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BOSTON, MA – With evolving news of COVID-19, the Boston Housing Authority is announcing heightened restrictions at its Chauncy Street Headquarters and public housing developments in order to limit in-person contact and protect BHA residents, voucher holders and staff. These changes go into effect Wednesday, March 18, 2020.

BHA will be limiting public access to its headquarters and resident service center at 52/56 Chauncy Street, in order to restrict foot traffic and in-person meetings with the general public, while staff continue to provide vital services by mail, phone, and electronic technology for the foreseeable future. In addition, visitation to BHA’s Elderly/Disabled Public Housing Developments will be limited to primary caregivers, service providers and family necessary to the health and wellbeing of residents.  While BHA staff will remain on-site at all BHA housing developments throughout the city, we are asking visits to be limited and communications be conducted by phone and email. 

In-person appointments at BHA’s Leased Housing, Civil Rights, Language Access, Legal, and Occupancy Departments will be conducted by phone and through the use of electronic technology or will be rescheduled, as appropriate.  BHA’s public safety, maintenance and management staff will remain on site and available to residents as needed. Regularly scheduled leased and public housing annual inspections are postponed, but inspections will continue to address maintenance issues.  BHA staff will conduct regular sanitation and cleaning to keep residents safe.

It is our priority to ensure that we continue to serve our residents, voucher holders and applicants, while we practice social distancing. Critical services will remain fully operational through this challenging time.

BHA’s Chauncy Street Headquarters:
Applicants:  Applicants may print a CHAMP/BHA application from the BHA’s website at bostonhousing.org, request a mailed copy or check the status of a current application by calling the status Line at (617) 988-3400, Monday-Friday between 9:00AM and 5:00PM.  Applications should be submitted by mail whenever possible at BHA-Occupancy Department, 56 Chauncy Street, Boston, MA 02111 or if necessary applications can be dropped off at BHA’s housing service center at 56 Chauncy Street.
BHA Residents: If you are a BHA resident in need of assistance, please contact your housing manager or call the general switchboard at 617-988-4000.
Voucher Holders: If you have a BHA voucher and need assistance, please call your leasing officer or call the general switchboard at 617-988-4400. 
Translation Services: Those needing translation services to conduct BHA business should continue to call the BHA’s Language Line at 617-988-4001. 
For other business or if you are not sure who to call: Phone numbers for each BHA department can be found on our departments page on the BHA website, or you can call our general switchboard at 617-988-4000.

At BHA Public Housing Developments: 
BHA will prohibit nonessential visitation from the general public into its Elderly/Disabled public housing developments for the foreseeable future. Visitors will be limited to family, primary caregivers and service providers necessary to the health and wellbeing of residents.  We are also strongly discouraging visitation to BHA’s Family developments.

BHA General Policies:
BHA is working closely with the City of Boston and the Boston Public Health Commission to implement best practices and heightened safety and cleaning procedures for all BHA sites, including its Chauncy Street headquarters and across its developments in order to ensure the safety of its residents, voucher holders, applicants and staff.

These changes include:

• Requiring employees who are sick to stay home and adhere to medical advice in accordance with BPHC Guidelines.
• Advising employees and residents to regularly wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or more.
• A moratorium on all non-essential eviction proceedings for the foreseeable future.
• Postponement and cancellation of gatherings of 25 people or more in accordance with Mayor Walsh’s City Guidance on 3/12.
• Heightened communication and travel restrictions for all BHA staff.
• Special attention is paid to cleaning frequently touched surfaces in common areas, including drinking fountains, faucet handles, door hardware, push plates and light switches, and elevator buttons.

For more information about COVID-19, please visit BPHC.org.

Read BHA Administrator Kate Bennett's letter to residents RE: Coronavirus.