Housing on Merit is pleased to announce the May launch of our Virtual Resident Services program, designed to provide important support services to residents in our communities during these unprecedented times that for safety reasons hamper in-person resident services. Virtual Resident Services allow our Resident Services Coordinators (RSCs) to provide residents with academic tutoring, assistance with arts and crafts projects, and companionship via phone and video conferencing. Resident feedback has been overwhelmingly positive thus far, with many sharing that before the launch of our Virtual Resident Services they had been feeling isolated and disconnected due to the state-wide stay-at-home order. Parents and their children have expressed gratitude for our Virtual Homework Help program, which has provided assistance to youth as they navigate the challenges of online schooling.
In addition, Housing on Merit distributed to residents resource lists of local and national organizations that offer rental payment relief, assistance with utility and credit card bills, free access to Wi-Fi, remote learning services, and more. In addition, we are working with community partners to soon provide free hot meal services to residents at our San Diego communities and an on-site food truck at one of our Washington D.C. properties. Housing on Merit understands the importance of adapting our programming to bridge the gap in services and resources available to residents during these unprecedented times, and we will continue to work diligently to develop new resident services programming and partner with community organizations to address the needs of residents in our communities.