Coronavirus Updates

Office Partial Closure – Some Service Restrictions

Daily Bulletin for Sunday 27th September 2020

MESSAGE BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, JAMES RICHARDSON

The coronavirus epidemic will continue to have an impact on our lives and how the Trust operates for the foreseeable future. However, Haig Housing’s Headquarters Office in Morden has now partially re-opened after a full risk assessment and with all due safeguards in place. While we continue to operate a reduced service, with many staff still working from home, we are adjusting to these new circumstances and working hard to ensure that our services return as near as safely possible to those of old.

However, with an emphasis on personal safety, some things will remain different, at least until more is known about the virus and, hopefully, an effective vaccine and other treatments become available. In the meantime, we will continue to follow Government guidelines including those from the devolved administrations.

KEY POINTS TO NOTE

Alban Dobson House, Morden

• Alban Dobson House remains closed to casual visitors. Please contact us by phone on 020 8685 5777 or by email to enquiries@haighousing.org.uk if you have any questions.

Rent

• We ask that you continue to make your rent payments so that we can continue our efforts to help our beneficiaries through these challenging times and to maintain your homes.

• If you have difficulty in paying or need to delay payment you should confirm that you have applied for all the Government assistance that is available, noting that as we emerge from the pandemic and that more people can return to full-time working and off furlough that some of these will come to an end. If you have any concerns over meeting your rent you should contact our Income team without delay on 020 8685 5777 so we can offer you help, assistance and advice.

• Please be aware that your home will be safe even if temporary arrears become unavoidable. However, if in arrears it is vital you make contact so we can help structure a recovery plan to clear any arrears in a sympathetic and supportive manner.

• If you are applying locally for Universal Credit, please note that Haig Housing Trust is a PRIVATE LANDLORD and not a Housing Association.

Repairs and Maintenance

• Please report all repairs 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. Emergency and Urgent repairs will be prioritised with others undertaken on case by case basis.

• 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.

Estate Visits

• Estate visits by Housing Managers have re-started.

• All Haig Staff will maintain 2 metre social distancing should face to face contact be necessary.

• We will inform you when stock survey visits recommence.

New Beneficiaries

• Sign up of new beneficiaries is underway.

Car Permits

• Current Car Permits have been further extended to midnight on Wednesday 31st March 2021. We will advise in advance of this date when new permits are to be issued and with what mechanism.

• YOU SHOULD NOTE THAT NORMAL PARKING ENFORCEMENT CONTINUES.

Please check back to this website regularly for updates.

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 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.

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

YOU SHOULD ALSO NOTE THAT AS CORONAVIRUS SPIKES OCCUR IN DIFFERENT REGIONS, WHETHER IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, WALES OR NORTHERN IRELAND THAT LOCAL RESTRICTIONS MAY BE IMPOSED

Coronavirus - Government/NHS

Government advice on support for businesses incl for the self employed: here

Government local restrictions - list of areas: here

Government winter campaign to manage coronavirus - Hand. Face. Space: here

Government legal requirement for all venues to now record contact details: here

Government advice on face coverings in education: here

Government advice on new payments for people self-isolating in highest risk areas: here

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

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