AMHA Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) For Residents

The Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA+) cares about the health and wellness of our residents, staff, and partners. To ensure that we are taking the necessary precautions regarding novel coronavirus (COVID-19), we are monitoring information provided to us by our local public health officials and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). We will provide periodic agency updates or status changes at www.akronhousing.org if and when more information becomes available.

AMHA is taking extra precautionary measures to ensure the wellbeing of our residents and staff by limiting in-person interactions as recommended by the CDC, and we ask that you do the same.  Due to some of these changes, you will experience some changes to the level of services you have previously received; however, please know we are doing the best that we can to continue to serve you. We encourage you to be informed and take the necessary precautionary measures for yourself and for your neighbors.       

Residents are encouraged to call AMHA’s Emergency Planning & Resident Hotline at 330-376-9908 for the latest information.

Please visit the AMHA Resident FAQ to see a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. 

Current AMHA Status:

Please note, AMHA’s status has been updated to reflect our current response to the CDC’s recommendation for Summit County effective 8/4/2021. Despite this, many of our restrictions and precautions will remain in place until further notice.  (Updated August 4, 2021)

Work Order Requests.  Effective April 5, 2021 maintenance will complete all work orders.  Maintenance staff must wear face coverings while completing work in units and residents will need to remain away from the area where work is being completed.

• Residents may use the lobbies, computer rooms, libraries, and billiard rooms (as applicable per building). Chairs and furniture will be placed based on social distancing requirements at least six feet apart. Please do not move furniture.      
• Computers may have signs placed as ‘unavailable’ in order to provide adequate space between users. Residents are encouraged and reminded to wear face masks when in these areas. 
• Some partner services, such as the Library book mobile, may be restored in July based on meeting social distancing protocols. 
• Community Rooms will remain closed until further notice, including community room rentals and other events involving large gatherings.
• Facial Covering Required. See Facial Covering Statement below for more information. 

• No Walk-ins.  Walk-ins are not permitted at all AMHA locations.
• Appointments. Effective June 1^st in-person meetings will begin by appointment only.  You will be asked to wear a face covering.  If you do not have one, one will be provided to you when you arrive. If you are unable to wear a mask or you or someone else in your home have been sick, you will be asked to reschedule or make other arrangements in order to complete the appointment. 
• Recertifications.  Effective March 23rd all recertifications will be completed through mail and email.
• Income Changes.  Immediately report any income changes (increase or decrease) to your property management office or recertification specialist even if you have applied for/are receiving unemployment benefits or began new employment.  You may report income changes online by visiting our website at www.akronhousing.org and submitting the online form.
• Turning In Paperwork. Paperwork being returned to Central Office can be left in the dropbox outside of the main office. Please write who the paperwork needs to be delivered to on the envelope before placing it in the box.
• Cleaning. We have increased the frequency and scope of cleaning that occurs at the properties and our offices.  All common spaces and frequently touched spaces are disinfected twice daily and on Saturdays.  
• Rent Payment.  Please pay rent online at www.akronhousing.org; or mail your rent to the address in your rent statement.
• Community Rooms Closed.  All AMHA Community Rooms remain closed until further notice.
• Limit Visitors.  Limit visitors to your unit and the building to those that are essential for health and safety reasons.

Resident Services Updates

• Effective June 1st, Parents as Teachers, SPARK, and Service Coordination home visits and face-to-face appointments will resume on a case by case basis. Staff and program participants are required to wear face coverings. If a program participant does not have a face covering, one will be given to them.  Virtual or phone appointments continue to be highly encouraged. Call your coordinator to set up an appointment.
• Effective July 1st, The Reach Opportunity Center at Summit Lake is open to the public operating under AMHA COVID policies.

Update from AMHA Interim Executive Director, Debbie Barry, to the community. 

Facial Covering Statement

Due to Summit County’s Coronavirus Transmission status moving to substantial spread and the CDC strongly recommending indoor face mask wearing for all residents of Summit County regardless of vaccination status,  effective Thursday, August 5, 2021, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority will be returning to our previous practices and policy on face coverings to ensure a safe environment for all staff and residents. 

• All staff and residents in common areas within all AMHA properties including the Central Office, Service Center and Reach Opportunity Center will be required to wear a face covering. 
• Staff and residents will not be required to face coverings outdoors. 
• Residents will not be required to wear a face covering within their home; however, will be asked to leave the room when maintenance staff are performing any maintenance work in the unit.
• AMHA staff and residents are still required to wear a face covering during home visits and one on one appointments, maintain social distancing, frequently wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and as always watch out for any symptoms of COVID-19. If you have fever, cough, or other signs of COVID-19, you are encouraged to stay home and away from others.

Again, our primary concern is the protection of our residents and our employees.  Thank you all for being so patient and understanding during this unprecedented time.  We will continue to monitor and keep you posted.  If you need disposable masks, please contact your Property Manager. 

Face coverings are mandatory:

• In common areas of properties owned and operated by Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, including hallways, stairways, elevators and lobbies”

I'm Fully Vaccinated, Now What?

People are considered "Fully Vaccinated" 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

If You Are "Fully Vaccinated"

• Continue to wear a mask that fits snugly against the sides of your face and doesn’t have gaps whenever you are:

1. In indoor public settings
2. Gathering indoors with unvaccinated people (including children) from more than one other household
3. Visiting indoors with an unvaccinated person who is at increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 or who lives with a person at increased risk

• Continue to avoid indoor large gatherings.
• If you travel, you should still take steps to protect yourself and others. You will still be required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. 
• Continue to watch out for symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you’ve been around someone who is sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested and stay home and away from others.
• You will still need to follow guidance at your workplace.

AMHA policies on mask-usage and social distancing are still in place to keep all residents safe.

If you have a condition or are taking medications that weaken your immune system, you may NOT be fully protected even if you are fully vaccinated. Talk to your healthcare provider. Even after vaccination, you may need to continue taking ALL COVID-19 precautions.

More Information
    Information provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). For more information on this information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html

United Way 2-1-1

Simply dial 2-1-1 on any phone to speak to a trained professional, or text your zip code to 898-211 for referrals to utilities and food pantries.

The service is free and confidential and is offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 2-1-1 has information on over 16,203 different services for Summit County residents, including supplemental food and nutrition programs, substance abuse treatment, disaster services and more.

COVID-19 Technology Resource Guide

As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to impact our community, ConnectHome Akron is working to make sure that even while we're apart, we're still connected. We have compiled a guide to technology resources in the Akron-area.

The Guide Includes:

• Internet Deal Look-up Tool
• Free Internet Application
• Internet/phone bill assistance
• Public Wi-Fi Map
• and MORE!