Oregon rental assistance.
The state of Oregon administers emergency rental assistance programs for seniors as well as people who are faced with an eviction. There are limitations in place, and they may not necessarily be available to the general population. The resources are the Oregon Low Income Rental Housing Assistance Program as well as the Elderly Rental Assistance Program. Both options can help low income families, people faced with a crisis, and others who may have an eviction notice.
Families with children who have received an eviction notice may be able to receive financial assistance and funds from the Oregon Low Income Rental Housing Assistance Program. Cash grants and funds are intended to help low income families and struggling individuals who are in danger of being evicted from their apartment or home due to a financial hardship or crisis that is beyond their immediate control. Details of the program are below.
The primary goal is to both prevent homelessness and to also intervene in situations in which someone has an eviction notice. The program can assist very-low-income households by providing cash grants and short-term rental assistance. Funds are intended to help those families that are in danger of losing their rental units because of involuntary hardship, an unexpected emergency or homelessness.
The program is run and funded by the Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS). They partner closely with local community action agencies as well as government housing authorities across the state. As with most financial assistance programs, not just anyone can receive aid, and there are eligibility requirements. They include some or all of the following.
In order to qualify for the Oregon Rental Housing Assistance Program, the applying household’s income from all sources can’t exceed certain statewide averages. There are also criteria established around the size of the household and the number of children in the residence. Typically the applicant needs to have a plan in place for self-sufficiency.
If after applying for help, if you are found to be qualified, households may be able to receive a grant from the Low Income Rental Housing Fund that can pay for up to six months of monthly rental housing expenses.
Details on Oregon Low Income Rental Housing Assistance Program application process
In order to qualify, you will need to call and apply at your local community action agency. There are offices in most major towns and counties across the state. Very low-income households may qualify for an emergency cash grant if they are in danger of losing their rental units due to an involuntary financial hardship. A financial hardship is usually defined as an unexpected medical problem, domestic violence, a natural disaster, or a job layoff or reduction in hours at work. Families who are faced with an eviction or who are experiencing homelessness may qualify for a grant to pay their rent if they can benefit from local community resources or non-profit programs.
A key is that participants in the program must be able to become self-sufficient in six months (the period of the grant) as the program is not intended to be a never ending charity type resource. Just some of the resources that might help the household during this six months window include job training, physical therapy, counseling or rehabilitation.
A direct result of the partnership with community action agencies across Oregon is that grant funds may also be combined with other funding or housing sources, which will be decided at the community action agency’s discretion. So multiple methods are used in an effort to provide additional housing assistance for needy households in the community.
To apply for help, or to talk with someone about resources and services in your local area or county, contact your local community action agency. Or find additional emergency rental assistance in Oregon.
Oregon Elderly Rental Assistance Program
This is another option that is available for qualified families. People who are over the age of 58, and who are low income, may qualify for aid from the Elderly Rental Assistance (ERA). The resource was created for low-income senior citizens as well as people age 58 or older who rent their home. So this tends to be more age based.
The Oregon ERA program is based on the applicant’s household income, assets, and also the amount of rent, fuel, and utilities that the renter has paid. In order to receive help, the property you rent must be subject to property tax, the applicant must meet low income standards, and you must meet age requirements. Call your local community action agency to learn more.
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