COVID-19 Updates

The health and safety of our community is a top priority for East Deer Township staff and officials. We will continue to monitor the situation, and adjustments or cancellations will be communicated via the Township’s website and other available outlets. Below are the latest updates and resources regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

East Deer Township Municipal Access Impacts

PUBLIC NOTICE March 17, 2020: As everyone is aware, the Coronavirus matter is a rapidly evolving situation, Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, East Deer Township will be taking steps to limit the exposure or possible spread of Coronavirus within our municipal operations. We have no greater responsibility than to protect the health, safety and welfare of our community. By limiting public interaction and exposure, we hope to minimize the potential for employee’s illness and maintain proper staffing levels in all departments.

The Township Building, which shares the Police Department, Municipal Offices will remain on restricted access until further notice. Police operations will not be impacted by this policy. Municipal office staff will still be available by phone and email. Payments for the Township Water & Refuse bills will be accepted through mail and via drop box on Bellview Street near the rear entrance.

For all Township Water & Refuse bill payments. Check payments are preferred. If you pay by cash, please pay the exact amount listed on the bill. Any over payment will be applied as a credit to your account. If you are paying with cash, Please put into an envelope. On the front of the envelope indicate how much is in the envelope and your name and address. If you have questions about your payment amount, please contact the office at the information listed below. Thank you for your patience during this process.

From the Code Office. All property and building code inspections will be done by Appointment.

Thank you for your patience

East Deer Township Office #: 724-224-3434 ext. 4 | Email: eastdeermanager@outlook.com

East Deer Police Department Office #: 724-224-3434 ext. 2 | Non-emergency #: 412-473-3056 | EMERGENCY: 911

Declaration of Disaster – Related to COVID-19

March 17, 2020:

East Deer has enacted a Declaration of Disaster – Related to COVID-19. This action was not taken as a result of it being present in our community. There are no known cases of the virus in East Deer Township. This was done at the request of the County Emergency Management Department. The reason for their request is that in the event that we must take action and possibly incur costs associated with the virus that we can move quickly and will possibly be able to be reimbursed as a result of a Federal and State Declaration of Disaster.

The Coronavirus matter is a rapidly evolving situation. Therefore, East Deer Township will be taking steps to limit the exposure or possible spread of the Coronavirus within our Municipal operation. We have no greater responsibility than to protect the health, safety and welfare of our Community.

 – Anthony Taliani Jr., Presisent of East Deer Township Commissioners

Related documents:

• Signed Declaration of Disaster
• Declaration of Disaster Letter to Residents

Deer Lakes School District   ** Update*** Schools will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year

Deer Lakes School District will be closed from March 16, 2020 through March 27, 2020. If you or your family are in need of food during this unexpected break, the District will provide breakfast and lunch grab-and-go meals for Deer Lakes students. Meal pick up will be available at the High School entrance weekdays from 9-10 a.m. If you lack transportation for meal pickup, please contact Food Service Director, Jake Douglas at 724-265-5300 ext. 2114

COVID-19 Resources:

• Pennsylvania Department of Health Coronavirus Updates
• CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information & Updates

March 20, 2020

Governor Tom Wolf today announced the availability of low-interest loans for small businesses and eligible non-profits in all 67 counties in Pennsylvania through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The full release can be found here: http://j.mp/2QweqZU.

The CDC has launched a new “self-checker” on its website that allows individuals to answer a few question, and then offers advice. Most importantly, the tool also provides information on how to care for yourself at home. Visit http://j.mp/2QsphUr and click on the orange self-checker box in the lower right hand corner of the page.

March 23, 2020

The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) confirmed today that there have been 48 positive cases of COVID-19, and there are six individuals currently hospitalized. As with prior days, there is an expectation that there are additional cases that are not yet in the disease surveillance system.

Rumors and misinformation can be destructive and can even cause harmful behaviors that increase personal and public health risks. While we cannot realistically respond to every rumor, ACHD has created a page dedicated to addressing rumors about COVID-19. That page is available at https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Health-Department/Resources/COVID-19/Rumor-Control.aspx

Per Governor Wolf’s and Dr. Levine’s orders, businesses that were non-life sustaining were ordered to close their physical locations on March 19, at 8:00 PM. This order stands, only the enforcement timing will change and become effective on Monday, March 23, at 8:00 AM

452553026-UPDATED-Industry-Operation-Guidance-March-20-2020

452553495-Life-Sustaining-Business-FAQs

WAIVER EXTENSION, REVISED TIMING OF ENFORCEMENT Monday, March 23 at 800 AM

This afternoon, Governor Wolf issued a Stay-at-Home order for a number of counties, including Allegheny County. There is no curfew in place, but the order goes into place at 8 PM this evening and is in effect for two weeks. This order emphasizes that individuals in the county, to the extent possible, should stay at home and distance themselves from others. There is no change to the life-sustaining businesses and waivers that have previously been in place, or to the requirements for restaurants to limit their operations to take-out and delivery.

March 25, 2020 

This is a message from Allegheny Alerts.

Outdoor areas and restrooms in all nine parks remain open to the public. Engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, biking or running, is permitted under Governor Wolf’s Stay at Home order. There are more than 180 miles of multi use trails throughout the nine parks, and residents can go to www.alleghenycounty.us/parktrails to download the parks trail app or use the parks trail web tool. However, park users are strongly encouraged to practice physical distancing by staying at least six feet apart from each other. When passing on biking or running trails, please try to maintain proper physical distance as much as possible. Remember to cover coughs or sneezes with a sleeve or elbow, and not hands. And if you are sick, please stay at home!

The Allegheny County Health Department strongly discourages all contact sports and sporting activities with close contact during this time.

If park-goers choose to use restrooms, playground equipment, exercise equipment, benches or other outdoor items with touch surfaces, proper handwashing and/or use of hand sanitizer is strongly encouraged before and afterward.

Hartwood Acres Mansion, Boyce Park Nature Center, North Park Golf Course, North Park Latodami Nature Center and South Park Golf Course are closed through April 6.

All facility rentals are canceled through April 6, and customers will automatically receive full refunds. All park ranger and naturalist programs and activities are canceled through April 6. Star parties scheduled for April 3 and April 4 at Wagman Observatory in Deer Lakes Park are canceled. The Hartwood Acres Egg Hunt on April 4 is canceled, and registrants will automatically receive full refunds. Cookies with Cottontail at North Park on April 5 is canceled.

All sports programming scheduled to begin between April 1 and April 18 has been postponed by two weeks. This includes dek hockey, flag football, learn to ride a bike classes, mountain biking, soccer, softball, T-ball, ultimate frisbee and yoga. L.L. Bean programs in North Park are suspended through April 15. Tinkergarten classes have also been postponed until the week of April 20.

Park users who wish to cancel facility rentals or paid program registrations beyond April 6 will receive full refunds. Customers should email name, permit/activity number and phone number to webmaster.parks@alleghenycounty.us or call 412-350-2455, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:00 pm. This policy will remain in effect until further notice.

Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced that new funding is available to help small businesses impacted by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, through a new program under the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority’s (PIDA) Small Business First Fund, the COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program (CWCA).

The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) recently authorized the transfer of $40 million to the Small Business First Fund for CWCA. PIDA authorized making $60 million available to provide loans of $100,000 or less to for-profit businesses with 100 or fewer full-time employees. Funds are expected to become available this week.

More information can be found at: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-announces-financial-assistance-available-to-small-businesses/.

March 31, 2020 

A food distribution map has been developed to identify available food resources around the county. The map is searchable by a variety of fields, and includes descriptions, eligibility and contact information for many of the sites. It includes school “grab & go” sites, food pantries and other options and is regularly updated. The map can be found at https://tinyurl.com/pghfoodmap. It is also available at bit.ly/ACHDcovid-19 under Help for Residents.

April 6: My Mask Protects You, and Your Mask Protects Me

On Friday April 3, 2020, Governor Wolf recommended that all Pennsylvanians wear a protective mask when venturing out in public for essentials, visiting your healthcare provider, traveling on public transportation, or when you are feeling sick (coughing or sneezing). What does this mean exactly? Does it mean you should find masks that healthcare workers and first responders have? NO. You can wear any fabric or cloth mask. These homemade masks help to protect everyone else from the droplets created by you- the wearer. Instructions on how to make a homemade mask are below. If you do not have a mask or can’t make one, you can simply use a scarf or bandana to cover your mouth and nose.

Healthcare workers and first responders use N95 masks or surgical masks because they have a higher likelihood of exposure. You can support these frontline workers by NOT using the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that they need. You can wear a cloth or fabric mask, but it cannot be your sole method of defense. If you are doing the following in addition to wearing a mask, you can maximize your prevention efforts:

• Practice social distancing
• Wash your hands frequently
• Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow
• Avoid touching your face
• Clean/ disinfect surfaces regularly
• Stay home/ limiting public outings to NECESSARY and ESSENTIAL activities only

Instructions on making a homemade mask:

Materials needed:

• Fabric (100% cotton is most effective)
• Fabric Ties • Scissors
• Sewing machine or a needle and thread

Instructions:

• Measure and cut two pieces of fabric in a rectangle pattern to fit snugly around the face (size 12 inches by 6 inches is standard for adults)
• Tightly sew both layers together on all edges
• Cut fabric ties to fit around the ears
• Sew the ties to the insides of the mask on the smaller edge, repeat on both sides
• Resew the sides to ensure a tight seal between both pieces of fabric and the earpiece

04.03.2020-NYT-How-to-make-a-mask 

April 16:2020

Residents Asked to Refrain from Open Burning During Pandemic Health, Emergency Services Encouraging Everyone to ‘Be a Good Neighbor’

PITTSBURGH – The departments of Health and Emergency Services have joined forces to ask residents to “be a good neighbor” and reduce the amount of smoke and air pollution they produce during the COVID-19 crisis.

In most county municipalities (not all so check your municipal ordinances), recreational burning of clean, dry wood in a 3’ x 3’ pile at least 15’ from the property line is legal. However, officials are asking county residents to voluntarily refrain from recreational burning. The Health Department (ACHD) has observed an increase in legal recreational burning with some taking place for extended periods during the day.

Dr. Debra Bogen, Director of the Health Department, notes, “With more people at home due to the pandemic, we have seen a significant increase in recreational burning. The resulting smoke reduces local air quality and for our neighbors and friends with chronic diseases such as asthma or COPD, local burns can trigger the need for more medication, emergency medical visits, and deterioration of the chronic conditions. Please – I ask you all during this crisis to think about the health needs of your neighbors and refrain from all backyard burns.”

The COVID-19 pandemic poses threats to individuals with a history of heart or respiratory illness, and open burning adds to that burden. Smoke can increase an individual’s susceptibility to the virus and can also decrease a COVID-19 infected individual’s ability to fight the virus and worsen their symptoms. It can also result in non-COVID infected individuals having to seek medical attention during this crisis because of respiratory illness.

Both departments have received a significant number of complaints related to open burning. The Health Department (ACHD) has received twice the number of complaints as were received last year during this same time period. Many complaints have been related to trash burning which is prohibited in Allegheny County. While ACHD has inspectors that can respond to complaints, municipalities also have the authority to enforce the open burning rules and, in many cases, can respond more quickly to address the issue.

“Help us help you,” said Chief Matt Brown, Director of Allegheny County Emergency Services. “We are entering the Spring brush and wildfire season which adds to the threat of a controlled burn becoming an uncontrolled burn.”

Just like in other frontline careers, fire departments are adjusting operations to protect their members while still serving our communities. This includes steps to limit training activities, enforcing physical distancing when possible, closing fire stations to the public, and conducting evaluations of members for symptoms. The voluntary ban on burning can assist with those measures.

Particularly during dry and windy conditions, open burning can lead to brush and other types of fires. Firefighters responding to those emergencies are working close to each other, are using personal protective equipment (PPE) that could be reserved for other emergencies and could be responding to
other emergencies rather than one that could have be prevented if residents refrain from burning activities.

For more information on the county’s Open Burning Regulations, visit https://j.mp/2wFVzEU.

April 22 2020 : Rite Aid COVID-19 Testing Flyer

Monroeville COVID Test Site 

For additional information please go to www.Riteaid.com and follow the red banner to learn more.

April 23 2020:  Process to Reopen Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania plans to proceed with returning to work cautiously.  Throughout this process, the administration will have guidance in place to support best public health practices.  This guidance will reinforce and build on existing worker and building safety orders. It will also be able to adapt to the changing nature of the pandemic, as well as lessons learned from communities that return to work strategically.  Please click on the following link for more details https://www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-pennsylvania/.

April 24 2020 : Guidance on Construction

Here is the governor’s guidance on construction:

https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20200423-Construction-Industry-Guidance.pdf

April 27 2020:

With the start of farmers’ market season just around the corner, the Health Department’s Food Safety Division has received numerous requests for guidance related to the operation of such facilities – for those who put these on, for those who are vendors, as well as those who may shop there.

Please find attached that guidance. We will be posting it on the county’s COVID website.

Farmers’ Markets Guidance

April 28 2020: 

Golf Course Guidelines:

0428 Golf Course Guidance

May 1 2020:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2020
View Online

Gov. Wolf Announces Reopening of 24 Counties Beginning May 8

Harrisburg, PA – Balancing economic benefits and public health risks, Governor Tom Wolf today announced the reopening of 24 counties in the northwest and north-central regions of the state, moving them from red to yellow beginning at 12:01 a.m., Friday, May 8.

“Over the past two months, Pennsylvanians in every corner of our commonwealth have acted collectively to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Gov. Wolf said. “We have seen our new case numbers stabilize statewide and while we still have areas where outbreaks are occurring, we also have many areas that have few or no new cases.”

Counties Moving to Yellow Reopening
The 24 counties that will move from red to yellow on May 8 are: Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, Venango, and Warren.

These counties were deemed ready to move to a reopening – or yellow phase – because of low per-capita case counts, the ability to conduct contact tracing and testing, and appropriate population density to contain community spread.

Decision Process
The administration partnered with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to create a Risk-Based Decision Support Tool that enables decision makers to strike a balance between maximizing the results of our economy while minimizing public health risks.

The CMU tool looked at the impacts of risk factors such as reported number of COVID cases per population of an area; ICU and medical/surgical bed capacity; population density; population over age 60; re-opening contact risk, such as the number of workers employed in a currently closed industry sector.

The CMU metrics were considered along with the county’s or region’s ability to conduct testing and contact-tracing to first and foremost maintain robust public health.

The Department of Health developed testing and contact-tracing plans that informed today’s decisions and will be used in making decisions moving forward. Factors include: having enough testing available for individuals with symptoms and target populations such as those at high risk, health care personnel, and first responders, and the ability to perform robust case investigation and have in place a contact-tracing infrastructure that can quickly identify a cluster of outbreaks to issue any necessary isolation and quarantine orders.

All reopening decisions follow the six standards outlined in the governor’s plan to reopen Pennsylvania. These include adhering to:

• Data-driven and quantifiable criteria to drive a targeted, evidence-based, regional approach to reopening.
  •Clear guidance and recommendations for employers, individuals, and health care facilities and providers for assured accountability.
  • Adequate and available personal protective equipment and diagnostic testing.
  • A monitoring and surveillance program that allows the commonwealth to deploy swift actions for containment or mitigation.
  • Protections for vulnerable populations such as limitations on visitors to congregate care facilities and prisons.
  • Limitations on large gatherings unrelated to occupations.

“Our goal since this pandemic was first identified in Pennsylvania has been to save lives while ensuring that the public health system does not become overwhelmed with people suffering from COVID-19,” Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Our contact tracing and testing plans will ensure that as we begin to resume our daily activities, we can do so safely and without fear.”

While both Gov. Wolf and Dr. Levine cautioned that we cannot be certain of the path of the virus, all decisions on partial reopening are driven first by prioritizing the health and safety of Pennsylvanians.

Defining the Yellow Phase
As regions or counties move into the yellow phase, some restrictions on work and social interaction will ease while others, such as closures of schools, gyms, and other indoor recreation centers, hair and nail salons, as well as limitations around large gatherings, remain in place.

On Monday, May 4, the administration will release guidance for businesses permitted to reopen on May 8 in these 24 counties. The guidance is being developed through collaboration with the affected counties, Team PA, the Department of Health, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Department of Labor & Industry, among others. Guidance will build on existing safety and building safety orders released in April.

Work & Congregate Setting Restrictions
• Telework Must Continue Where Feasible
• Businesses with In-Person Operations Must Follow Business and Building Safety Orders
• Child Care Open Complying with Guidance
• Congregate Care and Prison Restrictions in Place
• Schools Remain Closed for In-Person Instruction

Social Restrictions
• Stay at Home Order Lifted for Aggressive Mitigation
• Large Gatherings of More than 25 Prohibited
• In-Person Retail Allowable, Curbside and Delivery Preferable
• Indoor Recreation, Health and Wellness Facilities and Personal Care Services (such as gyms, spas, hair salons, nail salons and other entities that provide massage therapy), and all Entertainment (such as casinos, theaters) Remain Closed
• Restaurants and Bars Limited to Carry-Out and Delivery Only

All businesses not specifically mentioned as restricted from reopening may reopen if they follow the forthcoming guidance.

Moving Forward
Gov. Wolf stressed the need for all Pennsylvanians to now, more than ever, take personal responsibility for their actions.

“Every human-to-human contact is a chance for the virus to spread, so more contacts mean a higher likelihood of an outbreak,” Wolf said. “If we see an outbreak occur in one of the communities that has been moved to yellow, we will need to take swift action, and revert to the red category until the new case count falls again. So, Pennsylvanians living in a county that has been moved to the yellow category should continue to strongly consider the impact of their actions.”

Counties that will remain under the stay-at-home order will be considered for reopening in the next several weeks as the state continues to closely monitor metrics and collaborate with CMU, health experts and counties.

The full reopening plan is available here.

May 7 2020:

Gov. Wolf, Attorney General Shapiro Announce Protections from Foreclosures and Evictions Through July 10

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf was joined by Attorney General Josh Shapiro today to announce that he signed an executive order that protects Pennsylvanians from foreclosures or evictions through July 10. The action builds on a Pennsylvania Supreme Court order which closed court eviction proceedings until May 11 and ensures no renter or homeowner will be removed from their home for 60 more days.

“At a time when people need to stay home to protect their heath, they should not have to worry about losing their homes,” said Governor Wolf. “Ensuring that people can remain in their homes will help them to better protect their loved ones. It gives families the comfort of knowing they will have a place to live while all of us work together to fight COVID-19 and prepare to move Pennsylvania forward.”

“I commend the Governor for his decision to delay eviction and foreclosure proceedings. We know it’s critical for public health, and for our economic recovery, that people stay in their homes during this emergency,” said Attorney General Shapiro. “This order gives people struggling with lost income something they can count on — a roof over their heads.”

In almost all circumstances, renters and homeowners are required to continue making monthly payments. If you are a Pennsylvanian struggling to make your monthly payments, you should contact your landlord or mortgage servicer immediately.

The Wolf Administration provided recommendations last week to stem foreclosures, evictions and help people experiencing homelessness. The Department of Human Services activated the commonwealth’s Sheltering Taskforce and is working with local and state partners to coordinate resources for people without housing. The Department of Community and Economic Development is also accepting applications for Emergency Solutions Grants to assist with the rapid rehousing of people experiencing homelessness, street outreach, homelessness prevention, and emergency shelter activities.

PHFA is also taking action to help homeowners and renters. The agency has stopped foreclosures and evictions and is offering forbearances with late fee waivers to homeowners with a PHFA mortgage who are experiencing a financial hardship because of COVID-19. PHFA also developed a list of renters’ rights and responsibilities to clarify the situation for apartment residents and is working with landlords and property managers to distribute it to renters. PHFA is also encouraging Low-Income Housing Tax Credit building managers to be flexible on rent payments and to waive late fees for tenants whose employment has been affected by the crisis.

“During the past few weeks, we’ve had great cooperation from Pennsylvanians who understand that staying home is not just about protecting themselves, it’s about protecting everyone in the community,” said Gov. Wolf. This executive order takes one more burden off people who are struggling and gives them more time to get back on their feet.

More helpful information is available from the following:

• Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
• United Way of PA
• Consumer Finance Protection Bureau
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
• Fannie Mae
• Freddie Mac
• FHFA Foreclosure and Eviction Assistance

May 15 2020:

Below is a consumable description for some of the changes that occur in the yellow phase of the Governor’s reopening phase. I hope this information is helpful to you.

Also, as you will see, there are links at the bottom of the e-mail to further guidance specifically by each department.

Work and Congregate Setting Restrictions:

• Telework must continue where feasible
• Businesses with in-person operations must follow business and building safety orders
• Child care open complying with guidance
• Congregate care and prison restrictions in place
• Schools remain closed for in-person instruction

Social Restrictions:

• Stay at home order lifted for aggressive mitigation
• Large gatherings of more than 25 prohibited
• In-person retail allowable, curbside delivery preferable
• Indoor recreation, health and wellness facilities and personal care, and all entertainment remain closed
• Restaurants and bars limted to carry-out and delivery only

DCED has continued to update its FAQs for life-sustaining businesses. For the latest version, please click here.

Categories of businesses required to continue to suspend in-person operations in the yellow phase (until their county is designated in the green phase are):

• Indoor recreation: i.e. bowling, arcades, racquetball and other indoor sports or training, go-kart and other racing, laser tag, pool halls, trampoline facilities, indoor mini golf.
• Health and wellness facilitites/personal care: i.e. gyms, personal training, public swimming pools (pool cleaning is permitted), saunas, tattoo and piercing shops, tanning, spas, hair salons, nail salons, massage therapy.
• Entertainment: i.e. casinos, theaters, concerts, museums, zoos and botanical gardens, racetracks, professional, semiprofessional, or amateur/membership teams or clubs, amusement and water parks, carnivals, playgrounds.
• Indoor malls must remain closed, however, tenants with external entrances may open, as well as pharmacy and health care tenants with either interior or external entrances.
• Restaurants and bars: curbside pickup, takeout and delivery. (This guidance is the same for ice-cream shops and food trucks)

Open in Yellow phase

• Garden centers
• Car dealerships
• Batting cages
• Golf courses
• Mini-golf
• Yard sales
• Tennis Clubs
• Dog groomers
• Dog walking
• Dentists
• Drive-in movie theaters
• Hair salons/barber shops — for retail sale of products, only
• Pet stores — including grooming and training
• Appliance stores
• Marinas
• Fishing guides
• Sporting goods, hunting, fishing and tackle stores
• Bicycle sale and repair shops
• Firearm dealers
• Cell phone sale and repair stores
• Apartment leasing offices
• Residential properties may be offered for short term rental

The committee has received questions on the following, which are not explicity captured in the above lists, and received information from DCED:

• Schools of dance/schools the provide individual music instruction: This is considered in-person instruction, and is captured in the yellow phase of re-opening: “Schools remain closed for in-person instruction.”
• Youth sports: prohibited in yellow, including fielding one team only.
• CDL training: considered in-person instruction, and is captured in the yellow phase of re-opening: “Schools remain closed for in-person instruction.”

For your convenience, attached are:

• The April 28, 2020 PA DOS limited guidance for Real Estate professionals. Please click here.
• Guidance for businesses in the construction industry permitted to operate during the COVID-19 disaster emergency. Please click here.
• Guidance for businesses permitted to operate during the COVID-19 disaster emergency to ensure the safety and health of employees and the public. Please click here.
• Order of the Secretary of the PA Department of Health directing public health safety measures for businesses permitted to maintain in-person operations. Please click here.
• Process to Reopen Pennsylvania. Please click here.
• COVID-19 Business Complaint Form. Please click here.

This is a message from Allegheny Alerts.

Due to continuing COVID-19 restrictions regarding mass gatherings, Boyce Park Wave Pool, Deer Lakes Spray Park, North Park Swimming Pool, Round Hill Spray Park, Settlers Cabin Park Wave Pool, and South Park Wave Pool will be closed this summer.

County Parks will begin offering physically distanced programming with limited participants starting on Monday, May 18, including youth mountain biking, outdoor yoga, bike riding lessons, FIT4MOM exercise groups, nature programs and more. A complete list is available at www.alleghenycounty.us/parkprograms. L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools will begin programming in North Park in late June. Activities are listed at www.llbean.com/pittsburgh.

Throughout the pandemic, County Parks have provided virtual programming through the “Parks at Home” initiative using Facebook (www.fb.com/alleghenycountyparks) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/alleghenycounty). Offerings have included virtual hikes, tree and flower identification, live ranger presentations, dek hockey skills, and the Reader Ranger series. Parks at Home will continue to provide virtual programming throughout the summer.

Outdoor facility rentals are permitted starting on Saturday, May 16. However, renters and guests must follow all guidelines issued by the CDC, PA Department of Health and Allegheny County Health Department. To rent outdoor facilities, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/parkrentals.

As a reminder, North Park and South Park golf courses are open with daily operating hours of 6:00 am-dusk. Regular season fees are in effect. Operational changes are also in effect at both courses, and golfers are asked to observe COVID-19 guidelines to help contain the spread of the virus. For details, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/golf.

Finally, Allegheny County’s nine parks encompass more than 12,000 acres and have more than 180 miles of multi-use trails. There is plenty of space to spread out and practice physical distancing. Visit www.alleghenycounty.us/parktrails to download the parks trail app or use the parks trail web tool.

June 17, 2020

PHFA put out the release regarding homeowner and renter assistance. Here are some details, and the direct link: https://www.phfa.org/forms/press_releases/2020/phfa-caresfundingavailable-final-06172020.pdf

June 17, 2020 For Immediate Release

Applications for CARES financial assistance for renters and homeowners will be available June 29; application submissions can begin July 6. People who lost income due to the pandemic-related economic slowdown may be eligible for rent or mortgage assistance to help them stay in their homes

HARRISBURG – Renters and homeowners who were financially impacted by the economic slowdown related to the coronavirus pandemic will be able to access applications for rent and mortgage relief starting June 29. At that time, applications will be easily accessible from a red banner on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s website at www.PHFA.org. PHFA is administering both programs.

PHFA is currently identifying organizations in all 67 counties to help it process the large number of rent relief applications anticipated. People will submit their applications and supporting paperwork to these county organizations for review.

The Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed in March, provided $3.9 billion for Pennsylvania and is intended to help people hurt economically during the pandemic. In late May, the General Assembly directed $175 million of these CARES dollars to PHFA to provide assistance for struggling renters and homeowners. The portion for rent assistance is at least $150 million, and $25 million was set aside for mortgage assistance.

During June, in a period of about four weeks, PHFA is developing detailed programs for distributing this financial assistance quickly to people in need while following legislative requirements. The agency will begin accepting completed applications for rent and mortgage assistance on July 6.

“Our goal is to make this financial assistance available as quickly and easily as possible while ensuring applicants meet the eligibility requirements established by the state legislature,” said Robin Wiessmann, PHFA executive director and CEO. “Keeping people in their homes is essential for our economic recovery,and we are grateful that the General Assembly and Governor Wolf recognize that stable housing provides the foundation on which to build that recovery.”

For renters to be eligible for financial assistance under the CARES Rent Relief Program (RRP), they will need to document at least a 30% reduction in annual income since March 1 related to COVID-19, or they must have become unemployed after March 1. If unemployed, they must have filed for unemployment compensation with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. Their household income cannot exceed the Area Median Income for their county of residence, adjusted for the number of people in their home.

Renters who qualify may receive assistance equal to 100% of their monthly rent up to $750 a month for a maximum of six months of assistance for the time period between March 1 and November 30, 2020. Payments will be made to their landlord on their behalf. Renters or landlords can apply for rent relief for apartment tenants, but renters are responsible for submitting all the documents needed to ensure their eligibility.

CARES assistance available soon for renters and homeowners, Pg. 2 Homeowners who became unemployed after March 1 or who suffered at least a 30% reduction in annual income due to reduced work hours and wages related to COVID-19 may be eligible for financial assistance to help with missed mortgage payments. To qualify for the Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program (PMAP), they must be an owner-occupant of their residence, the dwelling must consist of one or two separate units, the mortgage must be at least 30 days delinquent, and the homeowner’s annual household income must not exceed the Area Median Income for their county of residence, adjusted for the number of people in their home.

The assistance available for homeowners can be up to $1,000 a month for a maximum period of six months. The time period eligible for assistance is for mortgage payments owed from March 2020 through December 2020, however any CARES assistance provided must be disbursed by Nov. 30, 2020. Financial assistance payments through this program will be made directly to the mortgagee. Homeowners or their lenders can apply for mortgage relief, but homeowners are responsible for providing all the documents needed to determine their eligibility.

Applications for both rent and mortgage assistance will be easily accessible from PHFA’s homepage starting June 29. At that time, people will be able to click in a red banner on the website to access the applications and other helpful background information. The red banner is already live on the site advising people of the date applications will be available. The agency’s call center is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist the public and help with questions about the programs. The toll-free number is 1-855-U-Are-Home (827-3466). Callers should listen for the prompt mentioning CARES assistance for renters and homeowners. The county organizations to which CARES applications are submitted will also have webpages offering useful information.

The CARES funding for renters and homeowners must be completely distributed by Nov. 30, 2020, although it is expected the assistance will be exhausted before the deadline because of the tremendous need by people hurt financially by the pandemic.

About PHFA, The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. Through its carefully managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA also promotes economic development across the state. Since its creation by the legislature in 1972, it has generated nearly $14.6 billion of funding for more than 178,325 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 136,215 rental units, distributed more than $109.2 million to support local housing initiatives, and saved the homes of more than 50,300 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities and from fees paid by program users, not by public tax dollars. The agency is governed by a 14-member board.