Housing assistance in Oregon is not run out of a single state office. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) funds many of the programs, but applications go through local agencies: your local public housing authority handles Section 8 vouchers and public housing, and a local Community Action Agency handles most rent and utility help. If you are not sure where to start, dial 211 or visit 211info.org. It is a free statewide referral service that will point you to the right agency for your area.1211info. 211info – Connect. Inform. Empower.
What Programs Are Available
Different programs solve different problems. Knowing which one fits your situation saves weeks, because each has its own agency and its own application.
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities pay rent in privately owned housing. You find the unit yourself, and the local public housing authority (PHA) pays part of the rent directly to your landlord. You pay the rest.2USAGov. Section 8 Housing Oregon has more than 20 PHAs, from Home Forward in Portland to Housing Works in Central Oregon.3U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. PHA Contact Report – Oregon
Public Housing
Public housing is government-owned rental housing managed by local PHAs. Rent is set based on your income rather than the market rate. Units range from single-family homes to apartment complexes. Not every Oregon PHA operates public housing, so check with the authority that serves your county.
Rental Assistance Through Community Action Agencies
For rental help outside the voucher program — including money toward current rent, past-due rent, and eviction prevention — the local Community Action Agency (CAA) is the point of contact. OHCS funds these agencies but does not take applications directly. You can find the nearest CAA at caporegon.org/find-help or through 211.4Oregon Housing and Community Services. Rental and Housing Assistance
Security Deposit Help
Some Oregon agencies offer one-time help with security deposits, including CAAs and certain coordinated care organizations. Availability varies by location and funding runs out quickly, so 211 has the most current list.1211info. 211info – Connect. Inform. Empower.
Emergency Shelter
If you need somewhere to sleep tonight, Oregon has emergency shelters and transitional housing programs across the state. Capacity changes daily. Call 211 for real-time availability.
Utility Bill Assistance
Two programs help keep utilities on. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides a grant applied directly to your energy bill through your utility company. The Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP) specifically helps households at risk of electric disconnection. Both are administered by local community agencies funded by OHCS.5Oregon Housing and Community Services. Utility Bill Payment Assistance For the 2026 program year, LIHEAP heating and cooling benefits range from $250 to $750, with crisis assistance up to $1,000.6The LIHEAP Clearinghouse. Oregon – Low-Income Energy Programs
Who Qualifies
Every program has its own eligibility rules. They share four common factors: income, household size, assets, and citizenship or residency.
Income Limits
Section 8 vouchers require household income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for your county. HUD also requires that at least 75% of new voucher admissions go to families at the extremely low-income level, which is 30% of AMI. In practice, families above that 30% threshold face the longest waits. Some other programs, like the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program, use 80% of AMI.7HUD Exchange. HOME Income Limits AMI varies by county, so a family that qualifies in one part of Oregon may not qualify in another.
Energy assistance uses a different yardstick. Both LIHEAP and OEAP in Oregon use 60% of the state median income. For the 2026 program year, a single person qualifies with annual gross income up to $38,385, and a family of four qualifies with income up to $73,817.8Oregon Housing and Community Services. LIHEAP and OEAP Energy Assistance Intake Operations and Policy Manual
Household Size
Income limits go up with each additional person in the household. A family of six has a higher income ceiling than a family of two. You will list everyone living in the home, including children, on your application.
Assets
For the Housing Choice Voucher program, federal rules limit eligibility when a family’s net assets exceed a cap that HUD adjusts each year for inflation. Families also cannot receive voucher assistance if they own real property that is suitable for them to live in, with exceptions for situations like domestic violence, jointly owned property occupied by a co-owner outside the household, or property currently listed for sale.9HUD Exchange. Assets, Asset Exclusions, and Limitation on Assets Resource Sheet
Citizenship and Oregon Residency
Most federally funded programs, including Section 8, require applicants to be U.S. citizens or have eligible immigration status. Not every Oregon program does. The state’s Housing Support Services program, for example, does not require U.S. citizenship or legal residency.10Oregon Housing and Community Services. How to Apply for Housing Support Services For state and local programs, you will need to show that you live in Oregon.
What to Gather Before You Apply
Missing paperwork is one of the most common reasons applications stall. Exact requirements depend on the program, but agencies generally ask for:
- A valid photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or tribal ID. If you do not have photo identification, many programs accept two alternative documents such as a Social Security card and a birth certificate.
- Proof of income: recent pay stubs (typically three consecutive months), your most recent federal tax return, Social Security benefit statements, or unemployment records. Every household member 18 or older must report income, including those with zero income.10Oregon Housing and Community Services. How to Apply for Housing Support Services
- Proof of Oregon residency: a utility bill, current lease, or other document showing your Oregon address.
- Household composition: birth certificates for children and documents showing who lives in the home.
- Asset information: bank statements and details on any property you own.
- A reliable phone number, mailing address, and email address.
Make copies of everything. If you mail your application, send it by certified mail so you have proof of delivery.
Where to Apply
There is no single application. Where you apply depends on what you need.
For Section 8 or Public Housing
Apply directly to the public housing authority that serves your area. Oregon PHAs include Home Forward (Portland), the Housing Authority of Clackamas County, the Housing Authority of Washington County, Homes for Good in Lane County, and many others.3U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. PHA Contact Report – Oregon Most PHAs accept applications online; some also take paper applications by mail or in person. Many PHAs only open their waiting lists periodically. If the list is closed when you check, ask to be notified when it reopens.
For Rent or Utility Help
Contact your local Community Action Agency. The CAA handles intake, determines eligibility, and distributes the funds. OHCS funds them but does not accept applications directly.4Oregon Housing and Community Services. Rental and Housing Assistance
If You Are Not Sure Which Program Fits
Call 211 or 866-698-6155, or visit 211info.org. The service covers all of Oregon and connects you with local housing, shelter, utility assistance, and other programs.1211info. 211info – Connect. Inform. Empower. Specialists there can tell you which agencies are currently accepting applications and what to bring.
What Happens After You Apply
The agency will confirm it received your application and begin reviewing your information. What comes next depends heavily on the program.
Section 8 vouchers and public housing almost always involve a waiting list, because demand far outstrips supply. In recent years, the average wait for subsidized housing in Oregon has been roughly 22 months, and some areas run longer. Many PHAs use preference categories that move certain applicants ahead in line, such as people experiencing homelessness, veterans, or families with children. Ask your PHA whether any preferences apply to your situation.
The agency will verify what you submitted. Expect calls to your employer, your landlord, and possibly other references. Some programs require an in-person or phone interview. Keep your contact information current with the agency during this stretch, because a missed call or returned letter can cost you your place on the list.
You will get the decision in writing. If you are approved for a voucher, you will typically have a set number of days to find a qualifying rental unit. If you are approved for public housing, the PHA will offer you a unit when one opens. For rental or utility assistance through a CAA, funds are usually paid directly to the landlord or utility company.
If You Are Denied
A denial is not final. Federal regulations require your PHA to give you prompt written notice explaining why you were denied and telling you how to request an informal review.11eCFR. 24 CFR 982.554 – Informal Review
The person who reviews your case cannot be the same person who made the original decision. You have the right to present written or oral arguments. The PHA must then notify you of the final decision in writing, with reasons. Common grounds for denial include income above the limit, criminal history, or owing money to a previous housing authority. If the denial rests on how your income or household was counted and you have corrected documentation, bring it to the review.
Act quickly. PHAs set their own deadlines for requesting a review, and missing the window forfeits your right to challenge the decision.
Your Rights as an Applicant
Oregon’s fair housing protections go beyond federal law in a way that directly affects voucher holders.
Under ORS 659A.421, landlords cannot refuse to rent to you because you pay with a Section 8 voucher or any other form of local, state, or federal housing assistance. Source of income is a protected class alongside race, sex, religion, and other categories.12Oregon State Legislature. Oregon Revised Statutes 659A.421 A landlord who advertises “No Section 8” or refuses to process your application because you use a voucher is violating state law. The landlord can still turn you down for legitimate reasons like inability to pay the tenant portion of rent or past conduct issues, but the voucher itself cannot be the reason.
Oregon also prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, and familial status.12Oregon State Legislature. Oregon Revised Statutes 659A.421 If you believe you were discriminated against during the application process or while looking for housing with a voucher, you can file a complaint with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) or with HUD.