HOUSING AUTHORITY OPERATIONS – Updated July 2021
The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) continues to monitor and follow the guidance provided by the State of California, the County of Santa Barbara’s Public Health Department, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address the impact of the potential spread of the coronavirus “COVID-19”.
As a local provider of affordable housing HACSB serves a large percentage of populations at high risk for COVID-19, including elderly persons, persons with disabilities, and persons with underlying health conditions.
Our top priority is the safety of our residents, staff, and communities we serve. As a local public agency, HACSB performs “essential governmental functions”, as such our agency staff will continue to be available via phone, email, and online portals.
Because we anticipate a higher than normal call volume, we respectfully ask for your patience as we work on answering and returning all calls. We apologize for any inconvenience, and we thank you for your patience during this time.
HACSB has implemented the following measures:
Face-to-Face Office Visits: HACSB will resume face-to-face office visits in August 2021. Office doors are open during regular business hours.
Facemasks: Facemasks are required by all visitors inside HACSB office buildings.
COVID Symptoms: Any client who has or shows signs symptoms of fever and/or respiratory infection will not be permitted.
Inspections: Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher unit inspections will begin in August 2021; new move-ins, and inspections for urgent health and safety issues have not ceased and will continue as needed.
HA Owned Developments: Community rooms in Housing Authority owned developments will be open but required to follow any Housing Authority COVID-19 protocols. Laundry rooms remain open.
Maintenance Requests: The Maintenance office is open for maintenance requests. Residents may also continue to call the Maintenance office for work order requests at 805-897-1060 during normal business hours and 805-965-1071 for after-hours emergencies.
Letter to the community from HACSB regarding coronavirus:
Temporary modifications to policy and regulation regarding the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program
The Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with broad statutory and regulatory waiver authority to assist in addressing the Coronavirus/COIVD-19 national emergency. In response to the CARES Act HUD published Notice PIH 2020-5 effective April 10, 2020, which implemented many waivers and alternative requirements to existing HUD regulations that Public Housing agencies may consider for adoption, in order to allow for the safe and effective administration of HCV programs.
The Housing Authority City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) has reviewed these waiver options and has chosen to implement those that enable the agency to continue to provide critical housing services to our local community. The adopted waivers will temporarily override the policies and regulations outlined in the Section 8 Administrative Plan.
Click here to view HACSB’s adopted waivers.
ATTENTION LANDLORDS: please click here to access the landlord page for additional information.
HACSB PARTICIPANTS/RESIDENTS
Decrease in income due to COVID-19
For those receiving Section 8 assistance and subsidized rent (rent changes with income):
Click here for information for Section 8 participants and Housing Authority residents regarding decrease in income
Click here for form to report decrease in income
For those living in the Housing Authority’s Workforce Housing and non-subsidized units (rent is fixed, does NOT change with income)::
Click here for information regarding deferral of rent as a result of loss of income due to COVID-19
Click here for COVID-19 Request for Deferral of Rent form.
Resources/Information for Residents/Participants
Click here for the April 2020 Community Times Newsletter for resources/information due to COVID-19
Information on Economic Impact/Stimulus Payments
Click here for information from the IRS.
Information on the coronavirus from the Centers on Disease Control (CDC):
Information on the coronavirus from the County of Santa Barbara:
COVID-19 Joint Response Effort for Santa Barbara County (Financial Assistance)
United Way of Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara Foundation, and Hutton Parker Foundation are leading a countywide collaborative with members of the Foundation Roundtable to provide assistance to individuals and families as well as organizations actively engaged in assistance efforts for members of the community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Joint Response Community Resources for Santa Barbara County