Roanoke Rising Fall 2020
Roanoke Rising Fall 2020 -COVER
Roanoke RisingFall 2020
Roanoke Rising Fall 2020 (From the CEO) - Page 2
FROM THE CEO
Sharon N. Tolbert, Chief Executive Officer
Goodbye Summer, hello Fall! I hope all are being safe and continuing to adjust as we all navigate through the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Fall 2020 edition of the Roanoke Rising reflects on events from the previous quarter and upcoming events.
The COVID-19 Reopening Plan ("Plan") was implemented on June 30, 2020. The Plan is intended to implement a thorough, thoughtful, and methodical approach to reopening the Roanoke Housing Authority (RHA) to staff, clients and the general public as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Plan outlines the following reopening phases.
Phase One: Assessment/Evaluation
- Administrative staff primarily works remotely.
- Maintenance staff completes emergency work orders and work in vacant units.
- Closed to the public.
Phase Two: Partial Return (Current)
- Administrative staff to alternate between working onsite and remotely.
- Maintenance staff completes emergency work orders and work in vacant units.
- Office open by appointment only.
Phase Three: New Normal
- All staff returns to normal work schedule while abiding by the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) recommendations.
- Work order restriction lifted. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) still required.
- Office opened, but appointments encouraged. Offices will be modified to adhere to CDC recommendations.
Due to the downward trend of COVID-19 cases in Randolph county, RHA transitioned to Phase Two beginning September 21, 2020.
In an effort to better serve our families and to alleviate the administrative burden on staff, the RHA will be implementing various virtual services to include but not limited to online rent payment, electronic lease execution and renewal, online recertification, and virtual resident meetings and workshops. We anticipate implementing virtual services by November 1, 2020; however, the date is subject to change.
I want to thank the RHA's Board of Commissioners for their continued support and dedication. Special thank you to all of our community partners that have assisted with providing services to our residents. As always, I have to commend our staff for their hard work and dedication as we strive to meet the housing needs of our families.
As we enjoy the cool and crisp weather that comes with the Fall season, I ask that you please adhere the CDC's guideline in an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
For more information, please visit our website at www.auburnhousingauth.org and sign up for "News and More" to receive email and text notifications. Also, be sure to connect with us on social media!
Please stay safe,
Sharon N. Tolbert
Roanoke Rising Fall 2020 (Commissioner's Corner) -Page 3
Commissioner's Corner
RHA is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners, representing a cross section of the community and appointed by the Mayor of the City of Roanoke. One member must be a resident of an RHA property or program.
The Commissioners are responsible for overseeing the fiscal management of the agency and approve policies.
The board meetings are held at 5:30 pm on the 2nd Thursday in March, June, September and December. The meeting is held at the Roanoke Housing Authority's Administrative Office located at 231 Avenue A. The meeting date is subject to change.
--
Terry Kennedy,
Chairperson
Paula Lambert,
Vice Chairperson
Michael Watkins,
Commissioner
Tom Staples Jr.,
Commissioner
Sarah Nunn,
Resident Commissioner
---
Upcoming Meetings
Roanoke Housing Authority Board Meeting
Date: March 11, 2021
Time: 5:30pm (CST)
Location: Zoom
Number: 1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 982 2540 9030
Passcode: 105854
Roanoke Rising Fall 2020 (HR & News) -Page 4
We are here to serve you
Birthdays
Carrie Smith
July 19th
Wendy Cochran
August 4th
Charlotte Mattox
August 5th
Bonnie Morgan
August 28th
Matt Robinson
September 3rd
Harvey Maddox
September 29th
Greg Moore
October 7th
Gate Hamel
October 16th
Demetrius Parhams
October 19th
Sharon Tolbert
November 15th
Dennis Cannon
November 20th
AJ Harris
November 22nd
Roanoke Rising Fall 2020 (Resident Info) - Page 5
Census 2020
Why does the census matter to Alabama? It determines funding for many programs that impact you, your family, your schools, and your community. Here are just a few:
Health care programs, including Medicaid
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Head Start
Pell Grants and Student Loans
Highway Planning and Construction
Community Development Block Grants
Complete the survey by October 31st.
Visit my2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020.
Be Counted.
---
FREE Internet Service
Alabama Broadband Connectivity (ABC) for Students, will provide vouchers for families of students currently eligible for free and reduced-price school meals, or other income criteria.
The vouchers will help cover equipment and service costs for high-speed internet service from the fall through Dec. 31, 2020.
Visit the link below for access to the Internet voucher application abcstudents.org.
---
Take Pride in Where You Live!
Here are a few reminders of how you are REQUIRED to do your part to keep YOUR community clean:
- Properly dispose of your trash items. Place them in your assigned trash can.
- Do not allow trash items to accumulate on your porch or yard area.
- Remove inoperable vehicles from the site.
- Do not drive or park on the grass areas. Doing so will result in a lease violation and fines leading up to lease termination/eviction.
- Properly store bicycles and toys so that they are not scattered.
- Place large items such as old sofas, mattresses, etc. by the dumpster or curb ONE day prior to your regularly scheduled pick up day.
- Your trash pick-up day is every Wednesday.
- Position your trash can on the curbside for pick-up so that it is not blocked by vehicles and can be emptied.
- After trash pick-up, place your trash can behind your apartment building.
All rules and policies listed above are in your Apartment Exterior and Grounds Keeping Policy and will be strictly enforced. Failure to comply will result in lease violations, fines, and possible lease termination.
Thank you in advance for doing your part to keep your community clean. If you have any questions, please call, 334-821-2262 ext. 242.
Roanoke Rising Fall 2020 (Vote & Covid19) - Page 6
Are you registered to vote?
Alabama! Are you registered to vote? Do you have a plan to vote in this election? Know your deadlines, register, and make a plan to vote!
Important Alabama Election Dates and Deadlines:
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
Register to Vote Deadlines:
Online: Oct. 19 by 11:59 p.m.
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 19
In-person: Oct. 19 by close of business
Alabama does not offer an early voting period. If you will be unable to vote in person on Election Day, you can request an absentee ballot by mail or by visiting your local election office.
Absentee Ballot Deadlines:
Request: Oct. 29 by close of business
Return by Mail: Postmarked by Nov. 2
Return in person: Nov. 2 by 5:00 p.m.
Register to vote, update your registration or locate your polling by visiting this link: alabamavotes.gov
---
Covid-19
If you leave home know your w's
-Wear Mask
-Wash Hands
-Wait 6ft. apart
Free Covid-19 Testing for All Residents
October 27th & 28th
Please register by contacting Residents Services Coordinator Charlotte Mattox at 334-821-2262 ext. 230 or via e-mail at cmattox@auburnhousingauth.org by October 19th.
Testing to be conducted by Main Street Family Care.
Roanoke Rising Fall 2020 (Apples) - Page 7
Apples, Apples, Apples!
We appreciate the recent donation of apples from the Food Bank of East Alabama. These apples will be a source of healthy nutrition for the families we serve.
Did You Know that Eating Apples Can Help:
- Aid in Weight Loss
- Lower Risk of Heart Disease
- Lower Risk of Diabetes
- Prevent Cancer
- Keep Alzheimer's Away
- Reduce Cholesterol
- Fight Asthma
- Promote Good Bone Health
- Beat Diarrhea and Constipation
- Prevent Stomach Injury
- Detoxify your liver
- Protect Your Brain
These health benefits are sure to have you eating more apples!
Roanoke Rising Fall 2020 (Resident News) - Page 8
Rent PaymentRHA Rent: Rent is due the 1st of each month, late after the 6th. If the last day to pay rent falls upon a day the Authority is closed (weekend or holiday) then residents have the next business day to pay rent. If rent is late 14 days, the resident may be in jeopardy of being evicted. Please pay your rent on time to eliminate late fees and possible eviction! Rent Payment Drop Box is available at the Avenue A Administrative Office Mondays & Wednesdays from 8am to 1pm and Tuesdays & Thursdays from 1pm to 6pm until further notice.
Rental Insurance
Residents are encouraged to obtain rental insurance. Rental insurance helps to protect your belongings after a covered loss.--
Maintenance
An emergency work order will be completed and mitigated within twenty-four (24) hours. If a situation is determined to not be an emergency, the resident will be informed that the request will be considered as "any other resident work order request". Normal work orders will be resolved within 3 business days. Emergency Work Orders are when the situation constitutes a serious threat to the life, safety or health of resident(s) or staff; or the situation will cause serious damage to the property, property structure or systems if not repaired within twenty-four (24) hours. Examples of a work order emergency are:-Broken exterior door lock
-Fire
-Loss of power - mechanical failure
-Broken water line
-Loose or falling ceiling
-No A/C (when the outside temperature is 90 degrees or above)
-No Heat (when the outside temperature is less than 35 degrees)
Routine Maintenance Work Orders:
(334) 863-4513
Emergency AFTER hours Work Orders:
(334) 321-7525
For Police and Fire Emergencies dial 911
--
Smoking Policy
Smoking is NOT permitted inside the unit. See the Smoke-Free Policy that's included as an addendum to your lease for more information.---
Now Scheduling Appointments!Due to the ongoing effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 we will be seeing residents by appointment only. Walk-ins are not permitted.
To schedule an appointment:
RHA
Property Management
334-863-4513
Mondays & Wednesdays 8 am to 1 pm
Tuesdays & Thursdays 1 pm to 6 pm
---
Things to Come:
Resident Supply Bags (November 2020)
School Supply Give-Away (November 2020)
Online Payments (November 2020)
Free Resident Internet (January 2021)
Compliance Cameras (Coming 2021)
Dates Subject to Change.
---
"Zooming with the CEO & Staff" -The purpose of this call is to provide time for questions and answers between staff and residents. For more information contact AJ Harris by phone at 334-821-2262 ext. 242 or by e-mail at ajharris@auburnhousingauth.org.