FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 20, 2020

***Public Service Announcement***

Update from NHA regarding COVID-19

Yá’át’ééh. This is a public service announcement from the Navajo Housing Authority regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus).

There is a continuing and growing concern over the COVID-19 global pandemic outbreak. The health and welfare of our Navajo Housing Authority (NHA) employees and customers is our top priority. Therefore, effective immediately, we have authorized administrative leave for our employees. All employees are to report back to work on March 30, 2020 – the return date is subject to change. During this time, standby personnel will continue to address emergency work orders.

NHA is currently operating with a staff of essential personnel that includes a newly created internal NHA COVID-19 Task Force which is vigilantly monitoring the COVID-19 situation and how it is affecting our tenants both in the Public Rental and Homeownership programs.

NHA stands ready to assist and is pleased to announce it will be making a $1 million financial contribution to the Navajo Nation to support in the following areas: providing cleaning supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), media expenses for updates to the community, and providing food when available.

Additionally, the NHA is offering the use of its fifteen (15) Housing Management Offices to be utilized as command centers for COVID-19 operations and distributions centers, if needed.

Lastly, we understand that our tenants may be experiencing a financial burden during this time, therefore the NHA leadership have authorized the waiver of public rental and homeownership payments for the months of April and May 2020.

Other actions in effect include the temporary suspension of: notices to vacate and lease violations, evictions for non-criminal activity, unit transfers, move-ins, move-outs, routine maintenance work orders, annual housing inspections, rental and homeownership late fees and pest control services to public residential units. Existing repayment agreements and recertification deadlines will be extended.

For additional information regarding NHA status and other public service announcements regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, tenants may call NHA’s hotline number at (928) 871-2691 or visit our website at www.hooghan.org. Other information regarding COVID-19 may be viewed on the Centers for Disease Control’s Website at www.cdc.gov, and your local area health department’s website.

On behalf of the Navajo Housing Authority, we encourage you to take care of yourself, your family, and your community.

Thank you.

NAVAJO HOUSING AUTHORITY

Frank Dayish

Chief Executive Officer

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