March 17, 2020
COMMUNITY TASK FORCE AND NEW OPTIONS WE'VE PUT INTO MOTION TO HELP OUR RESIDENTS DURING THESE UNSETTLING TIMES:
Dear valued residents,
Avenue Living shares in the increasing global concern about COVID-19. Our commitment to putting the health and safety of our valued residents and employees first is unwavering. As we monitor the rapidly evolving situation, we continue to enhance our internal plan to safeguard everyone that walks through our doors.
At Avenue Living, we are all proud of our "In It Together" mindset. It's one of the core principles that we were founded on, and it has never been more true than in this time of crisis.
While we appreciate the Federal Government, Provinces and Municipalities are working hard to find ways to support Canadians in this unsettling time, we have made it our duty to be proactive in putting operational systems in place in the interim.
Community Task Force:
Yesterday, I touched on a community task force that would be put in place to ensure community engagement and resident well-being. I am pleased to announce that today, we started putting these measures in place and created our very own Avenue Living Community (ALC) Task Force.
The purpose of this task force is to help you, our residents, with any support you may need during this difficult time. Some folks may need help stocking up on groceries, others may need help walking their dogs. Some may just need a friendly voice to check in with them over the phone. Whatever the need, our team is dedicated to support you as best we can. We are in it with you. As mentioned yesterday, we encourage and value community engagement and acts of kindness. Should you need anything from us, or alternatively, if would like to join our ALC Task Force and be our eyes and ears throughout the communities we operate in, please reach out at COVID-19@avenueliving.ca.
New Options We've Put Into Motion:
Avenue Living has been at the forefront of technology, offering electronic leasing for over a year. In light of the current social distancing guidelines, we have recently expanded this service to include an electronic renewal processes and have increased electronic rent payment options.
The below are some additional steps we have proactively put into motion in order to help alleviate pain points our current residents may be facing:
- Weekly Payment Plans: We are rolling out accommodating payment plans for new as well as existing residents. This payment plan offers breathing room for our residents with smaller payments due on a weekly basis, over the usual monthly payment. Current residents can switch to the Weekly Payment Plan should they wish to.
- Flexible Payment Options: We have implemented flexible payment options through electronic fund transfer, email transfer, credit cards by phone, mail in cheques and online bank payments. Residents with upcoming renewals will receive text message communications to renew expiring leases, in addition to the continued communications from our Leasing Specialists.
- Virtual Viewings: Residents will now be able to experience virtual viewings for available apartments for rent.
As always, our Resident Help Services Team can be reached through our Call Centre number at 1-855-247-1492.
We continue to look at opportunities to service our valued residents, employees and investors during this difficult time. Our channels of communication have always been and will always remain open. We will do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of everyone who lives with, works with and does business with us.
As the situation continues to evolve, please be assured that we will be constantly reassessing and adapting our processes to adhere to the latest updates and health guidelines. If you have any questions and/or concerns, you can continue to email us at: COVID-19@avenueliving.ca.
Sincerely,
Louise Elsey
COO, Avenue Living Communities