April 8, 2020

Dear Residents:

Property Management is determined to be Essential Services During COVID-19 CRISIS

We understand that the temporary disruptions to your daily life and normal routine, due to COVID-19, can be difficult for some and may cause anger, frustration and sadness in others.

However, the danger of COVID-19 affects us all…We are in this together. We believe that now is the time for all good citizens to rise-up and do the right thing for the greater good.

Stay home, unless you are an essential worker, or need to go out to pick up groceries, medicine, or for medical appointments. However, if anyone is unable to do it on their own you can contact Mississauga Food Bank (905-270-5589,ext.238) or Good Neighbours Project (647-873-2230). We also arranged with some volunteers in each building to assist those in need.

Pathway team members continue to stay on the job in a limited capacity in an effort to ensure that your housing remains clean, safe and operational.

Given that Pathway provides essential services, the following are the areas, considered core and essential services, that Pathway team has been focusing their time, attention, and resources:

  • Communications: check and respond to phone, email and written messages daily based on priority. Provide residents with regular updates related to this crisis situation by posting notices in the common areas, delivering important communications to each unit and posting all updates on Pathway website pathwayhousing.ca.
  • Rent Collection: manage revenue and expenses to ensure sufficient funds to pay bills.
  • Emergency Maintenance: provide repair/maintenance work that is strictly necessary and relates to health, safety and crucial functionality of the unit’s equipment.

As you are aware from the previous notices Pathway has temporarily modified its operations and staffing to protect health and safety of its employees and to ensure that staff are complying with physical distancing and other preventative measures, including PPE (personal protection equipment). Our janitorial contractors are concentrating on disinfecting “high-traffic” surfaces, such as elevator buttons, door handles etc. in attempt to reduce possibility of transmitting the virus.

 

There are few recommendations to all and new practices that have been introduced in our buildings to minimize your exposure to, and help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus:

  • Avoid congregating with people in the lobby, laundry room, elevators and other common areas. Maintain 2m distance.
  • Inform the staff member and contact medical professionals if any member of the household displays identified symptoms (cough, high temperature, shortness of breath).
  • Use personal protection measures, such as masks, gloves and hand sanitizers while in the common areas. Management can provide a refill of hand sanitizers upon request while supplies lasts.
  • While in the laundry please wash your hands based on recommendations. Soap and paper towels are provided. Only up to 2 persons at the same time should be using laundry room. Do not bring children when doing laundry. Do not leave any items on countertops or anywhere else after finishing using the facility. They will be disposed off by the staff.
  • Office does not accept any parcels or packages from the couriers. Please ensure that you are home when the packages are delivered. Any items found in the hallways will be removed.
  • Please wipe down your own doorknobs. Avoid coming into contact with all the surfaces (walls, railings etc.)
  • Use the hand sanitizer, located in the main lobby, as well as in the parking garage elevator lobby, when entering or leaving the building.
  • To minimize the risk of exposure and transmission during this health alert we discourage tenants’ guests and visitors from coming to the building. Please do not allow children to play in the common areas including hallways as this practice is contrary to the “social distancing” initiative.

 

On behalf of the entire Pathway organization and staff I would like to thank you for your ongoing cooperation, patience and support which will help us to navigate through these difficult and unusual times.

 

Roman Spektor
General Manager

Outstanding Rent Payment for: April 2020

 

Dear Resident,

 

THANK YOU! If you have made your rent payment, which was due on April 1, 2020. Your support for your housing community during the COVID-19 emergency is very much appreciated.

 

If you did not make your payment, this rent arrears reminder is being sent in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and Pathway’s account reporting system.

Considering the impact that COVID-19 is having on many people, we kindly ask that you take note of the following:

  • If you have lost income or employment due to mandated COVID-19 related business closures and expect that you will have difficulty paying your rent, please communicate your personal situation in writing to the Management Office so that we may work together to keep your rent account in good standing. However, you are encouraged to pay any amount you can immediately to help Pathway pay its bills. Also, please inform the Management Office of your plan to pay the amount owing before the end of the month.
  • Pathway, as a not-for-profit housing corporation that provides social housing for the benefit of its residents, has operational expenses, such as insurance, maintenance, utilities, property taxes, and mortgage, which must be paid to ensure that residents remain housed and continue to have safe, clean, and well-maintained facilities and equipment.

 

Temporary Income Support Programs
If you need financial assistance/support as a result of COVID-19, here are programs to consider:

1. Employment Insurance: If you were recently laid off or have reduced work hours you may qualify for Employment Insurance (EI), which provides income replacement. You can apply for EI as follows:

  • Online: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei.html
  • By Phone: 1-800-206-7218 or TTY: 1-800-529-3742 (for deaf and hard of hearing)

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB): CERB will provide up to $2,000 a month for four months for workers who lose income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. CERB is available for wage earners, contract workers and self-employed individuals who are NOT eligible for Employment Insurance. Others may be eligible including those who are sick, quarantined or taking care of someone with COVID-19 and working parents who are required to stay home without pay to care for children who are sick or need care due to daycare or school closures.

Continued other side…
2. Applications for this benefit will be accepted online starting April 6, 2020.
More information available online at https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html
3. Ontario Works (OW): Ontario Works can help with temporary financial assistance for the cost
of food and housing. Apply for OW as follows:

  • Online: https://www.peelregion.ca/help/ontario-works/
  • By Phone: Call 905-793-9200 if you live in Brampton or Mississauga

 

Other Financial Supports

  • Special Goods and Services Tax Credit Payment
    The Government of Canada is providing a one-time special payment though the Goods and Services Tax credit for low and modest-income families by early May 2020. The average additional benefit is expected to be approximately $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples. Eligible households will receive this payment automatically.
  • Canada Child Benefit
    The Government of Canada is providing an extra $300 per child through the Canada Child Benefit, which will be delivered as part of the scheduled benefit payment in May 2020. There is no need to
    re-apply for households that are already receive the Canada Child Benefit.
  • Guaranteed Annual Income System
    Beginning in April 2020, the Province of Ontario is doubling the Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) payment for low-income seniors for six months. There is no application process for GAINS. Eligible seniors will receive increased payments automatically.
    Region of Peel – 905-791-7800 or visit https://www.peelregion.ca/coronavirus/housing/
  • RGI residents
    Residents who are in receipt of rent subsidy (RGI) temporarily will not be required to submit Annual Income Verification packages. However, should your income be reduced due to the COVID-19 please provide this information to the office as soon as possible.

 

Please continue to practice social distancing, hand washing and sanitizing and other recommendations set out by health officials. Your cooperation during this challenging time is very much appreciated.

 

We are in the COVID-19 crisis together and we’ll get through it together.

Management