As the outbreak of COVID-19, commonly known as the novel coronavirus, continues to impact the San Antonio area, Opportunity Home will take precautionary measures to protect the greater community and follow recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
At Opportunity Home, we are doing our part to clean and disinfect all public housing communities, including conducting deep cleaning at high-visited areas at each property.
Together, we can further protect our neighbors by wearing facial coverings, maintaining a social distance and washing our hands frequently.
Our protocols will change when we see a greater risk to our communities.
JAN. 5, 2022 UPDATE
From Jan. 5-31, 2022, Opportunity Home will enforce the following:
- Community offices and rooms will be closed. Residents can visit with staff by appointment only. Residents living at public housing communities can find their property office management contact information here.
- Routine work orders will be suspended, however maintenance staff will continue to address emergency work orders.
- Pest Control Services will continue. Maintenance staff will escort the vendor, but remain outside the unit.
- Support Services will continue to be provided to our families. Food distributions will continue at each site, and Opportunity Home staff will deliver the food directly to residents at their doorsteps.
- Housing Choice Voucher inspections will be conducted virtually.
- Housekeeping inspections are suspended.
- Board of Commissioners meetings will resume in-person for commissioners only as mandated by Texas law.
- The Opportunity Home Central Office lobby will limit in-person visits to four residents at a time. Residents will be seen by appointment only. Call 210.477.6000 for assistance.
For a list of available COVID-19 testing sites, visit sanantonio.gov/COVID19 or call the COVID-19 Hotline at 210.207.5779.
UPDATE ON EVICTIONS
Opportunity Home has extended the eviction moratorium for public housing and Beacon Communities residents through March 1, 2022.
The eviction moratorium extension is our way of helping you and other residents have more time to pay rent, avoid eviction and ensure you continue to have a home to rent as we recover from the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The eviction moratorium does not apply to someone who:
- Engages in criminal activity on the premises;
- Threatens the health or safety of other residents;
- Damages or poses an immediate and significant risk of damage to property;
- Violates any applicable building code, health ordinance or similar regulation relating to health and safety; or
- Violates any other contractual obligation (other than late fees, penalties, or interest).
Any past due rent you owe is still due. Opportunity Home offers flexible repayment plans and can lower your monthly rent if you are experiencing a reduction in work hours or if you have lost a source of income. Contact your property management office to set up a repayment plan.
In addition, Opportunity Home clients may also qualify for emergency rental or utility assistance from the City of San Antonio. To learn more and submit an application online, please visit the City’s COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance website here.
IF A COVID-19 INFECTION OCCURS AT A Opportunity Home COMMUNITY
The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (SAMHD) will provide residents with further guidance, including instructions on self quarantine in the event of a widespread exposure at a Opportunity Home property. Only SAMHD can provide this confirmation.
IF YOUR INCOME CHANGES DUE TO COVID-19
If your job has been impacted by COVID-19, here is what you can do if your income changes:
Report the change to Opportunity Home within 10 days of your income changing by completing a “Change of Income” Packet.
Public Housing residents can email completed packet to [email protected], their property manager or mail packets to:
Opportunity Home San Antonio
ATTN: Public Housing
818 S. Flores St., San Antonio, TX 78204
Voucher Program (Section 8) residents can email completed packet to [email protected] or mail completed packets to:
Opportunity Home San Antonio
ATTN: Housing Choice Vouchers
818 S. Flores St., San Antonio, TX 78204
YOU CAN ALSO:
- Apply for Unemployment benefits online to receive temporary assistance.
- Contact your property manager or landlord and discuss payment arrangements. You are still required to pay your rent as outlined in your lease.
- For free one-on-one financial counseling to help with budgeting or debt management, call the City of San Antonio Financial Empowerment Center at 210.206.5372.
IF YOU NEED HELP PAYING YOUR UTILITIES
CPS Energy and SAWS are suspending disconnections during the COVID-19 outbreak. However, you are still required to pay your monthly bills. In addition to the help listed above, you can:
- Visit CPS online, or call 210.353.2222.
- Visit SAWS online, or call 210.233.2273.
IF YOU NEED WI-FI
Spectrum is offering free Internet for 60 days to qualifying families with students K–12 or college students who do not already have service. Call 1-844-488-8395 for more information or to enroll.
IF YOU FEEL SICK
If you are feeling sick or have symptoms related to the coronavirus, here are some ways to seek medical attention.
TAKE A SELF SCREENING TEST
The City of San Antonio launched a new COVID-19 self-screening tool. The test is available in English and Spanish.
FIND A COVID-19 TESTING SITE
If you are experiencing allergy- or flu-like symptoms, you are encouraged to get tested at any testing site throughout Bexar County.
If you need assistance or have questions about transportation for testing, please contact the COVID-19 hotline. The hotline is available in English and Spanish. Residents can call 311 or 210.207.6000 and select option 8.
COVID-19 VACCINATION
A COVID-19 vaccination is the greatest defense against the virus. Find a vaccination site near you.
CITY OF SAN ANTONIO
covid19.sanantonio.gov/Services/Vaccination-for-COVID-19
WELLMED SAN ANTONIO
www.wellmedhealthcare.com/vaccine
UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM
universityhealthsystem.com/coronavirus-covid19/vaccine
IF YOU NEED FOOD
If you need food to help feed yourself and your family:
- The San Antonio Food Bank continues to host food distributions throughout the city. The Food Bank is requiring pre-registration for anyone wanting to attend to avoid a shortage of supplies. Call 210.431.8326 to attend a food distribution or have food delivered to your home.
- Call Catholic Charities at 210.226.6178 to make an appointment to visit their food pantry and clothes closet. Catholic Charities also have a mobile unit to help residents who are immobile.
- Seniors can sign up for Meals on Wheels to receive a delivered meal.
STAY INFORMED
Public health officials are readily available and sharing information often.
City of San Antonio Metro Health
sanantonio.gov/COVID19 | COVID-19 Hotline: 210.207.5779
TX Department of Health and Human Services
dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus
COVID-19 Hotline
1.877.570.9779
Text for Updates
Text COSAGOV to 55000 to receive text message updates
Ready South Texas App
Download the Ready South Texas App to receive updates on COVID-19.
Thank you in advance for your patience, understanding, flexibility and care you give each other and to our residents. Opportunity Home hopes the changes outlined above will protect our staff and residents and help minimize the virus impact on the larger San Antonio community.