HUD Offers Free COVID-19 Test Kits for Section 202 Sites

HUD and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have launched a federal Health Partner Ordering Portal (HPOP) to expand the available COVID-19 diagnostic testing supply for at-risk individuals. HHS and HUD have leaned on their network of aging and disability organizations to distribute no-cost federal testing to HUD Multifamily Housing sites and/or Section 202 sites. With this initiative, no-cost over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests are available to thousands of sites across the nation.

HUD’s Section 202 program is focused on expanding the supply of affordable housing with supportive services for the elderly. Occupancy in Section 202 housing is open to any very low-income household that includes at least one person who’s at least 62 years old at the time of initial occupancy. Section 202 provides very low-income elderly with options that allow them to live independently but in an environment that provides support activities such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation. Residents of these sites are considered at higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes because of older age and because they may have underlying health conditions, such as chronic heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease.

Owners and managers of these sites should consider taking advantage of this new initiative. Regular testing is an important part of mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and protecting those most vulnerable to serious infection, including older adults and people with disabilities. The new program aims to promote community health and well-being by providing test kits to Section 202 providers that can be used to ensure residents, staff, and others are not infected with the virus or, if they are, to quickly identify, quarantine, and appropriately treat infected persons. We’ll go over the type of tests being distributed and how to order them.

Type of Test

The test being distributed is the Quidel QuickVue at-home OTC COVID-19 test. This is a rapid antigen test that individuals can self-administer in the privacy of their own units.

As an antigen test, the test determines viral proteins from SARSCov2 in individuals through collecting nasal swab specimens. This test helps detect the virus during the early stages of infection and would allow individuals to act accordingly based on this knowledge. It can be used if symptomatic, asymptomatic, or within six days of symptom onset. Also, the test kit is a complete test package, which means you won’t need any additional complex tool or device to use the QuickVue COVID 19-Test.

Ordering Logistics

Testing supplies can be requested using an online ordering system known as the “Health Partner Ordering Portal” (HPOP). You must register in order to begin ordering tests, and only organizations identified as HUD Multifamily Housing Properties and/or Section 202 Elderly Projects will be able to access the website and order test kits. You’ll need to register with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR).

After completing the registration, you’ll have the ability to order only the number of test kits that you can store and distribute without waste. Orders can be input on a weekly basis, and the deadline to order is Monday at midnight EST every week. Since orders are input on a weekly basis, you should order only the number of test kits that you estimate you’ll be able to distribute in a one-week period.

The minimum order is one package, or 45 test kits; there are two tests in each kit. The maximum order is 2,000 packages, or 90,000 test kits. Once you’ve ordered, you can expect deliveries within seven to 10 calendar days of order submission. For storage, you should plan to store test kits at room temperature (59–77 degrees F); the shelf life for these test kits is 16 months.

HPOP Registration

The first step is to visit https://vpop.cdc.gov/selfservice/register to begin the registration process. Here, you’ll be prompted to enter personal details in order to register as a provider within HPOP. This registration should be completed by the staff member in your organization who’ll be ordering the test kits on behalf of the organization and managing the ordering process.

The initial registration step will ask that you input personal details. Once the information is input, you will select “sign up.” You will then see a “Thank You” page with instructions to check your email for a message to activate your account for Self-Service Provider Portal. You should get a response within a few minutes.

Once you’ve set up a password for the system and signed in with the two-factor authentication process, you’ll begin the self-service registration process where you’ll enter “provider details.” In the context of the testing program, distribution sites are considered providers of test kits. In the field where you’re prompted to enter a provider name, it’s important that you enter the name of the organization you’re representing, the project name as recorded in HUD’s system. And in the “Partner” field, you’ll need to select HUD. Enter your site’s eight-digit iREMS Number in State PIN blank. This will ensure timely review of the registration process. For the “approximate number of patients/clients routinely served by the location” field, select “unknown” for each of the age groups listed. Select “Other” and input “U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development” for “Setting where this location will administer products” field.

For registration, the last step will prompt you to upload any required documents. There are no required documents for sites participating in this program, so you can simply hit “submit” at the bottom of this screen to complete your registration. Once you’ve completed the self-service registration, you’ll receive a notification stating that your request is “Pending Approval.” If there are any issues with your request, ASPR will contact you.