NWCH’s Response to COVID-19

To our residents, partners, funders, and supporters,

The last couple of weeks have been a challenge.  We and our partner agencies have had very enlightening, thoughtful conversations over the last couple of weeks.  Our focus is maintaining health, safety, and stabilty for our constitutents we serve and those within our agency.  With this in mind, we at Northwest Coastal Housing, have taken several measures in response to the COVID-19 public health outbreak. We are currently following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and the State of Oregon as it relates to COVID-19, seeking to offer services in the safest way possible.  This includes social distancing and providing services by email and phone, as our office staff are operating mostly remotely at this time.  Rest assured, we are still operational and accessible to help provide the best services we can.  Over the last week Northwest Coastal Housing has implemented several changes we want to share with you.  We will keep you apprised of modifications as quickly as possible.

We realize there will be disruptions to work.  We are committed to working with our industry peers to help find solutions and problem solving for loss of income due to COVID-19.  This could be because many businesses have closed their doors, because residents are sick, or have been exposed to someone who has been sick.

• Northwest Coastal Housing has been working with our partners and legislators for moratorium on evictions for nonpayment of rent and related late fees due to loss of income related to COVID-19.  This will include a repayment plan unless alternate rental assistance is utilized.
• We are eliminating communal access to common areas while implementing special cleaning protocols for resident and staff health and safety.
• We have also eliminated in-person group meetings and community activities, except in cases of food distribution.
• For now, we are discontinuing our after-school programming and our community events.  We are creatively finding ways to stay connected to families, kids, and seniors – all our residents who may need our services.
• To our future residents, we are committed to continue moving forward on housing development projects.  Our partners join us as we pursue funding application submissions and we are very grateful for their committment to help support this effort as much of this work weighs heavily on them.
• We intend to remain open for business, though we are working from our homes in the midst of our own families.
• Email will be the best means of communication.  We ask for your patience as we work out the nuances of teleworking.  In the meantime:
  • Email:  nwcoastalhousing@gmail.com
  • For Business  Phone:  541-270-3071
  • Resident Service Coordinator’s phone numbers have not changed.

To our Staff: 

NWCH is committed to your long-term health and wellness.  For this reason: 

• As of March 16th, staff have all moved to mostly teleworking continuing to be paid at least their regular wages at this time.
• In-person meetings will be via phone or video conference as staff are mostly able to work at home.
• We are ensuring that staff who run out of sick leave can take paid administrative leave for up to two weeks, to care for themselves and their families, while not exposing others to illness.
• We will be checking in via technology on a regular basis to stay connected to each other and our continued work.

We all have our work cut out for us.  NWCH will continue to operate and we will support each other.

We care about you and hope you stay safe and healthy as well.  If there is anyway NWCH can help, please reach out to us.  We are here.

There is a lot of work yet to be accomplished at both the state, federal, and local levels.  The priority is advocating for resources to those who need assistance and relief, especially for our most vulnerable among us including those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.  Similarly, in our own neighborhoods, check with those who may be in need, who may be the most vulnerable.  We are all in this together and this could bring a new meaning to community.  We are community and though we are all practicing social distancing, stay connected.

With the impact of limited rents and the cancellation of our fundraiser, we could use your help.  If you have the ability, please consider making a donation to our organization.  Just click on the link to our website donation page here.  Your support will help us continue, and we need it.  Some of you have already made donations.  We thank you!

This is a stressful time and we are in a constant state of adaptation as we do our best to keep everyone as safe as possible.  We understand the disruption and are in this with you. Our thoughts are with the entire community we serve – stay safe and healthy everyone.