Stronger Together has been our mantra as we responded to the unprecedented Covid-19 crisis. We were relieved when the Province declared us an essential service. We knew we were – but we needed the green light to carry on the crucial work of keeping our tenants safe and well.
Our offices may have been closed, but we were busier than ever! Houselink’s team proved their reputation for going above and beyond, nimbly adjusting services to ensure the safety of our tenants and themselves.
Early on, we ensured every staff member was competent in using masks, shields, gowns and gloves. When we sadly closed the community kitchens and social recreation programs that so many of our participants value, we were still able to ensure our participants could eat well. Thanks to the Community Food Centres Canada who supplemented meals prepared through our Food Program, we were able to provide 6 healthy meals per week in 5 buildings through most of the spring.
In our shared houses where social distancing is challenging, we created safety kits, including user-friendly information based on Ministry of Health guidelines, hand sanitizers, masks, signage and cleaning products. We partnered with local health units to provide mobile testing wherever tenants in shared homes wanted to be tested. Should any tenant contract Covid-19, we were prepared with isolation units created jointly with other supportive housing partners.