Letter to Janet Abrahams, President & CEO of the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, James Bebley, Acting CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority, Kate Bennett, Admin. of the Boston Housing Authority, Richard Gentry, President & CEO of the San Diego Housing Commission, Douglas Guthrie, President & CEO of the Housing Authority of Los Angeles, Katherine Harasz, Executive Director of the Santa Clara County Housing Authority, Kelvin Jeremiah, President & CEO of the Philadelphia Housing Authority, Dariush Kayhan, Deputy Executive Director of Programs for the San Francisco Housing Authority, Andrew Lofton, Executive Director of the Seattle Housing Authority, Gregory Russ, Chair and CEO of the New York City Housing Authority - McHenry Calls on Public Housing Authorities to Prepare for Impact of Coronavirus on Residents

Letter

The nation's Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) are on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak. Federally-assisted housing properties serve populations that are particularly vulnerable, including the homeless, older adults, and persons with certain pre-existing medical conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease are at a higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19.

The homeless population presents a unique set of challenges related to the viability of social distancing strategies and access to resources. For instance, the CDC advises anyone who is sick to avoid public spaces and limit contact with other people. The homeless population may require specific assistance from local Continuum of Care (CoC) services providers to implement CDC's guidance.

In light of the above, we urge you and your teams to direct your PHA, the owners and managers of federally-assisted housing, and appropriate CoC services providers to take the following steps to support the federal, state, and local effort to address COVID-19:

-Implement policies that limit non-resident access to buildings that house older adults. COVID-19 disproportionately affects older populations. Many older adults have been advised to avoid travel and crowds and employ social distancing strategies. Limiting access for non-residents for essential purposes only could protect this vulnerable population and such policies are consistent with the President's advice "that nursing homes for the elderly suspend all medically unnecessary visits."
-Notify all residents in federally-assisted housing properties in the event that a resident in a dwelling tests positive for COVID-19. Mandatory notifications will allow residents to take additional precautions pursuant to CDC guidelines in the event that a neighbor tests positive for COVID-19.
-Develop strategies for managing outbreaks within the unsheltered homeless population. The homeless population may not have viable options for self-quarantine or social distancing in the event of contact with a COVID-19 patient. Homeless patients also create a broader public health risk related to spreading COVID-19 throughout public spaces. CoC services providers should develop and implement tailored strategies appropriate for the local challenges of the homeless populations they serve.

Please provide a written response to cover how and when your housing authority will implement the recommendations described herein. Provide your response to the House Committee on Financial Services minority staff as soon as possible, but no later than March 20, 2020. Please contact staff at (202) 225-7502 with any questions about this request. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

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