is in accordance with federal and state recommendations. We will continue to monitor local and national developments and modify our work plans accordingly to continue to provide the services that our residents and the public depend upon.

This closure still includes our central offices at 200 and 100 Ross Street, including the following departments: Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), Occupancy, Human Resources as well as HACP’s site management offices. HACP will also continue to restrict access to common areas such as computer labs and community rooms, as well as continue to postpone resident meetings or move them to a virtual setting. HACP will also be restricting access to playgrounds and basketball courts located within our communities to further encourage social distancing.

During this period of closure, HACP will continue to provide remote services by telephone and email. To the greatest extent possible, HACP will continue to work to maintain safe and sanitary conditions throughout the communities that we own and manage. HACP has been actively sharing information provided by our public health partners to be used as guidance for staff and we have been posting regular health updates for residents in their communities.

From the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, HACP has closely followed public health guidance to determine how business-as-usual should be conducted during these difficult circumstances, even as we work to provide the services for which people depend on us. To date, we have:

  • Closed offices to the public until further notice
  • Utilized telecommunications for meetings, interviews, and trainings
  • Moved our Board of Commissioners meetings to a virtual setting
  • Set up staff to work remotely
  • Suspended all rent-related evictions
  • Coordinated food delivery for vulnerable residents
  • Established a HACP Hotline: 412-456-5111
  • Established a COVID-19 resources page: https://hacp.org/covid-19/
  • Set-up weekly “House Calls” for internal messaging with staff

As we continue to reassess our policies and operations, we will rely heavily on guidance from public health officials to ensure necessary measures are taken to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“We’ve taken steps to ensure the safety of our residents and staff and we will continue to do our part to contain COVID-19 and adapt to the new normal,” said HACP Executive Director Caster D. Binion. “For HACP ‘normal’ will be defined by our continued efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees, residents, clients, and various partners during these turbulent times.”

HACP encourages residents, applicants and interested parties to watch for updates on Authority operations. Visit the COVID-19 page on our website (www.hacp.org/covid-19) for updates and contact information. You can also stay updated by following our social media channels (Twitter: @HACP1 & Facebook: HACPgh).

For additional information, please contact Michelle Sandidge, Chief Community Affairs Officer, at 412-456-5058 or michelle.sandidge@hacp.org.