COVID-19 Updates | Housing Authority City Of Austin

REOPENING OF HACA OFFICES

HACA’s offices are open to assist residents and the public in need of in person assistance. We do encourage residents to call their specific property management staff in advance to schedule a time to meet. For the public in need of assistance from HACA central office, please call (512) 477-4488.

ARE YOU A HACA Resident or client?

If you are a HACA resident and have questions or concerns, HACA has created a Resident and Client Support Center to help. The Support Center can help find assistance, answer questions, and provide a friendly ear. Monday through Friday, from 8am - 5pm, residents and clients can call (512)588-8298 or email residentsupport@hacanet.org.

Rent remains due for all haca residents and voucher holders

HACA understands that residents may encounter difficult circumstances due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic and disaster declarations. We will continue to work with residents to discuss changes in income and alternative arrangements for pay, and wants to work with you to resolve issues and assist you through this difficult time.

Please contact the office immediately to discuss your rent, income and payment arrangements. HACA is committed to helping residents through these challenging times but cannot do so without your cooperation. It is very important that you communicate with HACA about your failure to pay rent within five (5) days of this letter.

Summary of HACA's Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waivers and Alternative Requirements

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a series of waivers and program updates for the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs that ease many program requirements to enable HACA to continue operations in light of COVID-19 and the problems the virus poses to providing services in a safe manner.

All waivers are effective as of April 10, 2020 and may be adopted or revert to the standard program rules at any time during the period of availability noted in this document. This document indicates the waivers that HACA has determined may be adopted as needed to continue to operate and provide critical housing services to our community. View the document HERE.

Revised HACA HCV AdminISTRATIVE Plan

IMPLEMENTED ACTIONS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING/PBRA RESIDENTS

Effective Wednesday, March 18, and until further notice, HACA will implement the following precautions to protect its residents and staff:

Closure of all property management offices and community rooms, including computer labs; residents should email or call the property office
Suspension of all resident community development programs to include Resident Council and Youth programs
Suspension of routine work orders
Suspension of housekeeping inspections
Suspension of evictions for non-criminal activity only
Emergency work orders may require additional troubleshooting via phone calls
Existing repayment agreements will be extended if the household has a decrease in income
Rent payments should be made either through onsite rent payment drop box or by mail
All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or dwelling unit is prohibited, with exception to essential activities and essential work or members of a household or dwelling unit

Residents are encouraged to visit HACA’s website for the latest updates at www.hacanet.org/covid-19-updates, or follow HACA’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Residents with questions should call their property manager or community development specialist from the phone list of properties found HERE.

IMPLEMENTED ACTIONS FOR HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER (SECTION 8) RESIDENTS

Effective Wednesday, March 18, and until further notice, HACA will implement the following precautions to protect its residents and staff:

Closure of the lobby; clients should email or call
Landlord payments will continue to be processed
Initial Inspections will continue for new units that are vacant
HACA is implementing a virtual inspection process for initial inspections
Annual re-certifications will be conducted by mail, email or phone
Interim changes will be conducted by mail, email or phone
Suspension of annual inspections
Owners/Landlords submit owner/management changes and address changes to Criselda Sanchez thru email, criseldas@hacanet.org
Owners/Landlords that have available units to lease please list units on www.gosection8.com

Residents are encouraged to visit HACA’s website for the latest updates at www.hacanet.org/covid-19-updates, or follow HACA’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Residents can view a phone list of HCV staff found HERE.

COMMONLY USED FORMS

RAD PROJECT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE (PBRA) HOUSING FORMS

Forms for residents to report changes:

Reasonable Accommodation Request forms:

VAWA forms:

Forms for residents to complete annual recertification:

Forms to assist with completing change requests and annual recertifications:

Other forms:

ADMISSIONS Forms

INSTRUCTIONS for Using Forms

Download the HACA forms on your computer in order for them to be fillable. Do not open them in your browser.
If you don’t have ADOBE READER, please download it (HERE) and install it on your computer
Complete the form on your desktop, and digitally sign the forms if needed, and save.
Send an email to your HACA Eligibility Specialist or staff and attach the form to the email.

Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Forms

Other Resources:

Get daily updates and follow haca on social media:

More information:

COVID-19, also called the coronavirus, is a serious viral disease that can spread and impact all residents. HACA staff will be monitoring the situation closely, and will pass along information as it becomes available. You can also stay up to the minute by following HACA on Facebook and Twitter. HACA will provide information, but for any medical questions or guidance, please contact your doctor or healthcare provider. If you do not have a doctor or health insurance, you can call 2-1-1 for help finding now or low-cost medical help. Visit www.CDC.gov for more. For emergencies, call 9-1-1.