Dear Maikers, Members, Stakeholders and Friends,
One of our core beliefs is Safe and Sound. This means we are taking proactive measures to promote health, safety and stability for our members and Maikers as we respond to the development of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in our community. We recognize that COVID-19 is having and will continue to have many impacts on our members and Maikers, and our team is is working behind the scenes to implement our Infectious Disease Response Plan in a way that best serves our mission.
The following are some of the things we are doing immediately to best keep everyone Safe and Sound and to promote social distancing during this uncertain time. Please note we will continue to update this list of actions as more information is known:
- Maiker understands the significant impacts of the COVID-19 State of Emergency and highly encourages members who may struggle to meet their rent payments to contact us to set up a payment plan that is customized to your individual situation. As our offices are closed to the public please contact us through our website or our general email address or by calling our general line 303.227.2075 (Video Relay – 1.866.327.8877 / CO relay – 1.800.659.2656). For property specific inquiries, please contact your property representative or utilize our general contact lines for communication
- Effective March 16, all Maiker offices will remain closed to the public for all non-essential engagements during this COVID-19 Colorado State of Emergency. While we are primarily working remotely we will have a small staff presence throughout our communities facilitating essential, prescheduled appointments governed by adherence to social distancing best practices of maintaining 6ft distancing between people. We greatly appreciate your collaboration during this state of emergency and strict commitment to social distancing and excellent public hygiene. Contact us through our website or our general email address or by calling our general line 303.227.2075 (Video Relay – 1.866.327.8877 / CO relay – 1.800.659.2656). For property specific inquiries, please contact your property representative or utilize our general contact lines for communication
- Also announced March 13, across all Maiker communities we will institute our Property Ops Emergency Maintenance Work Order Protocol, a process similar to our after-hours on call dynamic. This protocol will be evaluated on a weekly basis until we are through this state of emergency.
- Issued a 60-day moratorium on all late fees across our housing portfolio
- Cancelled all non-essential meetings at our three high risk Senior communities until further notice
- Issued a gathering policy across all other Maiker communities limiting meetings to 10 people or less, ensuring social distancing of 6ft between participants, hosting meetings outside if possible, opening windows, requiring all participants to wash their hands before entering the meeting and cleaning all high touch meeting surfaces before and after meetings
- Issued a policy requiring all non-essential meetings with partners to be conducted via teleconference
- Posted the CDC’s COVID-19 Stop the Spread Posters in all Leasing Offices in both English and Spanish
- Increased our cleaning practices in common areas and offices to ensure high touch areas are cleaned no less than twice a day in addition to the meeting cleaning policy
- Implemented a no hand shaking or side hug policy
- All Housing Choice Voucher Program participants who are recertifying will receive a self-addressed stamped return envelope to mail in their documents and we will be flexible for participants who may experience delays in responding due to COVID-19
- We are actively evaluating all programs and services that require in-person gatherings (i.e. rent and utility workshops) to find safer ways for participation. We will share updates as new ways of engaging are determined
Moving forward we encourage all members to utilize the following email for questions and comments: info@maikerhp.org. This email in addition to our website and social media channels are monitored throughout the day and are the best ways to reach us as we work together to stay safe and sound. We highly recommend our members conduct their business with us remotely via email and phone. We will continue to adapt our policies and procedures to accomplish this with you in real time.
Keeping our Members, Maikers and Friends healthy is a community effort. We strongly urge everyone to take these essential health precautions:
- Stay home when you are sick and keep your children at home when they are sick.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Avoid sharing cups and eating utensils with others.
- Practice social distancing – stay 6 feet apart from one another during this emergency.
- Limit attending non-essential self-organized community meetings if you are in a high-risk category.
- Utilize info@maikerhp.org for questions and comments.
We believe diversity is our strength. Our core belief of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging is more than just a saying – it’s a way of being that drives our behaviors. This is especially important during difficult situations like we are facing now. COVID-19 is a global public health issue affecting all of us. No person, country or ethnic group is at fault. We must treat each other with warmth, grace and joy – now more than ever. Maiker will not condone any hateful or racist words or actions. If we all embrace this requirement, we will feel better because of it.
Please understand that the approach outlined above represents our best thinking today, but this is a rapidly changing situation. As we know more, we will communicate with you the changes or additions to these plans as the situation dictates.
Thank you for helping us to prioritize the health, safety and wellbeing of our community.
Peter LiFari
Executive Director, Maiker Housing Partners
Additional Resources:
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Colorado: This page contains all of the links below along with all media releases from CDPHE regarding COVID-19
- COVID-19 Facts for Coloradans: This link leads to information about the disease, how to avoid spreading it, and other actions to take to remain safe.
- COVID-19 Recommendations: This link leads to recommendations from CDPHE in consultation with the CDC for how to handle COVID-19 regarding high risk populations, public events, workplaces, and schools.
- COVID-19 Testing: This link will take you through all of the proper steps surrounding how and when someone should go about getting a test for COVID-19.
- COVID-19 Information and Resources from HUD: This link leads to recommendations from HUD for housing providers.
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