Washington County assistance.

Home repair program

You can receive housing assistance from the Home Access and Repair for the Disabled and Elderly (HARDE) program. The program provides grants and/or low-interest loans to low- and moderate-income Washington county residents so that they can improve and repair their homes. Including taking such actions as repairing deteriorated siding or roofing, fixing a broken door or windows, repairing plumbing or electrical systems, replace or repair defective heating systems and structural defects. The maximum grant or low interest loan that is available through the HARDE program is $3,500.

In addition, the loans and grants also can be used to improve accessibility needs, such as providing wider doorways, including adding ramps, adding shower rails, grab rails, lower kitchen counters and cabinets, elevated toilets, roll-under sinks, installing security devices and door handles.

Qualifications for the home repair assistance program include being disabled or elderly (62 or older), being a Washington County resident, having an urgent need for the improvements or repairs, or accessibility improvements, and people applying also must meet income guidelines. Dial (503) 846-8814 to learn more.

Housing Assistance Programs

The United Way, working closely with Community Action in Washington County (phone (503) 648-6646), provides rent assistance to people in need, and they will also provide funds to those who may be facing an eviction. Historically the groups have been able to prevent almost 50 evictions per month, but lately they have been assisting more renters due to the weak economy. The City of Hillsboro, the City of Beaverton, and the Hillsboro Community Foundation all have been major contributors and supporters of the programs being offered. The United Way also helps fund some rent assistance programs in Portland Oregon.

 

 

 

Emergency cash grants and financial assistance

The non-profit organization that offers the most services is the Community Action Organization. They offer these services and resources to qualified individuals.

• Energy assistance - The agency helps low to moderate income households in Hillsboro and the county with paying their heating bills and electricity costs. The energy bill assistance program operates year-round using federal government, state of Oregon, and private funding from utility companies and other private donations. Assistance for utility bills and its availability depends on funding cycles, type of requests, and donations received. Funding is limited.
   
• Rental assistance programs - The Washington County Oregon Community Action agency also has limited funding and resources to provide emergency rent assistance so individuals and families can stay in their homes or apartments. Read more on eviction prevention programs.
   
• Weatherization assistance - The non-profit agency also provides cost-free weatherization services and energy conservation programs to low to moderate income-qualified residents (both homeowners and renters) of Washington County. The primary objective of the weatherization program is to provide free services and resources that will help families lower their heating and utility bills and stay warmer, safer and more comfortable during the year.

Call Community Action Organization at (503) 648-6646 to learn more about these or other programs.

 

 

IRCO, formally known as the Immigrant  and Refugee Community Organization (503) 234-1541, provides qualified individuals with access to rent and utility bill assistance programs. They also run culturally specific financial education classes, debt reduction services, and budgeting skills to promote long-term financial stability of African refugee and immigrant families in the area. Read more on debt assistance.

Care To Share - One day per month qualified clients may call to request rent assistance for the following month. Beaverton Oregon. (503) 924-3129

St. Alexander Catholic church of Cornelius Oregon provides limited rent, heating, and utility bill assistance. In addition, the church provides food boxes to Cornelius residents. Phone (503) 359-0304

St. Francis Social Action offers numerous assistance programs. Rent and utility bill assistance are available. Groceries, every day free food, as well as holiday food boxes are available for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. Furniture and clothes can also be provided. Sherwood Oregon based. (503) 625-7067

Your Next Step - This agency provides grant payments of up to $200, and the money is payable for each qualified applicant of the programs and agency. Money can be used to pay an emergency, in a crisis, and people can apply for help only once. The grant can be used  to help pay for either utility bills, prescription, medical bills, rent, or certain other expenses. Beaverton Oregon. (503) 330-7755

Salvation Army of Tualatin Valley Council (phone number (503) 640-4311) is a non-profit that provides energy and utility bill assistance from January through May of each and every year when funds are available to help the low income for western Washington County.

Washington County Oregon Care To Share – Funds can help pay utility bills, including water, electric, and gas. Dial (503) 726-0407

City Of Forest Grove – Offers limited amounts of help for paying electric bills. 1924 Council Street, Forest Grove, Oregon 97116. Dial (503) 992-3221 for intake.

Several other agencies focus on providing eviction prevention, housing grants, and other services. Read more about Hillsboro rent assistance programs, which serve all of Washington County Oregon.

Foreclosure assistance and mortgage delinquency in Washington County Oregon

Open Door Counseling Center - Located in Hillsboro, the non-profit is a HUD certified housing counseling agency. Among other services, they provide a mortgage foreclosure prevention program (prevention counseling, mediation, advocacy with lenders, debt reduction, money management, and loss-mitigation), and they can help people buy a home through pre-purchase home ownership counseling and workshops. Learn more on Oregon mortgage assistance programs. Or dial (503) 640-0952

Medical care from community clinics for low income and those with limited or no insurance

Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Clinics - Provide primary health care for the whole family. They focus on prevention and health maintenance by offering, among other health care services, physicals, immunizations, well child exams, and family planning are some of the services. Call (503) 352-6000

The low income, uninsured, and those with no other options can contact Essential Health Care Clinic in Hillsboro Oregon for free or low cost medical care. Call (503) 846-4919

Find more free community clinics and health centers in Washington County Oregon. Read more.

 

 

Food assistance

Beaverton Seventh Day Adventist - This is a religious organization gives emergency food box and has a clothing closet on site as well. (503) 591-9025

Sunshine Pantry - A non-profit that runs a food pantry and is also offering food, household items, clothing,  toys and toiletries for needy families in Beaverton Oregon. (971) 506-7827

Gales Creek Community church - Monthly food boxes. (503) 357-8873

Sonrise Church's of Hillsboro (dial (503) 640-2449) offers a Food Pantry & Clothing Closet programs. The programs distribute food and clothing to needy people once a month in the community.

Several other food distribution centers and pantries provide assistance to anyone who needs help. Click here to find a listing of more Washington County Oregon food banks.