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Monthly Archives: March 2020

Legal Aid Society: Update on Our Services and New COVID-19 Resources

Legal Aid Society

We understand that this can be a confusing and challenging time for many as we all navigate our way through this pandemic. So we want you to know that the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York is still here for our community.  We will have to close our doors and work from home, per the Governor of the State of New York’s request, effective Monday, March 23, 2020 at 9:00 a.m., however, our work will still continue, and we will all be reachable by phone.

We can be reached at the local and toll free numbers for the following offices: Albany, AmsterdamCantonPlattsburgh and Saratoga Springs.

We are taking the extraordinary step of maintaining phone access because we know that our legal services are essential to the low income community’s response to COVID-19 issues.

We ask that you please assist us in publicizing this change in services and our “Did you know?” legal updates broadly on your websites and on your social media channels so that clients, as well as the private bar, know that we are to help. We also have a  new web page, LASNNY COVID-19 “What you should know” , that will be updated regularly.

Support staff will be working remotely to manage new intakes or requests for assistance, and to put clients in touch with intake specialists and case handlers. We will also continue to make referrals for callers who we cannot assist.

Again, we are posting legal information about the response to COVID-19 on our website for anyone to review and reference, www.lasnny.org, and we ask that you direct  people in need of our services to our website.

The community we serve is particularly vulnerable to the economic impact of this pandemic and Legal Aid must continue to play its important role during and after the crises.

Stay home, stay safe, and flatten the curve.

Sincerely,
Lillian M Moy

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Information about Affordable Internet Offers, Low-Cost Devices, and Learning Content to Assist During COVID-19

FREE OR LOW-COST INTERNET SERVICE AND OTHER RELATED RESOURCES (DEVICES AND CONTENT) THAT CAN ASSIST HUD-ASSISTED RESIDENTS DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS*

I. National Locator Tool for Low-Cost Internet Service Offers: everyoneon.org/find-offers.

  • Provided by HUD’s nonprofit partner, EveryoneOn, the locator is easy to use. Users simply type in their zip codes and answer a few questions to determine eligibility for low-cost offers by the major Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
  • The site has been updated to reflect new offers many ISPs have made to help ensure connectivity for low-income Americans during the COVID-19 outbreak.

A. COVID-19 Updates to Specific Low-Cost Internet Service Offers. Featured below is a list of the major ISPs, their low-cost offers, and specific updates to their offers made in response to the Federal Communication Commission’s “Keep Americans Connected” pledge which was designed to help all Americans stay connected to the Internet during the COVID-19 crisis.

  1. AT&T’s “Access by AT&T.” Available in 21 states.  One family member must be eligible for SNAP.
  2. Charter Communications’ low-cost offer is “Spectrum Internet Assist” and is based on eligibility for the National School Lunch Program.
    • COVID-19 response: Charter is now offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have service through Spectrum. To enroll, call 1-844-488-8395. Installations fees are waived. There are no data caps.
    • For more information go to: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-TjZ8yN2VKMFbhaoG_FIquGgyCD4aSPS/view.
  3. Comcast’s low cost offerInternet Essentials is available to any low-income American.
    • COVID-19 Response: Internet Essentials will be free to new customers. New customers will receive 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month.
    • Additionally, for all new and existing Internet Essentials customers, the speed of the program’s Internet service was increased to 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream. That increase will go into effect for no additional fee and it will become the new base speed for the program going forward.
    • Xfinity WiFi Free for Everyone: Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visitxfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots, and then launch a browser.
    • Data overages will no longer apply for 60 days.
    • No Disconnects or Late Fees: Comcast will not disconnect a customer’s internet service or assess late fees if they contact them to let them know that they can’t pay their bills during this period. Comcast care teams will be available tooffer flexible payment options and can help find other solutions.
    • For more information and updates from Comcast related to Coronavirus, visit: http://www.comcastcorporation.com/COVID-19/
  4. Cox Communications’ Connect2Compete is for families with school-aged children who are enrolled in low-income assistance programs.
  5. The Starry Internet Company’s affordable service Starry Connect is available in New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, Washington, DC and Denver in affordable housing developments.
  6. T-Mobile:
    • COVID-19 Response: While T-Mobile does not have a low-cost offer, it has announced that starting now, all current T-Mo and Metro by T-Mobile customers who have plans with data will have unlimited smartphone data for 60 days, excluding roaming. Most subscribers already have unlimited data, but now people who may be on an older plan with a data allotment have unlimited data. Also, Starting soon, T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers will have an additional 20GB of mobile hotspot data for the next 60 days.
    • For more information go to: https://www.tmonews.com/2020/03/t-mobile-metro-unlimited-data-mobile-hotspot-coronavirus/
  7. Other smaller or regional ISPs have offers as well:
    • This Open Source Document lists information about special programs regional ISPs are offering in response to the crisis.

B. The Lifeline program provides a subsidy to HUD-assisted residents for phone and/or Internet service. Annual recertification requirements have been postponed for 60 days by the FCC.

C. For updates to these offers: See the Federal Communications Commission’sKeep Americans Connected” page.

II. LOW-COST DEVICES:

 III. LEARNING CONTENT

  1. ABCMouse – online learning content for kids 3-8+ years of age. Provided by the company Age of Learning.  District or school leaders can visit ageoflearning.com/schools to obtain free in-home access to ABCMouse and other programs for their students. For more information, see their media advisory.
  2. Recommendations for the whole family by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit dedicated to online safety of minors:

For more, visit:  commonsensemedia.org or commonsense.org/education

  1. Virtual museum tours provided by 12 of the top museums in the world, from London to Seoul.
  2. Government-wide information: https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus#item-214586

 

*This information does not constitute an endorsement by HUD.

Prepared by the Community & Supportive Services Division, Office of Public Housing Investments, 3.17.2020

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BNC Wellness Phone System

BNC “PHONE BUDDY” TELE-HEALTH WELLNESS PROGRAM

BNC FREE TELE-HEALTH WELLNESS VISITS and more for our seniors/disabled/others.

CALL 518-596-0936

www.blacknursescoatition.org

BNC Phone Buddy

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City of Albany COVID-19 Updates and Resources

The City of Albany Website has links for updates, closings, resources, and department information.

They can be found by clicking HERE.

AlbanyCovid

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COVID-19 Update: 03.17.2020

ALL AHA Offices Closed to Walk-Ins

To minimize the potential spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and out of an abundance of caution, effective immediately, all Albany Housing Authority offices are closed to walk-in traffic until further notice.

While we recognize the inconvenience this may cause, we take our commitment to the safety of this community very seriously. These measures have been taken in a concerted effort to protect our clients, residents and staff.

Please place any documents in the drop box found inside the 200 South Pearl Street entrance lobby.

Rent payments (Check or Money Order) may be placed in the drop box located outside of the building, to right of the 200 South Pearl Street entrance. Please make sure your name and address is written clearly on your payment

DO NOT PUT CASH IN THE DROP BOX

While our doors may be closed during this time, our phones lines remain open. Below is a list of services available online and via phone:

  • We encourage you to use our website from home, 24/7 at albanyhousing.org to make payments, apply for housing, and view Section 8 Landlord payments. We’ve made a number of enhancements that make it easier than ever to manage these tasks digitally.
  • We continue to offer customer support by calling 518-641-7500 (Option 1) 24/7. Using this phone number you can check your rent balance and your status on the waiting list.
  • Please report any maintenance issues using the maintenance line 518-447-0047 24/7.

To reach a staff member directly, please call (518) 641-7500 and use option “2” for the spell by name directory. Fax numbers for staff and their e-mail addresses will be available on their voicemail should they be on another call. Please remember that our staff will be handling an unusually high volume of calls at this time and leaving only one message is encouraged.

Documents for the following departments can be faxed to:

Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) and Applications/Move-Ins-(518) 641-7548

Public Housing- (518) 641-7549

Managers and all other employee fax numbers will be available on their voicemail.

Appointments, Inspections, and Work Orders:

If you or any person you live with has been experiencing symptoms of acute respiratory illness, a fever (100.4 F or 37.8 C or higher), has recently traveled out of the Capital Region, or has any reason to believe you may have been personally exposed to an acute respiratory illness or around people who are ill, please let us know immediately. This information will be kept confidential in our office and is for preventative purposes only.

  • Emergency Work Orders-Will be addressed as soon as possible. Emergency protocols will be used.
  • Inspections- At this time inspections are being performed as scheduled

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work through this together.

 

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COVID-19 Update

Amid ongoing concerns about COVID-19 (Coronavirus), circumstances beyond our control have forced our normal business practices to change, effective immediately non-essential staff’s contact with the public will be by appointment only through Friday March 20, 2020. For all other matters our staff will be available to assist you via phone, fax, and e-mail. The Albany Housing Authority (AHA) is closely monitoring the latest reports from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the NYS Department of Health. The health and safety of our residents and employees is our top priority.

Below is a list of services available online and via phone:

We encourage you to use our website from home, 24/7 at www.albanyhousing.org to make payments, apply for housing, and view Section 8 Landlord payments. We’ve made a number of enhancements that make it easier than ever to manage these tasks digitally.

We continue to offer customer support by calling 518-641-7500 (Option 1) 24/7. Using this phone number you can check your rent balance and your status on the waiting list.

Please report any maintenance issues using the maintenance line 518-447-0047 24/7.

To reach a staff member directly, please call (518) 641-7500 and use option “2” for the spell by name directory. Fax numbers for staff and their e-mail addresses will be available on their voicemail should they be on another call. Please remember that our staff will be handling an unusually high volume of calls at this time and leaving only one message is encouraged.

Documents for the following departments can be faxed to:

Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) and Applications/Move-Ins-(518) 641-7548

Public Housing- (518) 641-7549

Managers and all other employee fax numbers will be available on their voicemail.

Appointments, Inspections, and Work Orders:

If you or any person you live with has been experiencing symptoms of acute respiratory illness, a fever (100.4 F or 37.8 C or higher), has recently traveled out of the Capital Region, or has any reason to believe you may have been personally exposed to an acute respiratory illness or around people who are ill, please let us know immediately. This information will be kept confidential in our office and is for preventative purposes only.

Emergency Work Orders-Will be addressed as soon as possible. Emergency protocols will be used.

Annual and Non-Emergency Inspections- Have been cancelled until further notice- We will continue to perform inspections for move-ins.

Section 8 Voucher Holders living in units not owned by AHA and Landlord’s may still request an inspection if the unit contains conditions that are life threatening or unsanitary. Call (518) 641-7497 for emergency inspections only.

We’ve augmented daily cleaning procedures with the use of disinfectant products on high-touch surfaces and working to keep hand sanitizer readily available for all staff. We are also working diligently to educate office and front line staff on best practices recommended by the CDC. This includes proper hand-washing, especially after handling cash and documents as well as implementing a temporary “no hand shake” policy. As always, we are still committed to providing exceptional customer service.

 

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COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Facts

Share Facts About COVID-19 (Coronavirus-19 DISEASE)

Know the facts about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and help stop the spread of rumors.

FACT 1

Diseases can make anyone sick regardless of their race or ethnicity.

People of Asian descent, including Chinese Americans, are not more likely to get COVID-19 than any other American. Help stop fear by letting people know that being of Asian descent does not increase the chance of getting or spreading COVID-19.

FACT 2

Some people are at increased risk of getting COVID-19.

People who have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or people who live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread are at an increased risk of exposure.

FACT 3

Someone who has completed quarantine or has been released from isolation does not pose a risk of infection to other people.

For up-to-date information, visit CDC’s coronavirus disease 2019 web page.

FACT 4

You can help stop COVID-19 by knowing the signs and symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath Seek medical advice if you
  • Develop symptoms
  • AND
  • Have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.

FACT 5

There are simple things you can do to help keep yourself and others healthy.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

For more information: www.cdcgov/COVID19

COVID19 Fact Sheet 2020

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