Corona Virus Updates
Office Closure – Sustained Disruption
Daily Bulletin for Thursday 9th April 2020
Notwithstanding difficult times The Trust hopes you all enjoy the peace of the Easter weekend – though from your homes only! Please be responsible and remember your neighbours, especially if they are elderly, infirm or isolated.
As the coronavirus epidemic continues to affect us all further, Haig Housing has now closed its Headquarters Office in Morden until further notice, but will continue to operate a reduced service, with staff working from home. 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
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 2meters 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
Current car permits will remain valid until the end of May by when new advice will have been 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 LINKS
Coronavirus - Government/NHS
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 guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK: click here
NHS Advice on Coronavirus: click here
Public Health England: A simple guide to staying 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 UK
Veterans UK open for business but with some changes: 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
Advice and information if you live in Scotland: click here
Wales
Advice and information if you live in Wales: click here
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Public Health Agency advice and information: click here
Jersey
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
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.
