Keep Posted on the Latest Information Here:

Websites for current and accurate information on the Coronavirus listed at the bottom of this page:

Posted: March 25, 2020

Click on the headline below for more information:

GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT ISSUES A “STAY HOME, STAY SAFE” ORDER, DIRECTS ADDITIONAL CLOSURES

Posted: March 23, 2020

 

Posted: March 23, 2020

Posted: March 20 , 2020

Posted: March 16, 2020

As I’m sure you know, COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus, presents a serious risk to public health especially to older people, and those suffering from respiratory and other chronic illnesses.

Many of our residents fall into one or both of these categories, so we are taking several steps, based on the guidance from the Vermont Department of Health, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help reduce the chance that our residents, staff or community get sick.

Brattleboro Housing Partnerships operation precautions at this time: Beginning Monday, March 16th many of our staff will be working remotely. The main BHP office as well as property site offices will be closed until further notice. You may continue to contact us via phone 802-254-6071. Staff will be able to do most day to day activities over the phone and through the mail.  If we do not answer, please press zero and leave a message.  Staff will be checking messages throughout the day. Extra business reply envelopes will be at each site.  Please use these for rents, and other correspondence to BHP.  You may also drop off envelopes at our main BHP office drop box at Melrose Terrace.  Do not use property site drop boxes, these will not be checked. Maintenance staff will be concentrating on daily cleaning and emergency work orders only.  If you have an emergency work order we want you call it in. An emergency work order is loss of power, no heat, no hot water,  refrigerator not working, entire oven range not working,  water leaks, lock outs, toilets not working (try to plunge first).  You will be asked a series of questions about recent illness before a staff member enters your apartment. When staff enters please go into a different part of the apartment from where they will be working. Effective Monday, March 16th all community rooms and shared kitchens are closed. Effective Monday March 16th all resident gatherings, community meetings and activities are suspended. BHP support staff will be reaching out to residents on a regular basis to check in about health needs and supplies. If you need to talk to a support person please call the main number at 802-254-6071 to be connected.   Please make sure BHP has a current phone number for you. If you are leaving your apartment to stay with someone else for more than a day, please let staff know so we are not concerned.

 

What you can do: We all have a responsibility to do everything we can to protect the people who, if they catch the virus, could become very, very sick.  This is a time for us to work together to make sure that our most vulnerable neighbors, friends and loved ones stay safe. If you are sick, call your primary care provider and inform them of your symptoms. Stop the spread of germs by social distancing, washing hands, and staying in if you are sick. It doesn’t take much to make a big difference. Call to check in on elderly and or immune compromised friends and family. We will continue to post updates at your property sites, on our Facebook page and at www.brattleborohousing.org Be kind and patient with BHP staff and your neighbors.  Everyone is worried.  This is the time to show how strong and caring we are as a community.

 

These changes will be in effect until the Vermont Department of Health advices otherwise. 

Posted: March 16, 2020

From:

Have you in the past 14 days:

Traveled to Vermont from MA or NY or one of the affected countries or regions?

Been in contact with a Novel Coronavirus/ COVID-19 infected person?

Have you been to a health care facility (Hospital, walk– in clinics, emergency room) where people are infected with Novel Coronavirus/ COVID-19 are being treated?

Have you had the following symptoms in the last few days:

*Feel Uncomfortable or unwell– especially with respiratory symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing?)

 

If you answered YES, to any of these questions, please call your medical provider and seek their recommendation. If you need any further assistance or have questions call the Brattleboro Fire Department at 254-4831.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Posted: March 13, 2020

Message from the Executive Director, Christine Hazzard

Increased Safety and Health Precautions

Dear BHP Residents,

Last week Brattleboro Housing Partnerships (BHP) distributed information about COVID-19 and precautions to take to keep yourself and others safe.  BHP staff recognize that residents may be increasingly anxious about the virus.  I’d like to share the extra steps BHP has taken to increase health safety precautions and to the minimize anxiety of residents.

As of last week BHP staff have:

• BHP has been receiving daily,  updated info from the VT. Dept. Of Health and basing plans and decisions on this information.
• BHP has increased the frequency of cleaning our public areas (including offices, lobbies, elevators, door handles, public bathrooms, etc.) and have continued to use CDC approved disinfectant for killing viruses.
• BHP has canceled programming with outside community members at Red Clover Commons, Hayes Court, and the Samuel Elliot Apartments as a precaution.
• BHP will continue to adjust onsite programing for residents based on updated information.
• BHP staff must wash their hands with antibacterial soap and/or use hand sanitizers before and after entering an apartment and before and after meeting with residents. Staff  are wearing protective gloves when appropriate.
• BHP is continuing to stock and clean public bathrooms to ensure residents are able to also wash their hands as frequently as possible.
• BHP is posting new and relevant information at properties about the importance of washing hands and any important info from the VT Dept. of Health.
• BHP is asking all residents if they are sick or have been sick before entering apartments. BHP will only enter an apartment when someone is sick if it is an emergency.
• BHP’s Wellness and Supportive Services team is organizing tools for residents to support one another.
• BHP has advised staff to stay home if they are sick.
• BHP is rescheduling all appointments if a person is sick.
• BHP “Support And Services at Home” (SASH) staff are asking participants to let them know if they are sick, so they can check in regularly by phone.

You can help us help you!  Please call the main office at 254-6071 if you notice areas that need extra cleaning or supplies.  Please stay home if you are sick.  Create a safety plan with family members, friends, or neighbors to check in with one other by phone.  And follow these safety precautions from the VT Department of Health:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Please let me know if you have any further concerns by calling 802-254-6071.

Christine Hazzard

Executive Director

Websites for information on the Coronavirus (COVID-19):

Click on image above for VT Department of Health website