COVID-19 Updates & Information for Avesta Housing Residents
The safety and well-being of the people who live in our properties is very important to us. We have enacted numerous new protocols and policies to help prevent the exposure and spread of COVID-19 in our properties and among our residents and staff, and we will continue to do so as advised by public health and government officials. We will update this information as changes are made.
Although our offices are closed to the public, we are still open for business. Our property management staff are working harder than ever to ensure that all of our residents continue to have a safe, quality, and affordable place to call home! Please contact your property management team if you need assistance.
Maine Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Maine’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program helps pay rent and utility costs for eligible Maine renters. One application could provide help with future rent, back rent, security deposits, and electric utility expenses. You could get up to 12 months of help from this program.
New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Important Information for Residents:
- You are encouraged to wear a face covering while outside of your apartment.
- Wash your hands frequently throughout the day using soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
- Refrain from shaking hands and touching people outside of your household.
- Refrain from congregating in groups with people outside of your household and keep 6 feet between you and another person.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- If you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, stay in your apartment and call your doctor immediately for guidance.
- While Avesta Housing offices are closed to the public, you can pay rent the following ways
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- Log in to the Resident Portal at: AvestaHousing.org/Resident-Portal
- Mail a check made out to Your Property Name and send to: Avesta Housing, 307 Cumberland Avenue, Portland, ME 04101.
- Emergency Rental Assistance is available for Maine and New Hampshire residents whose income or expenses have been impacted by COVID-19. Please see the links at the top of this page for more information, or reach out to your Property Manager or Resident Service Coordinator for assistance.
- The Avesta NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center is a free financial planning resource for Avesta Housing residents. If you are experiencing any financial difficulties, please contact the HOC to seek assistance preparing an emergency budget, establishing a rent payment plan, etc.
- If you are concerned about your ability to pay rent, please contact the HOC immediately. We will work with residents needing help.
- HomeOwnership Center contact info: 207-553-7777 (ask for the HomeOwnership Center) or AvestaHOC.org.
- All buildings are following a cleaning and sanitization schedule. Additional precautions will follow CDC guidance.
- We recommend that only one household be in an elevator, mailbox area, or laundry room at one time. If more than one household is present, we recommend face coverings.
- Only emergency work orders and urgent reasonable accommodations are being handled at this time.
- Please continue to submit work order requests by entering the information to our work order portal at AvestaHousing.org/Resident-Portal or by calling 207-553-7777 or 1-800-339-6516 (TTY/Voice)
- After normal business hours, emergency work orders can be submitting by calling 207-553-7779
While our offices are currently closed, we are still available and ready to assist you with any needs or questions related to your housing! Please don’t hesitate to call your Property Manager or Resident Service Coordinator if there is any way we can assist you.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
World Health Organization:
Maine Residents:
- Maine CDC – https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/airborne/coronavirus.shtml.
- 211 Maine – can answer general questions about COVID-19, including how Mainers can best protect themselves, options for testing, and travel considerations.
New Hampshire Residents:
- New Hampshire State Government – https://www.nh.gov/covid19/.
- 211 New Hampshire – can answer general questions about COVID-19, including how New Hampshire residents can best protect themselves, options for testing, and travel considerations.
STAYING CONNECTED
Social distancing does not mean social isolation, and even a pandemic should not force you to be alone. Now, more than ever, people need to find smart ways to stay connected.
- Learn new technology: FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and lots more. All sorts of online options exist to talk with family and friends. Doing the basics is easy, and for most people, fun. If setting up an account is daunting, ask a neighbor, niece or nephew for help and a quick tutorial.
- Stay active in the community even at home: How can you remain a part of the community if the goal is to separate from the community? But maybe there’s a remote option. Many organizations rely on volunteers to make phone calls. Please reach out to the organizations you are already connected with to see if they need volunteers.
- Reach out to family and friends: Stay in touch with the people close to you, especially those who are social distancing too. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that communities create buddy systems to make sure vulnerable and hard-to-reach people stay connected, particularly to news about COVID-19. This can be done through your church, social group or daily neighborhood email blasts.
RESOURCES FOR MAINE RESIDENTS
Food:
- Good Shepherd Database – a great resource for all local food pantries in the state. The database is updated everyday by 2pm https://www.gsfb.org/covid-19-partner-agency-updates/.
- SNAP / DHHS Food Assistance Program – call 207-624-4186.
- Meals on Wheels – delivering meals to seniors aged 60+ who have difficulty leaving the house (including those who are self-isolating due to coronavirus) – call 1-800-427-7411 or 207-396-6500 – Online referral smaaa.wufoo.com/forms/zdr774i05gzsf4
Financial Assistance:
- Unemployment –https://www.maine.gov/labor/covid19/
- General Assistance-provide rental and food assistance. All applications right now will be considered to be an emergency application.Please go to your town or city’s website for more information- If you are unable to reach you local General assistance program contact 1-800-442-6003
Legal Assistance:
- Legal Services for the Elderly – free legal help- 1-800-750-5353 or www.mainelse.org.
- Pine Tree Legal Assistance- https://ptla.org/ or 207-774-8211.
- Maine Equal Justice – 207-626-7058 ext. 205 or https://maineequaljustice.org/.
Health:
- Maine Health Coverage – for residents who do not have a primary care physician – access to care team at 1-833-MHHELP1 (1-833-644-3571) or patientassistline@mainehealth.org.
- United HealthCare – emotional-support help line – free to all – 1-866-342-6892.
- MaineCare – 1-800-442-6003 or https://www1.maine.gov/benefits/account/login.html.
RESOURCES FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTS
Food:
- New Hampshire Food Bank – database that includes all New Hampshire food pantries and free meals – https://www.nhfoodbank.org/need-food/agency-list/.
- SNAP / DHHS Food Assistance Program – https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dfa/apply.htm
- Meals on Wheels – https://rockinghammealsonwheels.org/ or 603-679-2201.
Financial Assistance:
- Unemployment – https://www.nhes.nh.gov/services/claimants/file.htm
- Town Welfare – Towns and cities must give financial help for basic needs like shelter, rent, mortgage payments, heat, lights, gas, water, food, necessary clothing, transportation and prescriptions. Contact your local town or city for information – https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dfa/nheasy.htm.
Legal Assistance:
- New Hampshire Legal Aide – 1-800-639-5290 or https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dfa/nheasy.htm.
HOW TO RECEIVE EMAIL UPDATES FROM AVESTA
Residents who are registered in the Resident Portal will receive important email updates from Avesta Housing, starting April 1.
If you have not yet registered in the Resident Portal, it’s quick and easy! Here’s how:
- Click here: AvestaHousing.org/Resident-Portal/.
- Click on your property name in the blue box.
- Select “Click Here to Register.”
- Enter your registration code*, your email address, and create a password.
- Click “Register.”
*If you need your registration code, or any other assistance, contact your property manager or resident service coordinator.
COVID RELATED RENTAL ASSISTANCE
Please contact your Property Manager or Resident Service Coordinator if you have questions related to these rent relief programs.
Tips from a Resident Service Coordinator
Important Links from a Resident Service Coordinator
Emergency Budget Tips from from a Senior Financial Counselor
