our resources and response to

COVID 19

Overview

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is closely monitoring a pandemic of the 2019 novel (new) coronavirus or COVID-19. This new respiratory virus was first identified in the city of Wuhan in China’s Hubei Province and continues to infect people in China and around the world, including the United States.

On March 6, ISDH confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in a Hoosier with recent travel. On March 16, ISDH reported the first death in Indiana due to COVID-19. On May 18, Indiana confirmed its first case of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) that has been associated with COVID-19.

ISDH is working with federal and local partners, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to respond to this evolving public health situation.  Please click here for the most recent press releases related to COVID-19.

Please contact your healthcare provider if you experience symptoms of COVID-19 including fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Please immediately seek care if you experience symptoms such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake and bluish lips or face.

General questions from the public or healthcare provider inquiries about COVID-19 may be directed to the ISDH COVID-19 Call Center at the toll-free number:
877-826-0011 (
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily for general public, Monday through Friday for healthcare providers).

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Vaccine Registration

Vaccines are now available for Indiana residents ages 12+. Use the following link to register for your vaccine today!

https://vaccine.coronavirus.in.gov/en-US/

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Public Health Information and Best Practices

Updated:  May 21, 2021

The Indiana State Department of Health and other health organizations have issued instructions on how to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. We encourage all tenants to stay informed and follow the advice of these health agencies, and to contact BHA by phone, email or the website rather than in person.

Phone: (317) 233-1325

Phone: (812) 349-2543

Important Precautions

  • Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.
  • Stay 6 feet apart from others who don’t live with you.
  • Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
  • Get a COVID-19 vaccine.

If You are at Risk of Getting Very Sick

  • People of any age, even healthy young adults and children, can get COVID-19.
  • People who are older or have certain underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.
  • Other groups may be at higher risk for getting COVID-19 or having more severe illness.

Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine

  • Authorized COVID-19 vaccines can help protect you from COVID-19.
  • You should get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you (Currently ages 12+)
  • Once you are fully vaccinated, you should be able to do the things you may have stopped doing due to the pandemic without wearing a mask or physical distancing (unless required by federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, business or workplace guidance)

What to Do if You're Sick

  • Stay home except to get medical care. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider and get tested.
  • Isolate yourself from others, including those living in your household, to prevent spread to them and the people that they may have contact with like grandparents.
  • Call 911 if you are having emergency warning signs, like trouble breathing and pain or pressure in chest.

How to Get a Test for Current Infection

  • Visit your state, tribal, local, and territorial health department’s website to look for the latest local information on testing.
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested. You and your healthcare provider might consider either in-person testing, an at-home collection kit, or an at-home test.
  • If you have symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have not been vaccinated and have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, it is still important to stay home even if you are not tested.

What Symptoms to Watch For

  • The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are:

 

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea

 

  • Other symptoms are signs of serious illness. If someone has trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, or difficulty staying awake, get medical care immediately.

Important Updates

As of Tuesday January 11th, 2022, the BHA Main Office (1007 N Summit St.) is closed to walk in’s. Please schedule an appointment to enter the building.

Electronic reporting of interim changes (changes of income and/or household composition) and annual re-certification forms will still be available online and in the main office. Please see below for more information on how to access, complete, and submit these online forms.

2021 Accepted Waivers

To view the 2021 CARES Act BHA accepted waivers click here. To view the Emergency Housing Vouchers BHA accepted waivers click here.

Interim Changes Information

To report any changes, increase or decrease, you must complete an interim change form that is available online by clicking here.

Changes to income and/or family composition should be reported in writing within fourteen calendar days of the occurrence. If you begin working, an interim change form should be completed within fourteen calendar days from the hire date.

Annual Renewal/Re-Certification Information

You may access the Annual Renewal/Re-Certification Form by clicking here.

Once completed, save the document to your computer, tablet or smartphone and then email the document to your case manager. Click here for the BHA staff directory. If you are completing the form using your smartphone, it is recommended that you use the Adobe Fill and Sign app available for free from the Google Play Store and/or Apple App Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  Will my housing assistance be interrupted?

A:  No.  BHA will continue to make timely Housing Assistance Payments on behalf of participant families.


Q:  I’m a Public Housing resident.  How should I pay my rent?

A:

  • Pay with a card over the phone by dialing 812.339.3491
  • Drop your rent payment off at the drop box located at the BHA entrance (checks or money orders only, please be sure to include your name, address, and telephone number with payment)
  • Mail your rent payment to BHA at 1007 N. Summit Street, Bloomington, IN 47404 (checks or money orders only, please be sure to include your name, address, and telephone number with payment)

Q:  I’ve experienced a decrease of income.  How can I report this change?

A:  To report any changes, increase or decrease, you must complete an interim change form that is available online by clicking here.

You may also obtain and complete the interim change form at the front desk of the BHA main office.  Changes to income and/or family composition must be reported in writing within fourteen calendar days of the occurrence.  If you begin working, an interim change form must be completed within fourteen calendar days from the hire date.  Calling to report a change will not be accepted.

You may also obtain and complete the interim change form at the BHA main office entrance.