We spoke to two property management companies on either side of the country to find out how they have adjusted their work with clients during COVID-19.
In operation since 1984, COHO Management Services Society serves 92 clients and over 5,600 co‑operative homes in British Columbia. When COHO closed its offices in March, COHO’s main concern was to get its employees home with enough equipment to ensure that service to clients would be little disrupted. Computers were ordered and staff tucked in at home, all while continuing to stay in contact with their clients. One of the challenges faced by COHO was the inability to enter units for maintenance and repair work. COHO put some of these projects on hold, but continued work in common areas and vacant units. In addition, maintenance staff stepped up to increase cleaning in all high-touch areas and common spaces.
COHO has been proactive in planning the reopening of each co-op office. “We are doing on-site audits of the co-ops and co-op offices to see what needs to be ordered and installed to keep members safe,” explains Halina Kuras, COHO Director of Finance and Operations. “Our clients are looking for help with physical distancing measures when they get the go-ahead to reopen their offices.” To keep their spirits up, COHO employees are enjoying a weekly happy-hour video call—themed!—when they play games and catch up with one another.
In operation since 2009, Community Housing Management Network provides day-to-day management services to more than 40 co‑operatives and non-profits in Ontario and Nova Scotia. The Network is experiencing much of the same as COHO, even though they operate in other provinces. Maintenance is on pause unless it is deemed an emergency, and members are not allowed in their unit when the repair is taking place. The Network has intensified the cleaning of common areas and limited the number of members in elevators and laundry rooms.
Boards are meeting through video conferencing systems, which has taken some getting used to, but the feedback has been positive. Everyone is learning to cope and to be co-operative in this new environment. Kristen Weimen, Regional Coordinator, explains: “One of our clients has a group of high-school volunteers who are helping vulnerable members by ensuring they have groceries and medication. More than anything, this pandemic has reminded us about how kind people can be in difficult times.”
While COVID-19 has been challenging for property managers, co-operative principles have become more important than ever, with both management companies assuring us that communication between co‑workers has never been better.
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