Homeless prevention assistance in Washington County Oregon.
Washington County tenants and the homeless can seek eviction and rehousing assistance from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development Emergency Solution Grant program, or ESG. This is a homeless prevention program that helps people at risk of homelessness. It combines emergency money for paying housing needs, such as to stop an eviction, as well as income based apartments for the currently homeless.
When it comes to rapid rehousing in Washington County Oregon, there are a few different resources available. They include emergency shelters; free motel or hotel vouchers; and then long term, income based housing. The last option is the goal, and the homes available in the county will require the tenant to pay up to 30% of their income for their rent as well as utility bills. The terms of rehousing will be closely documented as well as the start and end dates of their lease.
- Overnight shelter is for men, women, and veterans.
- Since moms or those fleeing violence can seek both legal aid and placement into a motel.
- ESG grants may be used for security or utility deposits, lease application fees, and other expenses.
Another service in the county is HRSS, or the Housing Relocation and Stabilization Services. This is often part of rehousing. Relocation and stabilization is a requirements when someone moves into a new home. The service is for families or individuals that will evicted. This is a multi-month process that requires meeting between a staff member and the client.
Case managers in Washington County will help the family locate a new affordable home or apartment. They will help help place the client into this new property. As part of the placement process, applications will be completed to programs that pay security deposits as well as first months rent.
If a family can't qualify for HRSS (maybe due to a past history of evictions) then enrollment into credit repair as well as legal services will be offered by a third party in Washington County. They may also offer referrals to other federal or state of Oregon programs in Hillsboro for stopping homelessness as well as evictions.
Other general program requirements for either rent-assistance activity under the ESG program include provisions the list below:
- The home selected must be suitable for household size and the monthly rent must be compared to other homes or apartments of similar size or locations in Washington County. It also needs to be habitable, including safe and meet Lead Based Paint roles.
- The tenant will need to put some of their income towards the rent as well as other economic self-sufficiency needs, such as employment or gas vouchers.
- Applicants with a past history of evictions or foreclosures can still apply for placement as well.
Emergency eviction prevention will provide assistance for up to 2 years. This is the maximum, and the type of help available in the city of Hillsboro Oregon and Washington County may be legal assistance, financial or case management type support. The Emergency Solutions Grant Program is used to pay for these eviction resources.
To apply, see the intake number below. When found eligible, there will be a reassessment done of the tenant every 3 months. This is required to determine if they can still be qualified for eviction prevention assistance.
Grants may be issued from ESG for paying arrears on rent or energy bill costs. The other forms of assistance include housing stability case management and landlord/tenant mediation, all of which are tools for stopping evictions. This help is offered on a first come and served basis.
All across Washington County Oregon are agencies awarded money from ESG. Some of them are based in Hillsboro, and other organizations are located in other towns and cities in the county. The United Way is often a good source to learn about them. No matter which agency is applied to, there is always some form of eviction help given, even if the grants do run out.
For more information, and a list of homeless prevention programs in Washington County Oregon, residents should text their zip code to 898211.
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