We have put together some frequently asked questions to help explain how we are responding to the coronavirus outbreak. We will continue to update this page should we need to change our response as the situation evolves.
Q. What should I do to avoid catching coronavirus?
We recommend that you follow the official medical and health advice that the government have provided. You can find the latest advice at more at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ and www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response.
Q. Will coronavirus impact the services South Lakes Housing can deliver?
South Lakes Housing has contingency plans in place to allow us to continue to provide essential services to you in the event that a significant number of staff become unwell. SLH colleagues will be working from home and using telephone and other digital methods if they need to contact you instead of visiting your home or face to face meetings.
Q. If I get sick due to coronavirus, will you still come to do repairs at my home?
Before visiting your home, an SLH staff member will contact you to ask if you have any symptoms or are self-isolating. We will only carry out emergency repairs that present an immediate risk to safety, security or health in homes where a member of your household has symptoms of the coronavirus.
Q. Is your reception open?
Our reception is now closed. You can still get in touch with us over the phone on 0300 303 8540, email, customerservices@southlakeshousing.co.uk website and social media channels.
Q. What will you do if I have difficulty paying my rent because my income is reduced due to the impact of coronavirus?
If you are struggling to pay your rent, please contact our Income Management Team as soon as possible on 0300 303 8540. They will be able to advise you on how to make a claim for appropriate benefits and can arrange a suitable repayment agreement with you to address any outstanding arrears. We will approach this on a case-by-case basis to help people through this challenging time.
Q. Government guidance suggests that I am in a vulnerable group- what does this mean?
The Government has said that persons over 70, those with underlying health conditions and pregnant women should put additional measures in place to protect themselves. Further advice will be issued by the government who is moving to advise this group to self-isolate. For SLH this means we will be limiting visits to your home for an emergency and essential repairs only.
The Government have launched a service where extremely vulnerable people can get help getting deliveries of essential supplies like food. You can register yourself, or on behalf of someone else here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable
Q. Are there any specific measures being put in place in Sheltered Schemes?
As many residents of sheltered schemes are at risk we will be limiting visits to all residents of these schemes to emergency and essential repairs only. We advise residents to ask visitors to limit their visits and not to enter the building at all if they have symptoms of the virus. We are also strongly recommending that residents do not use communal facilities and do not hold any social gatherings. We have adjusted the cleaning of the communal entrances/ lounges, however, it is up to residents to limit their use for their own protection. All sheltered scheme residents will be contacted by phone to explain this more fully during the next few days.
Q. What community support are you offering?
We will be carrying out welfare calls to our tenants who are over 70 and are vulnerable providing them with advice and signposting them to the various voluntary groups that have been set up within their community.
If you have any concerns of support needs about yourself or those close to you, please dont hesitate to contact us to see if we can help.
The following websites contain useful guidance:
