HUD to allocate $6.7 million to protect Oklahoma public housing residents

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — HUD will allocate $6,707,169 in COVID-19 relief funding to help low-income Americans in Oklahoma who live in public housing, announced the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson.

The funding, made available by the CARES Act legislation President Trump signed into law on March 27, 2020, will be awarded to 102 Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in Oklahoma.

“As a result of President Trump’s strong leadership, we were able to secure necessary funding through the CARES Act to help keep Americans living in public housing safe through these unprecedented times,” said Secretary Carson. “HUD has worked hard to ensure that these funds will reach public housing authorities quickly and efficiently, so they are well equipped to protect their residents and staff as we all work together as a nation to combat this invisible enemy.”

The funds will be allocated through the Public Housing Operating Fund and can be used by public housing authorities to:

Prepare for a Coronavirus Outbreak by:

• Creating or updating infectious disease outbreak plans.
• Sourcing and purchasing personal protective equipment for PHA staff;
• Coordinating with providers of services needed to support residents, including the costs of delivery for goods, supplies and equipment;
• Coordinating with local health service providers in developing or providing guidance to staff or residents; travel for testing; or other reasons related to coronavirus
• Paying for childcare costs for residents so that they can continue to work, and childcare costs for staff performing essential functions (as defined at the state/local level)

Prevent a Coronavirus Outbreak by paying for:

• Costs related to maintaining adequate social distancing, including modifying or limiting access to communal spaces; increasing service hours to prevent crowding in waiting areas; or any other costs incurred to ensure adequate distance among staff and residents;
• Costs of delivering supplies so that staff or residents can shelter in place, thereby reducing exposure to the greatest number of people;
• Costs related to limiting the spread of the coronavirus, including travel costs for testing or other preventive health measures related to coronavirus
• Expenses for isolating people suspected of being exposed or those at high-risk of serious complications if infected;
• Costs of protecting residents (particularly high-risk residents) from exposure from interaction with PHA staff and vice versa; and
• Salaries of PHA staff who are unable to work because of coronavirus public health restrictions

Respond to a Coronavirus Outbreak by paying for:

• Expenses of caring for PHA staff and residents who have tested positive, but do not require immediate hospitalization, including increases in sick leave allowances for PHA staff
• Physical, personnel, or security costs incurred to limit movement;
• Costs to safely transport residents who have tested positive to a quarantine facility;
• Costs of supporting residents in quarantine with health-related supplies (e.g., masks and cleaning supplies).
• Expenses to safely transport residents/staff in need of medical attention;
• Expenses incurred because of coronavirus restrictions impacting PHA operations (e.g., paying for transportation expenses for PHA staff who rely on public transit that is no longer available);
• Costs to facilitate and coordinate with local schools and local governments receiving funds from the Department of Education for the education of students in public housing households:
• Internet connection infrastructure; and
• Tablets or other low-cost computers for students

In addition to the funding, HUD is announcing that PHAs may use Operating Funds and Capital Funds provided through prior Acts, for eligible Operating Fund and Capital Fund activities, or for coronavirus purposes.