HUD Greensboro Field Office Partners with City of Lumberton to support COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

Jennifer R. McLamb, RHCC Chief Operations Officer and Stephen Fuller, RHCC AJ Robinson Community Health & Wellness Center Practice Manager confer on the day's vaccination efforts.

Getting the word out about the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine and providing the vaccine was center stage as the HUD Greensboro Field Office, City of Lumberton Housing Authority (LHA), and Robeson Health Care Corporation (RHCC) came together at the Dr. A. J. Robinson Health Center to help provide the COVID-19 vaccination to interested residents. The effort included transportation being provided to any public housing resident.

"The Housing Authority of the City of Lumberton has dealt with Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, even before the appearance of COVID-19. During the previous disasters and with COVID-19, the health and safety of our residents continues to be our first mission," said City of Lumberton Housing Authority Executive Director Adrianne Lowery. "We are very thankful to be a part of this initiative, as we partner with HUD to remove any barriers preventing our residents from seeking the COVID-19 vaccinations."

"Working with the City of Lumberton Housing Authority and the RHCC exemplifies the importance of HUD partnering with local communities and organizations to achieve common goals," said HUD Greensboro Field Office Director, Roosevelt A. Grant. 'We are very appreciative of the LHA and the RHCC for their tireless efforts to increase vaccination awareness and vaccinations in the City of Lumberton."

The RHCC is a consortium of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) that has been incorporated since 1985 when it began with 3 health centers in rural Robeson County. Among the services complementing the primary and behavioral health care: 6 in-house pharmacies that provide significant discounts for patients of the health centers, dental services, transportation, HIV primary care and medical case management, obstetrical services, and translation services for non-English speaking patients.

The LHA, and RHCC were enthusiastic to work with the HUD Greensboro Field Office to encourage public housing residents to get a COVID-19 vaccination. To that end, significant effort was made by the RHCC facility and the LHA to canvass the Turner Terrance residents. Almost 500 public housing units were contacted through door-to-door canvassing, some 65 residents affirmed their interest, while 10 residents made the final step to get vaccinated. Undeterred, the LHA and the RHCC have scheduled another COVID-19 vaccination popup for August 23, 2021.

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