February 2025 Public Housing Resident Newsletter
Table of Contents:
- CEO Message – Listening and Leading
- Feature Story – 2024 Customer Service Survey Results
- Safe & Sound – Be Prepared: Severe Weather Awareness Week – February 4-8
- Community Connect
- Maintenance Matters
- Fair Housing Fact
CEO Message
Listening and Leading
Dear Residents,
As we move into February, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for your partnership and trust in County Housing. This month, we celebrate the season of connection and kindness, and I encourage everyone to find moments to uplift one another and build a sense of community.
At County Housing, we remain focused on enhancing the resources and support available to you. Whether it’s through improving services, maintaining safe and welcoming homes, or fostering partnerships with organizations that can help meet your needs, our goal is to ensure you feel supported every step of the way.
I also want to share my appreciation for your feedback. Your input plays a vital role in shaping the way we serve you. If you have ideas or concerns, please don’t hesitate to share them with us. Together, we can continue to build a community we are all proud to call home.
Wishing you a warm and wonderful February!
Sincerely,
Shannon Koenig
CEO, County Housing
Feature Story
2024 Customer Service Survey Results
Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful winter break and are entering 2025 refreshed and ready for new opportunities. As we kick off this exciting year, we are thrilled to share some great news with you!
County Housing has completed its third annual Customer Service Survey, collecting valuable feedback from our residents in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, public housing communities, and our landlords. This survey offers insights into how we’re doing and highlights areas where we can improve to better serve you.
The results show the progress we’ve made and guide us in enhancing our services. We’re already working on initiatives to improve response times, streamline processes, and strengthen our interactions with residents. These efforts are designed to address the key themes that emerged from your feedback.
As we move into 2025, one of our primary goals is to engage even more with residents and landlords. By expanding engagement and communication, we’ll gather a broader range of insights to help us serve our community even better.
Your feedback is essential – it helps us celebrate our successes, identify areas for improvement, and ensure we remain in tune with your needs. The results of the 2024 survey are now available on our website, and we encourage you to take a look.
Thank you for being an important part of our community and helping us make County Housing a place where everyone feels supported, valued, and empowered. Together, we’ll continue to deliver excellent service rooted in respect, compassion, and excellence.
Here’s to a successful and inspiring 2025!
Safe & Sound
Be Prepared: Severe Weather Awareness Week February 4-8
Severe Weather Awareness Week is February 4-8, and it’s the perfect time to ensure you and your family are prepared for unexpected weather events. Being prepared can make all the difference, whether it’s heavy rain, strong winds, or dangerous storms.
Here are a few tips to help you stay safe:
1. Know Your Alerts
Stay informed with weather updates by signing up for emergency alerts on your phone and regularly checking your local news channels.
2. Create an Emergency Plan
Make sure everyone in your home knows where to go in case of severe weather. Identify a safe spot, like a basement or an interior room without windows.
3. Prepare an Emergency Kit
Put together a kit with essentials such as:
- Bottled water and non-perishable food
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Medications and important documents
- A first aid kit
- Blankets and phone chargers
4. Secure Outdoor Items
If severe weather is in the forecast, bring in or secure outdoor furniture, trash bins, and anything that could blow away or cause damage.
5. Check in on Your Neighbors
During severe weather, check on elderly or vulnerable neighbors to ensure they’re safe and have what they need.
Severe weather can strike quickly, but being prepared will help keep you and your family safe. Take time this week to review your plans, gather supplies, and discuss what to do in an emergency.
For more safety tips, visit Ready.gov or follow updates from the National Weather Service.
Stay safe and prepared!
Winter Weather Preparedness
As snow and ice become more common, it’s crucial to be ready for winter conditions. Here are some additional tips to ensure you’re safe during winter storms:
Car Preparedness: Make sure your vehicle is ready for winter. Always keep a shovel and ice scraper in your car to clear off snow and ice. It’s also a good idea to keep blankets, a flashlight, and non-perishable snacks in your car, in case you get stuck.
Stay Safe When Driving: If you must travel, ensure your car is stocked with winter essentials. Drive cautiously on snow and ice, leave plenty of space between vehicles, and avoid sudden movements.
Layer Up: Dress in warm layers and wear appropriate footwear to stay dry and prevent frostbite or hypothermia in extreme cold.
As we continue through the winter season, staying informed and prepared for potential severe weather is important. At County Housing, our top priority is the safety of our staff and residents. Please be aware that in the event of extreme weather, County Housing may close or alter hours of operation. Before heading into the office during bad weather, we encourage you to check our website for updates or call our main office number to confirm our status.
Taking a few minutes to verify whether the office is open can help ensure your safety and avoid unnecessary trips. Stay safe, and let’s all work together to stay prepared during Severe Weather Awareness Week and beyond.
Community Connect
Supporting Our Community Together.
Welcome to “Community Connect,” a section dedicated to supporting our County Housing community together. Here, you’ll find resources, events, and initiatives designed to strengthen our neighborhoods, foster connections, and provide you with the tools and information you need. Together, we can continue to build a thriving community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Partner Spotlight: Rx Outreach Making Medications Affordable for All
At County Housing, we’re proud to partner with Rx Outreach, a nonprofit online pharmacy dedicated to helping individuals access the medications they need at an affordable price. With a mission rooted in compassion, Rx Outreach believes that no one should have to choose between filling a prescription and meeting basic needs like feeding their family.
With a team of over 70 licensed pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and patient care advocates, Rx Outreach ensures that every patient receives personalized care and support. Their strong partnerships with donors and pharmaceutical companies enable them to offer medications at a fraction of the cost you’d find at traditional pharmacies.
If you’re looking for an affordable and reliable way to get your medications, Rx Outreach is here to help. Learn more and get started at rxoutreach.org.
Maintenance Matters
Preventing Moisture Issues and Indoor Air Quality Concerns in February
As we head into February, the weather can be unpredictable, bringing a mix of cold snaps and occasional warmer days. This fluctuation can lead to a few common household issues, particularly when it comes to moisture and indoor air quality. Here are some simple tips to help keep your home comfortable, healthy, and moisture-free during this time of year:
1. Manage Indoor Humidity Levels
Winter indoor air can become dry, but when temperatures fluctuate, moisture levels can increase, leading to condensation on windows and walls. Too much moisture in your home can result in mold growth or damage to your furniture and walls. Use a dehumidifier if needed to maintain a balanced humidity level between 30-50%. This will keep your home dry, prevent condensation, and improve your overall indoor air quality.
2. Keep Your Windows Dry
Condensation on windows is a common issue in winter, especially when temperatures swing. To prevent water buildup, try wiping down your windows regularly to keep excess moisture from accumulating. If you notice persistent moisture, it could be a sign of inadequate ventilation or insulation, so be sure to report it to maintenance if the issue continues.
3. Improve Ventilation
As you close up your windows to keep out the cold, it’s easy to forget that proper ventilation is essential for maintaining fresh, healthy air indoors. Consider running exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to remove excess moisture and improve air circulation. If you use a space heater, make sure it’s vented properly and keep it away from fabrics or flammable materials.
A quick note on improving ventilation is to keep your furniture a couple of inches away from exterior walls. This will improve airflow and reduce the possibility of condensation
4. Report Any Concerns
If you notice any unusual moisture buildup, drafts, or other issues that may be related to winter conditions, please report them to maintenance promptly. Early detection can help prevent bigger issues as we move into the spring months.
By taking a few simple steps now, you can help keep your home in great shape and avoid problems that may arise from winter’s changing temperatures. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact our maintenance team.
Fair Housing Fact:
Know Your Rights!
Fair Housing laws protect your right to live in a community free from housing discrimination. Under the Fair Housing Act, it is illegal for landlords, property managers, or anyone involved in housing to deny you housing opportunities based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.
For public housing residents, this means fair and equal treatment in all aspects of your housing experience, from applying for housing to maintenance services. If you believe you’ve experienced discrimination, you have the right to file a complaint.
You can contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at 1-800-669-9777 or visit hud.gov/fairhousing to learn more.
Together, we can ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable housing and the opportunity to build a brighter future.
Updates & Announcements
County Housing 2025 Holiday Office Closures
Please be aware that County Housing will be closed on the following holidays in 2025:
- President’s Day – Monday, February 17
- Memorial Day – Monday, May 26
- Juneteenth – Thursday, June 19
- Independence Day – Friday, July 4
- Labor Day – Monday, September 1
- Veterans Day – Tuesday, November 11
- Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 27
- Day After Thanksgiving – Friday, November 28
Additionally, County Housing will be closed for the holiday season from Thursday, December 25, 2025, Thursday, January 1, 2026, and will reopen on Friday, January 2, 2026.
Please plan accordingly, and we hope you enjoy your holidays!
