#HousersAtWork August Archives

Public housing agencies (PHAs) of all sizes are responding to the COVID-19 health crisis while continuing to house families and provide platforms for opportunity. NAHRO’s #HousersAtWork campaign shows how much our PHA members do for their residents and communities – especially during this pandemic. 

This page is an archive of the stories we shared in August, 2020. For more information on the campaign and how you can share your stories, visit www.nahro.org/news/housersatwork-phas-responding-to-covid-19/.

Questions about the campaign? Please contact Sylvia Gimenez at sgimenez@nahro.org.

Selma Housing Authority

The Selma Housing Authority partnered with the City of Selma and Blackbelt Technologies Inc. to provide residents with free broadband access.

Nashville Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency

Resident associations and staff members from Nashville MDHA held a drive-thru face mask giveaway for their community on Strong Family Day 2020.

Providence Housing Authority

Providence Housing Authority provided free COVID-19 testing for congregate housing residents, in partnership with Lifespan.

Housing Authority of New Orleans

The Housing Authority of New Orleans and several community partners paired a back-to-school giveaway with Census 2020 outreach.

Tioga Bradford Housing & Redevelopment Authority

The Tigoa Bradford Housing & Redevelopment Authority and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank restarted their “Power Pack Backpack” program, giving free backpacks and groceries to school-age residents.

Huntsville Housing Authority

The Huntsville Housing Authority used CARES Act funds to provide free childcare for employed residents – “We are very excited we have these funds available because typically this isn’t a service we can pay for…”

San Jose Housing Department

The San Jose Housing Department partnered with Santa Clara County to provide a free Housing Mediation Program for landlords and tenants during COVID-19.

Housing Authority of the City of Goldsboro

The Housing Authority of the City of Goldsboro held back to school giveaways for youth residents in partnership with Aaron’s Inc. and Resourceful Clinical Labs.

East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority

The East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority partnered with the local school district to ensure that 700 children and 4.4k families in subsidized housing have computers and strong internet connections.

Columbia Housing Authority

Columbia Housing Authority and Senior Resources Inc. provided free meal packs and masks to 323 seniors through November 16.

Santa Clara County Housing Authority

Santa Clara County Housing Authority supported students from their rental assistance programs with $49k in scholarships through their Strive program.

Lowell Housing Authority

To encourage senior residents during COVID-19, the Lowell Housing Authority packed 1,200 colorful “boredom bags” with entertainment and resources.

Philadelphia Housing Authority

Philadelphia Housing Authority and their partners developed 2,000 units of affordable housing since 2013, and they plan to develop more!

Housing Authority of the District of Birmingham

The Housing Authority of the District of Birmingham and the city’s Division of Youth Services provided free Brother Boxes with “Know Your Rights” cards, ties, formal socks and more to young men ages 13-18.

The Housing Authority of Elgin

COVID-19 won’t slow down The Housing Authority of Elgin! They completed construction on Anthony Place at Prairie Centre – 75 new affordable units for seniors!

Housing Authority of the City of Laurel & Waynesboro Housing Authority

Youth residents from the Housing Authority of the City of Laurel & the Waynesboro Housing Authority received COVID-19 “Pandemic Backpacks” containing masks, hand sanitizer, and school supplies.

Groton Housing Authority

This summer, the Groton Housing Authority and the Eastern Connecticut Community Gardens Association created a fresh produce program to benefit local public housing residents.

Indianapolis Housing Agency

The Indianapolis Housing Agency Board of Commissioners implemented an eviction prevention plan during COVID-19 – “The last thing we want to do is destabilize someone’s housing.”

Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles

As LA kids returned to online schooling, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles partnered with Starry Internet to bring free Chromebooks to Mar Vista families.

Newark Housing Authority

Newark Housing Authority created this video to show how they encouraged Census participation with free food, music, and COVID-19 safety measures.

Jackson Housing Authority

Jackson Housing Authority brought free WiFi to residents in partnership with the county library and the Jackson Energy Authority.

Worcester Housing Authority

The Worcester Housing Authority and UMass Memorial Healthcare help residents prevent the spread of COVID-19 with masks, hand sanitizer, and public health information.

Housing Authority of Cook County

After a power outage, the Housing Authority of Cook County joined forces with Greater Chicago Food Depository to provide free, healthy meals to residents.

Omaha Housing Authority

Omaha Housing Authority worked with community partners to provide free COVID-19 testing, face masks, and water at Jackson Tower.

Housing Authority of the City of Tulsa

The Housing Authority of the City of Tulsa continues building the new River West Community during COVID-19 – in partnership with the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency and the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.

Housing Authority of Travis County

The Housing Authority of Travis County is partnering with BCL of Texas and St. David’s Foundation to help HATC residents impacted by #COVID19. 100 families will receive $400 in financial assistance.

Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh

To bridge the digital divide during COVID-19, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh sent out their Mobile Lab to help residents get online.

Jersey City Housing Authority

Jersey City Housing Authority and their partners at Kismet of Kings & Nimbus Dance provided a free virtual arts summer camp for kids at HA Curries Woods and Booker T Washington.

Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee

The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee and their construction partners at The Alexander Company continue working on Save the Soldiers Home – 101 affordable housing units for homeless and at-risk veterans that will open in 2021.

Fort Wayne Housing Authority

Fort Wayne Housing Authority hosted Lifeline Youth & Family Services as they distributed 400 backpacks to children from Brookhill Court.

Brockton Housing Authority

Brockton Housing Authority partnered with a local vendor to sanitize lobbies, elevators, and common areas with Sterifab during #COVID19.

Atlanta Housing

As COVID-19 continues, Atlanta Housing commits to house 550 families at risk of homelessness through its Haven program and HomeFirst partnership.

Starkville Housing Authority

Starkville Housing Authority brought hot meals, hand sanitizer, and book bags to their residents. “A stress reliever, a meal, I’m just happy that we could provide some type of service.”

St. Louis Housing Authority

To keep residents in their homes during COVID-19, St. Louis Housing Authority extended their eviction moratorium until September 30.

Minneapolis Public Housing Authority

Minneapolis Public Housing Authority will partner will residents on health improvement efforts for 2021 as part of the Highrise Health Alliance.

Chicago Housing Authority

Chicago Housing Authority stays COVID-19 safe while celebrating college-bound students – “Going to college is life-changing… we want to support that.”

Reno Housing Authority

Reno Housing Authority provides new homes for low-income seniors during COVID-19 with 44 new units at Willie J. Wynn Apartments.

Housing Authority of the District of Birmingham

The Housing Authority of the District of Birmingham partnered with Better Basics to create a “Book Nook” for Birmingham children.

Housing Authority of Salt Lake City

The Housing Authority of Salt Lake City delivered COVID-19 care packages to senior residents “because it is the most simple gestures that make the most significant of differences.”

Housing Authority of the City of Austin

Read how the Housing Authority of the City of Austin provided COVID-19 rental assistance to 1,680 families in May and June.

Loveland Housing Authority

During COVID-19, Loveland Housing Authority surveyed community members about future affordable housing development: “There is room to do more, and we are seeking to find out what that could be.”