Board of Commissioners Works to Keep Residents in Their Homes & Avoid Eviction During Pandemic

Now that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's eviction moratorium has been lifted, many Columbia Housing residents might be concerned about housing stability. The Board of Commissioners wants to make it clear to its 16,000+ residents that the Agency is committed to help them to avoid eviction. On September 8, 2021, Commissioners passed a Resolution to that effect: RESOLUTION 2021-050: Adoption of Comprehensive Actions to Ensure Residents Remain Housed During the COVID-19 Pandemic

''We want our residents to know we want to keep them in their homes, says Board Chair Ernest Cromartie. "The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts on Columbia Housing families. Many tenants have lost jobs or had their hours cut and are concerned about how they will pay rent and cover other basic needs. We've been working since April of 2020 to find creative ways to ease their burden," concludes Cromartie.

Columbia Housing has worked to waive federally required administrative policies to verify loss of income during the COVID-19 crisis. Instead, Columbia Housing made it much easier to report loss of income by simply completing a fillable form or sending an email to covid19@columbiahousingsc.org. This allowed the agency to reduce residents' income-based rental fees more quickly. Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, Columbia Housing processed over 2,500 rent changes accounting for approximately 40% of the families served.

Columbia Housing will continue to allow Public Housing residents and Housing Choice Voucher participants to report loss of income more easily through one of the following methods:

1. Complete a fillable form
   • Housing Choice Voucher Program Participants
   • Public Housing Residents
2. Send an e-mail to covid19@columbiahousingsc.org
3. Call 803-251-2747 and verbally report the loss of income

Resolution passed by the Board of Commissioners at Columbia Housing on September 8, 2021:

RESOLUTION 2020-050: Adoption of Comprehensive Action to Ensure Families Remain Housed During the COVID-19 Pandemic

WHEREAS, Columbia Housing's Board of Commissioners formally adopts the actions taken by staff to ensure families remain housed during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Columbia, SC, approves the adoption of the Resolution 2021-050: Adoption of Comprehensive Action to Ensure Families Remain Housed During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The 8th day of September 2021

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA, SC

BY: Ernest W. Cromartie, III, Chairman

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