WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $7,439,795 in COVID-19 relief funding will go toward Public Housing Authorities in Missouri.
The money can be used for personal protective equipment, childcare costs, travel costs associated with undergoing testing and other expenses related to COVID-19, according to a news release from HUD.
“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," said HUD Secretary Carson.
For a list of all PHA across the country receiving funding, click here.
“Public Housing Authorities are incurring additional costs to support residents during this health crisis,” added Regional Administrator Jason Mohr. “These funds will help housing authorities in Missouri to further ensure the safety of their residents.”
The money can go toward the following, according to the release:
Prepare for a Coronavirus Outbreak
- Creation or update of infectious disease outbreak plan;
- Sourcing and purchasing personal protective equipment for PHA staff;
- Coordination with providers of services needed to support residents as a result of coronavirus, including cost of delivery of goods, supplies, and equipment;
- Coordination with local health service providers for activities, including: the development or provision of guidance to staff or residents, travel for testing, or other reasons related to coronavirus;
- 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), to the extent they would not have incurred otherwise; and
- Other reasonable expenses related to preparing for the coronavirus.
Prevent a Coronavirus Outbreak
- 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;
- Direct costs related to limiting the spread of the coronavirus, including travel costs for testing or other preventive health measures related to coronavirus;
- Expenses of isolating people suspected of being exposed or those at high-risk of serious complications if infected (e.g., elderly residents and residents with underlying conditions);
- Costs of protecting residents (particularly high-risk residents) from exposure from interaction with PHA staff and vice versa; and
- Payment of salaries of PHA staff unable to work because of the coronavirus public health restrictions (e.g., office management staff who cannot go into the office and cannot perform work remotely, or payment of full salaries of PHA staff forced to work part-time because of lack of child care).
Respond to a Coronavirus Outbreak
- Expenses of caring for PHA staff and residents who have tested positive, but do not require immediate hospitalization, including:
- Payment for increases in sick leave allowances for PHA staff;
- Physical, personnel or security costs incurred to limit movement;
- Costs to safely transport residents that tested positive to a quarantine facility; and
- Costs of supporting residents in quarantine such as 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.
- Other reasonable expenses incurred while responding to the coronavirus.
