Covid-19 Resources and FHCS Policies

In an effort to address the current health concerns in our community, FHCS offices will be closed until further notice.  FHCS staff will be working remotely and available via email or a message can be left on their voicemail for a return call.

Staff will be fully accessible through email during this time, and anyone that contacts the agency by phone will be given the opportunity to leave a voicemail message.  These messages will be received via email by the appropriate staff member for a return call to be made.

Contact Us

You can leave a message regarding your concern at 330-376-6191 and dialing one of the following extensions:

  • Tenant-landlord concern, such as repairs, eviction, or security deposit questions: extension 111
  • Reverse mortgage counseling: extension 114
  • Housing discrimination or a disability or accessibility housing related concern: extension 115
  • Mortgage related concern, such as mortgage delinquency or first time homebuyer: extension 116
  • General message with your name, telephone number, and concern: extension 111

Tenants

  • PAY YOUR RENT! If you have NOT lost your income due to COVID-19, and have the funds to pay your rent, PLEASE DO THIS. If you have lost your income due to COVID-19, please discuss this matter with your housing provider to attempt to work out an agreement. If an agreement cannot be reached, please contact 2-1-1 for information about potential (very limited) community resources.
  • If you have an emergency repair (i.e. broken furnace, pipe, stove, refrigerator, window, etc.), work with your housing provider to make arrangements for this repair to be made even during a time of the State of Ohio “Stay at Home” order.  Minor repairs needed to a unit may not be reasonable to perform at this time.
  • If you or someone in your household has a disability related reason to not allow access to the unit, this could be seen as a Reasonable Accommodation under Fair Housing regulations.  For example, you have a compromised immune system due to cancer treatment and cannot be exposed to anyone outside of your household.  Ask your housing provider for a Reasonable Accommodation.  Our office can be contacted for questions.

Housing Providers

  • Yes, you can still collect rent during this time of COVID-19. However, this is an unprecedented time. If appropriate, try to discuss with your tenants if they have had a loss of income and attempt to reach an agreement. As always, it is best to put any agreement in writing.
  • If a unit has an emergency repair (i.e. broken furnace, pipe, stove, refrigerator, window, etc.), these should be addressed as soon as possible in collaboration with the tenant.  Minor repairs needed to a unit may not be reasonable to perform at this time.
  • If a tenant has a disability related reason to not allow access to the unit, this could be seen as a Reasonable Accommodation under Fair Housing regulations.  If your tenant has informed you that they cannot allow access, please consider this request.  Our office can be contacted for questions.
  • Most eviction courts in our area have continued all cases until at least the end of March.
  • For all three municipal courts in Summit County (Akron, Barberton, and Stow Courts): Currently, evictions must be filed by mail. Once the orders are lifted, cases will be scheduled in the order which they were received. Please contact your local municipal court for more information.

    Akron Municipal Court
    Barberton Municipal Court
    Stow Municipal Court

Resources