COVID-19 - Tulsa Housing Authority

January 13, 2022

Updated Tulsa Housing Authority COVID-19 Protocol

In our continuing effort to keep our residents, team members, visitors and community healthy and safe, and in light of the rapidly rising rates of COVID-19 in Tulsa and surrounding communities, Tulsa Housing Authority is implementing the following protocols:

Beginning Tuesday, January 18 (our offices are closed on Monday, January 17 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day) through Friday, January 21, all Tulsa Housing Authority offices will be closed and all employees will be working remotely, except in the following circumstances:
- On Wednesday, January 19, THA Central Office will be open ONLY to those with existing housing voucher appointments. Participants must enter through the main lobby door and must be wearing a facemask (facemasks will be provided for anyone that does not have one).
In summary:
- Monday, January 17: All THA offices closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Tuesday, January 18: All THA offices closed due to COVID-19 protocol
- Wednesday, January 19: THA Central Office lobby open ONLY to those with previously scheduled housing voucher appointments
- Thursday, January 20: All THA offices and lobby closed due to COVID-19 protocol
- Friday, January 21: All THA offices and lobby closed due to COVID-19 protocol
All THA property management offices will be closed Monday, January 17 – Friday, January 21. Signage will be posted on the office door with contact information for any residents needing to speak with their property management or emergency maintenance staff.
HQS inspections will continue as scheduled.
All THA employees will be available via email. To email a THA employee, use the following format: First Name.Last Name@tulsahousing.org (example: Jane.Doe@tulsahousing.org).
- You can find a contact list by department here: tulsahousing.org/contact/
Our phone system will continue to be functional, so if you need to call our main line, you can do so at 918-582-0021. Information can also be found on our website, tulsahousing.org.
If it is determined that staff should continue to work remotely and offices remain closed beyond Friday, January 21, we will communicate that to residents and visitors.

November 9, 2020

On November 9, 2020, Tulsa Housing Authority became aware of a resident of LaFortune Tower who has tested positive for COVID-19. Residents of LaFortune Tower were notified via this communication which was distributed November 9, 2020.

THA is sanitizing areas of high traffic (entrance and exit, elevator area, etc.) and continuing to encourage residents to self-monitor for symptoms. Residents are encouraged, though not required, to report to their property manager if they test positive for COVID-19 to allow THA to take the necessary steps to protect residents, staff and essential visitors.

Common areas at all properties remain closed and visitor restrictions remain in place.

October 13, 2020

On July 14, 2020, Tulsa Housing Authority became aware of a resident of Inhofe Plaza who has tested positive for COVID-19. Residents of Inhofe Plaza were notified via this communication which was distributed October 13, 2020.

Common areas at all properties remain closed and visitor restrictions remain in place.

September 17, 2020

For information on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)’s eviction moratorium and the associated Tenant Declaration Form, see the documents below:

CDC Eviction Moratorium Info – English

CDC Eviction Moratorium Info – Spanish

Tenant Declaration Form – English

Tenant Declaration Form – Spanish

July 14, 2020

On July 14, 2020, Tulsa Housing Authority became aware of a resident of Murdock Villa who has tested positive for COVID-19. Residents of Murdock Villa were notified via this communication which was distributed July 14, 2020.

Common areas at all properties remain closed and visitor restrictions remain in place.

May 26, 2020

The Tulsa Area United Way has issued COVID-19 relief funds for Housing Choice Voucher holders, Project-Based Voucher holders and residents of Tulsa Housing Authority Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Project-Based Voucher properties with a maximum benefit of $1,000.

Have you experienced a job loss or reduction in hours as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic? You may be eligible for rent relief funds provided by the Tulsa Area United Way and administered by the Tulsa Housing Authority.

To qualify:

· You must be a participant of the Housing Choice Voucher or Project-Based Voucher Program or reside at a Tulsa Housing Authority RAD-PBV property.

· You must have experienced a job loss or reduction of hours due to the COVID19 pandemic.

· You must be able to provide documentation of the job loss or reduction of hours from your employer and provide documentation from your landlord that rent for April, May or June is owed.

Requests will be handled on a first come first served basis.

To find out if you qualify, contact:

Tanya Ratliff at 918-581-5757 or tanya.ratliff@tulsahousing.org

Tuesday Johnson at 918-581-5785 or tuesday.johnson@tulsahousing.org

April 29, 2020

The health, safety and well-being of our residents continue to be the top priority for all of us at the Housing Authority of the City of Tulsa (THA). While certain portions of our city may reopen based on Mayor Bynum and Governor Stitt’s phased reopening plan, we understand that the times remain challenging for many, particularly our residents.

We hope that the waiver of both April and May’s rent payments, along with the waiver of late fees, was helpful to residents and their families. We have assessed the financial impact to our organization of further waiving rent and have determined that we must begin collecting rent from all residents beginning in June 2020. All THA residents are expected to pay rent for the month of June. June’s rent payments should be placed in the property’s drop box; if residents have questions about where to locate the drop box for their property, they should contact their property manager for assistance.

We realize that some residents may still be experiencing financial hardship. If any resident anticipates having difficulty paying June’s rent, they should reach out to their property manager as soon as possible to discuss options for payment.

To continue to protect the health and safety of our staff and residents, common areas at all THA properties will remain closed through at least May 31. Our central office (415 E. Independence St.) will also remain closed through May 31. During this closure, residents should call their property manager, social service coordinator or our main phone line (918-582-0021) with questions or concerns. Our staff is also still available via email.

We will continue to update you as new developments arise. Residents are encouraged to continue to follow the guidance we’ve shared to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy.

April 17, 2020

As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law 116-136), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is waiving and establishing alternative requirements for several entities and programs, including the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs. For more information on these waivers, click here. To see which waivers the Housing Authority of the City of Tulsa (THA) is taking advantage of, click here.

April 15, 2020

To help ease some of the financial burden our residents are experiencing during this time, THA is waiving rent for the month of May for residents of THA public housing properties and Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) properties. This includes residents of Apache Manor, Comanche Park, East Central Village, Hewgley Terrace, Inhofe Plaza, LaFortune Tower, The Meadows, Mohawk Manor, Murdock Villa, Parkview Terrace, Pioneer Plaza, Riverview Park, Sandy Park, Seminole Hills/Whitlow, South Haven Manor, Scattered Sites and Towne Square. Residents of THA properties will be receiving this notice.

Housing Choice Voucher holders/Section 8 participants are expected to pay rent for the month of May. As Tulsa Housing Authority does not own or operate these private residences, we do not have authority to waive rent at these properties for residents with vouchers. If Housing Choice Voucher holders/Section 8 participants have any questions or concerns, they should speak with their landlord.

April 7, 2020

On April 6, 2020, Tulsa Housing Authority became aware of a resident of Murdock Villa who has tested positive for COVID-19. Residents of Murdock Villa were notified via this communication which was distributed April 7, 2020.

Common areas at all properties remain closed and visitor restrictions remain in place.

April 2, 2020

On April 2, 2020, Tulsa Housing Authority became aware of a resident of Inhofe Plaza who has tested positive for COVID-19. This individual had been in high traffic areas including the lobby and elevator. Residents of Inhofe Plaza were notified via this communication which was distributed April 2, 2020.

THA is sanitizing those areas and continuing to encourage residents to self-monitor for symptoms. Residents are encouraged, though not required, to report to their property manager if they test positive for COVID-19 to allow THA to take the necessary steps to protect residents, staff and essential visitors.

Common areas at all properties remain closed and visitor restrictions remain in place.

March 25, 2020

Update for Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 landlords:

Currently, Tulsa Housing Authority is only moving forward with new move in and emergency inspections for HCV/Section 8 properties. If a tenant moves into a unit prior to the unit passing inspection, the tenant will be responsible for the full rent amount as THA cannot pay subsidy on a unit that has not passed HQS inspection. Essential staff are processing RFTAs as they are received, however, please expect delays due to limited staff.

Please contact the tenant’s Housing Coordinator for specific questions regarding your tenant or unit.

HAP payments are still being processed as scheduled for the April 1 check cut.

March 19, 2020

To further clarify the waiver of rent payments for the month of April:

Rent payments are waived for the month of April 2020 for residents of THA properties. Those properties include Apache Manor, Comanche Park, East Central Village, Hewgley Terrace, Inhofe Plaza, LaFortune Tower, The Meadows, Mohawk Manor, Murdock Villa, Parkview Terrace, Pioneer Plaza, Riverview Park, Sandy Park, Seminole Hills/Whitlow, South Haven Manor, Scattered Sites and Towne Square.
Housing Choice Voucher holders/Section 8 participants are expected to pay rent for the month of April. As Tulsa Housing Authority does not own or operate these private residences, we do not have authority to waive rent at these properties for residents with vouchers. If Housing Choice Voucher holders/Section 8 participants have any questions or concerns, they should speak with their landlord.

March 17, 2020

There are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at any THA property.

To help ease the financial burden of our residents, April rent payments are waived for residents of Tulsa Housing Authority properties. Late fees for the month of March have also been waived for residents of THA properties.

Additionally, evictions of residents of THA properties will be limited to those that pose a threat to health and safety; no evictions will be due to non-payment of rent at this time.

In addition to the closure of common areas and property management offices at THA properties, we have instituted visitor restrictions, limiting visitor access at our properties to only those who are essential to the health and well-being of a resident.

Effective March 18, 2020, THA offices are closed to anyone other than employees whose job functions must be performed at our central office. All other employees will be working remotely. This change is in effect through at least March 31, 2020.

Residents with questions or concerns may call their property manager, social service coordinator, after hours maintenance request line or the main THA phone line. Anyone else with a question should call our main THA phone line at (918) 582-0021. THA staff will still be available by email if you need to email a team member directly.

March 16, 2020

In addition to the steps outlined in the March 11, 2020 update below, the Housing Authority of the City of Tulsa (THA) is implementing the following in response to COVID-19 (coronavirus):

General Updates

There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 present at any THA property.
Effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, THA’s central office (located at 415 E. Independence St.) will be closed to external visitors/non-employees.

THA Residents

In addition to the common areas at our properties closing, we are closing the property management offices at all THA properties effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020. While property management offices remain closed:
- Call your property manager if you have an emergent maintenance request
- Call the after-hours maintenance phone line with any after-hours emergent maintenance requests
- Residents are to place their rent payment in the drop box at your property; a receipt will be attached to their tenant file once their rent is processed. You may call your property manager to request a receipt be mailed to you.
- Because of the current disruption to daily activities and the inability for many to work normally, THA will waive late fees for the months of March and April 2020. All THA residents are still expected to pay rent.
For residents experiencing severe emotional distress, we encourage they call the Disaster Distress Hotline at 1-800-985-5990.
If any THA resident is confirmed to have COVID-19, or is experiencing the symptoms related to the virus, they are asked to consider voluntarily notifying their property manager by phone quickly. In keeping with HIPAA and other healthcare policies you are not required to do so, but we ask that for the safety of our residents and staff you make us aware of your diagnosis by calling your property manager.

THA Employees

THA has developed and distributed comprehensive COVID-19-specific protocols to all staff members.
Employees have been instructed on the necessary steps to take when returning from travel or if they are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 to ensure the health and safety of fellow employees and residents.

March 11, 2020

The Housing Authority of the City of Tulsa (THA) serves more than 20,000 Tulsans, many of whom are elderly or have physical challenges that would make them more susceptible to communicable disease. The health and safety of all of our residents is paramount and is at the core of our mission.

We have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation both locally and nationally, looking to health professionals and impacted housing authorities for best practices to prevent the spread of the virus. At this time, according to the Tulsa Health Department, there are two cases of COVID-19 (one confirmed, one a presumptive positive) in Tulsa County and neither case has been linked to a Tulsa Housing Authority property, resident or employee.

THA is taking the following measures in response to COVID-19:

Until further notice, all common areas at all THA properties will be closed to limit gathering and practice social distancing. This includes community centers and other communal areas; however, laundry facilities will remain open. All common spaces will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before they are closed and will be cleaned and disinfected once they are reopened. We encourage our residents who take advantage of laundry facilities to practice social distancing and maintain at least six feet of distance between themselves and others while utilizing the facility.
To maintain operations and service to our residents and potential residents, the lobby area of our central office (415 E. Independence St.) will remain open. The lobby will be disinfected frequently and our staff will encourage social distancing while individuals are in the lobby area.
THA is limiting all gatherings that cannot accommodate the six feet of distance recommended by health professionals. We are cancelling events that cannot follow this protocol and will notify all who may be impacted.
Residents who experience symptoms are encouraged to contact their health care provider; for those without an established primary care provider relationship we are providing alternate resources for them to take advantage of.
If a resident or employee of THA contracts COVID-19 we will work with our local and state health departments to respond in a manner that best mitigates the spread of the virus.

We are grateful to the Tulsa Health Department, Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for their comprehensive response to this issue. For information on COVID-19, please visit tulsa-health.org/COVID19.