“Put your heart, mind and soul into even your smallest acts.  This is the secret to success.” –Swami Sivananda

 

COVID-19 Protocols

The Houma- Terrebonne Housing Authority is working diligently to ensure the safety of our residents and staff in this time of a national health crisis. We are closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation regarding the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

 

HTHA will continue following the guidance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

COVID-19 Prevention and Protection

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Words from the Executive Director

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Summer is a time for enjoying the outdoors with family and friends. We all look forward to barbecues, swimming, playing sports and boiling crawfish. Summer sun can also get a little sweltering sometimes. Please drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration, use sunscreen to protect yourself and your family in this heat, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes, and wear light colors to keep cool.

As a reminder, swimming pools are not allowed in Senator Circle.  Page 6 of HTHA’s Dwelling Lease at Section 4. Resident Obligations: N. 3. Swimming pools, waterslides, jump cages, bounce houses, and any other miscellaneous and or recreational structures shall not be constructed and or erected on any of the properties.  

With hurricane season here, I ask that you all pay close attention to the weather.  The safety and well-being of the residents of the Houma Terrebonne Housing Authority, both Bayou Towers and Senator Circle, is management’s greatest priority.  Due to Terrebonne Parish central location to the Gulf of Mexico, it is one of the most vulnerable locations in America to a Hurricane.  Even heavy rain event can and usually does cause severe flooding in our community.  I am asking that everyone begin preparing now in case you have to evacuate.  Please ensure that your disaster supply kit is easily accessible and has all the things that are essential for you and your family.  Being prepared today can possibly help you and your family minimize the impact of the storm. 

Since COVID-19, the shared areas at Bayou Towers have been disinfected nightly.  The treatment areas also include hallways, elevators, stairwells, restrooms, and lobbies.  With the help of the Parish Government, this will continue nightly until further notice. I hope all of you are still following guidelines and suggestions set forth by officials.

The Parish President, the Honorable Gordon Dove, announces that the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Department of Housing and Human Services is now accepting appointments to apply for rent, mortgage, and utility assistance.  All households that have suffered a loss of income related to COVID-19 are encouraged to apply.  To schedule an appointment, call (985) 873-6817.  There will be no walk-ins, appointments only. applications will be taken from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday at 809 Barrow Street.

As always, The Housing Authority staff will continue to serve you and perform its duties and responsibilities in the most efficient and effective way possible.

Sincerely,

Nikita Gilton, Executive Director

Health & Safety

Beat the Heat

Below are a few tips to help beat the heat:

• Stay hydrated.
• Wear loose fitting clothing, preferably of light color
• Spend much time as possible in the shade
• Try to eat smaller meals
• Take a cold shower or bath
• Use sunscreen and avoid direct sun as much as possible

Health & Safety

 School is Around the Corner

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RISK CONTROL TIP

RISK CONTROL TIP

 School’s in.

Be extra alert for kids on the move.

Barbecue and Outdoor Grill Safety

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ALWAYS

• Use long handed barbecue tools and flame-retardant mitts. A flare up could occur and burn you if you are not prepared. Also, coals are HOT – they can reach up to 1000 degrees F.
• Keep decorations away from the grill. Decorations like hanging baskets, pillows and umbrellas look pretty AND provide fuel for a fire. To make matters worse, today’s decor is mostly made of artificial fibers that burn fast and hot, making this tip even more important.

 NEVER

• Wear loose clothing while grilling. Watch for dangling apron strings and shirt sleeves.
• Leave a grill unattended or leave children unattended near a hot grill. Unattended fires can double in size every minute. Plan ahead so that all of your other food prep chores are done and you can focus on grilling.
• Overload your grill with food. This applies especially to fatty meats. The basic reason for this tip is that if too much fat drips on the flames at once, it can cause a large flare-up that could light nearby things on fire.
• Use a grill indoors even if ventilation is provided. People often think it will be safe to use a grill, especially a small one, indoors. NOT TRUE. In addition to the fire hazard, grills release carbon monoxide, the deadly colorless, odorless gas. Gas and charcoal, both, need well-ventilated areas or the carbon monoxide they release can kill you, or your family. Until the charcoal is completely extinguished do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals.
• Use gasoline or kerosene to start charcoal. Both can cause an explosion. After using charcoal starter fluid, cap the container and move it away from the fire.
• Add any type of flammable liquid starter once the charcoal is burning. The flame could travel up the stream of fluid and burn you.

Resident Reminders (vertical column right side)

• Bayou Towers resident meeting is on the first Thursday of every month at 2:30p.m.
• Senator Circle resident meeting is on the second Thursday of every month at 2:30p.m.
• It is especially important that problems in your unit are reported to the work order clerk.
• HTHA’s Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy require that you pay the amount of rent due to HTHA by the 5^th business day of the month.
• Community service work requirement: 8 hours per month unless employed, elderly, disabled, participating in Economic Self-Sufficiency program, or enrolled in a qualifying state program. (PHA will monitor family’s compliance annually and if the family fails to comply, the PHA will not renew the lease unless the family and the PHA enter into an agreement to bring the tenant current with owed hours.
• Do not cook and leave your apartment.
• Do not store pots, bowls, boxes, towels, potholders, or any other items sitting on burners on stove when burners are off. 
• HTHA must ensure unit is kept clean, sanitary, and in good repair.
• Tenant must report any and all problems.
• Tenant must clean-up around exterior of unit.

 

 

From Your Dwelling Lease

Section N, part 3, states; Swimming pools, waterslides, jump cages, bounce houses and any other miscellaneous and or recreational structures shall not be constructed and or erected on any of the PHA property.

 

Requesting Work Orders:

When you call the work order phone number, be sure to state the following:

• Your name and address, including apartment number
• Your work order request or emergency
• Your telephone numbers

 

*You must also inform the HTHA representative if we can enter your unit if you will not be home.

 

In the case of an emergency after regular work hours or on weekends please note that the following are considered emergencies:

• Sewer Back-ups/Stoppage
• Clogged/Overflowing Toilets
• Broken Water Pipes
• Electrical Problems
• No Heat in The Unit

EMERGENCIES AFTER NORMAL Housing Authority WORK HOURS 985-876-4778.

HTHA Implements Louisiana Phase 2 Action Plan

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Effective Friday, June 5, 2020 until further notice all offices will be closed to the public and we will adhere to the following procedures:

Low Income Public Housing/Scattered Sites and Maintenance

Applicant Interviews: All in-person intake appointments are cancelled and will continue to be conducted by telephone, email, and mail.

Lease Signings for New Residents: All new resident lease signings will be completed by appointment only at the sole discretion of the Housing Authority to ensure resident and employee safety.

Inspections: New admission inspections will be completed. Annual inspections are postponed until further notice.

Interim/Annual Certifications: All Annual and Interim certifications will be completed by telephone, email, and mail.

Work Orders: Emergency work orders will be completed. All routine work orders are postponed until further notice.

Resident Services: All resident services events are postponed until further notice.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Vendors and Guests are required to wear a mask at all times while on any property or visiting any administrative office.

Washer and Dryer Etiquette (Please include clip art or stock image of something relatable)

You have the power to save money and energy. These tips are designed to help you choose effective ways to reduce your energy bills:

• Remove lint from dryers after use
• Do not try to pry open the from automatic doors
• Do not overload washers with washing detergent (powder, liquid, etc.)
• Do your best to keep the room relatively neat, cleaning up your detergent spills
• Do not leave dryer sheets in the dryer. Throw them away when you take your clothes out of the dryer.
• Never stop another person’s laundry in mid-wash or dry to use it. It is not only considered rude, but you never know what is inside the machine

Our Home, Our Community

Senator Circle is accepting applications for one, three- and four-bedroom units. The waiting list for the Bayou Towers property, for seniors, is short and remains open!

 

Hurricane Season Is Here. Be Ready!

The safety and well-being of the residents of the Houma

Terrebonne Housing Authority, both Bayou Towers and Senator Circle, is management’s greatest priority.  Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30.  It is time to make all preparation for your safety now so if and when a storm arrives, you are ready to act appropriately.  By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.

 

Everyone needs to be prepared for the unexpected. There are six basic necessities that you should stock for your disaster supply kit:  water, non-perishable food, clothing, and bedding, first aid supplies, tools and emergency supplies and special items.  Now is the time to start assembling your kit to allow for immediate action during an emergency. 

 

It is imperative that you update your contact information.  Hurricane Preparedness will be discussed monthly at the ED/Resident meetings.  Take all warnings to evacuate seriously and respond accordingly.

 

For residents who have medical, special needs or will need transportation during an evacuation of Terrebonne Parish, please contact the Terrebonne Council on Again at 985-868-8411.

To pre-register for Disaster Food Stamp Assistance, please call 888-524-3578.