COVID-19 Information for AHA Residents and the Athens Community
March 29, 2020

As the COVID-19 health crisis continues across our nation, the Athens Housing Authority will provide updates to our residents and the public on steps we are taking to protect staff and residents during this time.  We must all remember that observing the rules of our community’s “new normal” are important to protect the health of all of us.

As of now, the Mayor and Commission of Athens-Clarke County have issued a “shelter in place” ordinance until April 7, 2020.  Please understand that this may be extended depending on health concerns facing our community.  Local COVID-19 information can be found at www.accgov.com/coronavirus.  Information on this site is updated several times a week.  During this time, Athens residents are asked to stay at home, though it is realized that many must still report to work.  Those individuals are asked to maintain social distancing and practice frequent handwashing. The ACC website also provides a list of what is considered an essential business.

Residents recently received letters in the mail advising them of several changes to contacting the AHA office, how to make rent payments, and calling in maintenance concerns.  Those changes include the following:

Do not come to the AHA Central Office unless requested to do so.  You may conduct business with the AHA in the following ways:

  • Rent may be paid online at  www.athenshousing.org by clicking on the online link.  If you do not currently have an online account, you will need to set one up.  Here are instructions for setting up your account. You may also pay rent by mail; or, place your check or money order in the drop box at the AHA office former drive-up window.
  • If you need to review or check your personal account information, please do this online at www.athenshousing.org and click on the pay online link.  Again, you will need to establish an online account if you do not already have one.
  • Changes in personal circumstances such as family composition, income, etc. that are required reporting should be sent by email to changes@athenshousing.org . You may also call to request a change form to be mailed to you or stop by the AHA drive-up window to obtain the form.
  • AHA staff will be calling Denney Tower, New Scattered West, and Comer residents with directions regarding upcoming Annual Re-exams in April.  Face-to-face interviews will not be conducted.
  • Most administrative employees will be working from home.  However, they will have full access to our computer systems, files and databases.
  • Maintenance staff are still on duty.  One telephone number will be used to call in work orders during the normal business day, nights, and/or weekends.  The telephone to use for maintenance concerns is (706) 425-5353.   To protect you and our staff, we will only be responding to a modified emergency work order list.  This list is a separate attachment with this news release. Please click on the attachment at the end of this news release. 
  • Please keep a safe social distance of 6 feet from maintenance staff throughout the completion of the work order process.  Our maintenance staff will be following safety procedures that may slow our response.  Please understand that the safety of all concerned is important to us.

Residents with children are aware that Governor Brain Kemp issued an Executive Order that all schools across the state would be closed until April 24, 2020.  Many teachers from the Clarke County School District are trying to continue learning through this time by offering lessons online.  Check with your child’s teacher by email for more information.  In addition, the CCSD web site has information regarding accessing resources for families.  Go to  www.clarke.k12.ga.us for more information.

Lastly, during this time of uncertainty, remember to check on older adult neighbors by telephone, email, or putting a note on the door.   These are challenging times.  The AHA is trying to minimize the impact on our customers and we will all work to adapt to changing circumstances. Please check back to www.athenshousing.org for further updates over the coming weeks.

COVID-19 Modified Work Order List