Coronavirus Updates
Office Closure – Sustained Disruption
Daily Bulletin for Friday 10th July 2020
While the coronavirus epidemic continues to affect us, Haig Housing’s Headquarters Office in Morden remains closed until further notice. However, we continue to operate a reduced service, with staff generally working from home. We will continue to follow Government guidelines including those from the devolved administrations. However we are also preparing for new ways of working in line with Government advice and this will include some staff returning to our main office after a full risk assessment and with all due safeguards in place.
Please check back to this website regularly for updates.
MESSAGE BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, JAMES RICHARDSON
If you are affected in such a way that you have concern over meeting your rent you should contact our Income team on 020 8685 5777 so we can offer you help, assistance and advice.
STATEMENT BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF HAIG HOUSING
While Haig Housing is not itself a Registered Provider of social housing ie a Housing Association (but, instead, a charitable provider of housing) it is nevertheless a member of the National Housing Federation who have issued the following public statement that highlights the work that Housing Associations are doing to tackle coronavirus and the impact it is having on people’s lives. The Trust intends to follow this statement in both letter and spirit:
Housing Associations’ response to the coronavirus crisis
Housing Associations are not-for-profit landlords to more than six million people. They are working closely with residents, local government, the NHS and others to respond to the coronavirus crisis. They are keeping residents safe and supported in their homes, keeping vital services running, and helping communities to respond.
They know that many residents will be worried about their income. So during this crisis Housing Associations are committed to:
1. Keeping people secure at home
No one will be evicted from a Housing Association home as a result of financial hardship caused by coronavirus.
2. Helping people to get the support they need
Housing Associations are helping residents to access benefits and other support to alleviate financial hardship.
3. Acting compassionately and quickly where people are struggling
Housing Associations are working with residents to understand how they can help them. This can include flexibility on collecting rent where that would make a difference. Any resident worried about paying their rent should contact their Housing Association (in this instance Haig Housing), who will want to help.
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
If you are applying locally for Universal Credit
Please note that Haig Housing Trust is a PRIVATE LANDLORD and not a Housing Association.
Repairs & maintenance
Please only report emergency and very urgent repairs issues to us by telephone to 020 8685 5777, choosing Option 1 or by email to enquiries@haighousing.org.uk. Calls will take longer to answer; please be patient as we will get to all calls in turn. Our daily bulletin on this website will update you when less urgent repairs and maintenance issues can be reported.
Our contractors are now working a reduced service with some unavoidable delays. We will continue working on empty void properties. You will be given clear instructions in advance if you need to remain in a different room when our contractor visits; all will wear disposable gloves to prevent possible contamination of any surfaces they touch. We will always respond in an emergency. Our out of hours service remains available fully for emergency or very urgent repairs only but please listen carefully to any pre-recorded messages.
If you self-isolate
If you self-isolate after being instructed to do so or are following Government guidelines then please inform us without delay by telephone or email so that we can advise any contractor who may need to visit you.
Housing Manager or Stock Survey Visits
These are suspended until further notice and will resume when things improve.
Social Distancing
All Haig Staff will be employing social distancing with you if any face to face contact is necessary, this means they will stay 2 meters apart and refrain from any direct contact. It is Government advice that you should do the same and we encourage you to follow this advice.
Parking
Car permits on those estates where these are issued will now remain valid until the end of August 2020 if they expire before then, at which point they will either be extended further or new advice regarding their replacement will be given. YOU SHOULD NOTE THAT NORMAL PARKING ENFORCEMENT CONTINUES.
General Advice
Please listen to Government and other updates by television, radio or online.
Be aware of elderly or infirm neighbours, especially if they live on their own. We do not recommend unnecessary contact but do suggest that you keep in touch with them by telephone and help with shopping where you can. If you have serious concerns then telephone 999 in an emergency.
USEFUL DOCUMENTS
General Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidance - English
General Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidance – नेपाली Nepalese
USEFUL LINKS
PLEASE NOTE THE DIVERGENCE ON OPENING UP FROM LOCKDOWN NOW OCCURRING BETWEEN THE DEVOLVED GOVERNMENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. WHILE MUCH OF THE ADVICE BELOW APPLIES TO ALL, SOME IS SPECIFIC TO ENGLAND ONLY. THEREFORE IF YOU LIVE IN SCOTLAND, WALES, NORTHERN IRELAND OR JERSEY PLEASE ALSO CHECK THE SPECIFIC ADVICE GIVEN IN THE NATIONAL SECTIONS BELOW
Coronavirus - Government/NHS
Government latest FAQ advice on what you can and cannot do: click here
Government guidance on getting tested for Coronavirus: click here
Government advice on Coronavirus: click here
Government guidance for households with possible Coronavirus infection: click here
Government guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing: click here
Government advice on Coronavirus and domestic abuse: click here
NHS advice on Test and Trace: here
NHS advice on Coronavirus: click here
Advice on staying alert and safe (social distancing) in England only: click here
Public Health England: A simple guide to staying at home: click here
Every Mind Matters - Looking after your mental health at home: click here
Income Support Self-Employed
Government self-employment Income Support Scheme: click here
Extremely Vulnerable People
Government guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19: click here
Get Coronavirus support as an extremely vulnerable person: click here
Schools
Online educational resources for schools and parents to help children to learn at home: click here
Voucher scheme for schools to provide free school meals: click here
Veterans Support
Veterans UK open for business but with some changes: click here
Veterans Gateway - Help if you have been affected by Covid-19: click here
Volunteering
To volunteer for the NHS: click here
To volunteer for Team Rubicon’s Op RE:ACT, mobilising UK Veterans to answer the nation’s call for volunteers: click here
Scotland
Latest Scottish Government advice: click here
Ready Scotland - How to get and give help: click here
Wales
Welsh Government - general advice and information: click here
Welsh Government - how to protect yourself and others: click here
Northern Ireland
NIDirect information: click here
Northern Ireland Public Health Agency advice and information: click here
Jersey
Jersey Government - General advice: click here
Jersey Government - health advice and information: click here
Miscellaneous
Obtain an NHS Isolation Note (in lieu of a GP Fitness to Work Note) for your employer: click here
MOTs due from 30 March 2020 - 6 month extension: click here
Driving licences expiring between 1 February and 31 August 2020 extended by 7 months: click here
Morden
We are taking some additional precautions at Morden:
- Note that the office is closed. Instead please contact us by telephone or email
- All events in the Lawrence Weaver Hall have been suspended until further notice
USEFUL HELPLINES
Childline offers support to children or young persons where domestic abuse is happening in the home or within a relationship and is free to call on 0800 1111
The 24/7 National Domestic Abuse helpline, which offers support to victims and people affected by domestic abuse, is free to call on 0808 2000 247
Victim Support National 24/7 Supportline: 08 08 16 89 111
The Respect Phoneline provides confidential advice and support to help perpetrators stop being violent and abusive and is free to call 0808 802 4040
Men’s Advice Line (www.mensadviceline.org.uk) is a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic violence and those supporting them and is free to call on 0808 801 0327
Karma Nirvana (www.karmanirvana.org.uk) supports victims of honour based abuse and forced marriage and is free to call on 0800 5999 247 (Mon to Fri 9am–5pm)
Hour Glass (www.wearehourglass.org) challenges the abuse of older people in all its forms and is free to call on 0808 808 8141
Galop (www.galop.org.uk) provides an LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline and is free to call on 0800 999 5428
