Housing instability continues to be a major challenge throughout the State of Oregon. The lack of safe affordable housing can negatively impact all areas of a person's life. Below are links to search for affordable rental housing in Oregon. As you contact the different offices, be sure to inquire about all the eligibility requirements and wait lists. Affordable Housing, General Lists
Community Action Agencies (CAAs)Oregon Community Action Agencies (CAAs) offer a variety of programs to serve low-income children, families, and seniors. Many CAAs own, manage or have developed affordable housing complexes. They build affordable housing units for individuals, families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Talk with a Housing CounselorOHCS partners with Oregon Housing Centers. These Centers offer housing counseling services
to help low and moderate-income families. They can help you find affordable rental housing and other living resources. Housing for Persons with Disabilities Source: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing
Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program (Section 811)About the Program This program enables those with disabilities to live as independently as possible. They can live in a housing environment that provides supportive services. Services may include:
HUD awards funds to private non-profit organizations. They use the funds to construct or rehabilitate supportive housing for persons with disabilities. There are two types of funding programs:
Who is Eligible?
Housing Group homes of eight or fewer units are typically single-family structures. They combine multiple bedrooms with a kitchen and shared living area. There is at least one bathroom for every four residents. Condominium or cooperative units are independent living facilities. They can be cooperatively owned by the residents. Independent living complexes consist of 16 or fewer units. In these units, each dwelling contains a kitchen and bathroom. This housing may also contain congregate dining, laundry, and community areas. Rent Amount Providers determine rent amount at 30% of adjusted monthly
income. Subsidized Housing Source: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)How Do I Apply?
Once you apply, you are placed on a waiting list. Because of the demand, waiting lists are often several years long. Ask that your application to be pre-qualified for
income—that way you know ahead of time if you qualify. And ask about local preferences (e.g. you are involuntarily displaced, paying more than 50% rent, etc.). You can find your local HUD PHA here. About the Program The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) provides rent vouchers for housing in the private market. This program is for low-income individuals, families, the elderly and the disabled. It is the largest assisted housing program administered by HUD. There are two kinds of vouchers: tenant-based and project-based.
Who is Eligible? There is no age requirement.
Housing Depending on your location, housing options can include:
Individuals can pick anywhere they want to live as long as the owner agrees to rent using the program's guidelines. Rent Amounts The program calculates rental amount using the greatest of:
PHAs pay the property owner directly and the residents pay the difference to the property owner.
Income-restricted Subsidized HousingSome apartment buildings offer low-income individuals to rent at
cheaper-than-normal rates. This is sometimes known as subsidized housing or affordable housing. Subsidized housing usually targets households earning about 50% of the area’s medium income. This can vary significantly from location to location. Qualifying for income-restricted housing depends on the area and federal, state, and local programs. Tenants must meet limited-income requirements to rent such apartments. Always check the building’s website to figure out what the requirements are. Qualifying requirements often vary among apartment buildings and areas of the state. It depends on specific federal or local programs. Some rentals might have a maximum $20,000 annual salary, while others might be $40,000 or higher. Rental buildings also have a minimum income requirement. Potential tenants with extremely low income can use other sources of income. Students, for instance, might have income from parents or college grants and scholarships. Finding income-restricted units can be tricky since they are not listed in a group in any one place. They are frequently embedded in mixed-income housing with market rate units. Some income-restricted apartment buildings are located near or next to no-restriction buildings. They often appear just as attractive. You can also find low-income units online through apartment search guides. Use terms like “income-restricted,” “affordable,” and “subsidized” to filter through. If you see nice-looking apartments with
various amenities at lower rates than normal for the area, they might be income restricted. Below are just some of the apartment locations listed throughout Oregon. These apartments offer income-restricted units. A quick search on these sites can go a long way to find units opening up near you:
Use search terms like “low income,” “income restricted,” “affordable” and
“subsidized” to find units available near you. Some apartment buildings that offer income-restricted units are: Ashley Garden Apartments Ashley Senior Center Apts (Senior-focused) Stratford Apartments Beaverton Quatama Crossing BriarCreek Apartment Eugene Sorgenfri & Hawthorne Park Retirement Community (Senior-focused) Willamette Gardens Mary Skinner Apts Walnut Park Duplexes Oak Leaf Village Portland The Sitka Apartments (Downtown Portland) The Yards at Union Station Apartments (Downtown Portland) 38 Davis (Downtown Portland) Rockwood Station Apartments (East Portland/Gresham) Uptown Tower Apartments (Senior-focused, SW Portland) Collins Circle Apartments (Downtown Portland) The Arleta (SE Portland) Pearl Court Apartments (NW Portland) Pier Park Apartments (North Portland) Hamilton West Apartments (Downtown Portland) Kaskela Manor Apartments (NE Portland) Medford Conifer Gardens Spring Streets Apartments
Project-based Section 8 HousingThere are a number of small and medium-sized buildings where everyone in the building pays about a third of their income for rent. You apply for housing directly with the apartment landlord office. Are you on a mobile device? You can get a list of the buildings in your area by visiting their searchable website. (Turn location services ON.)
Public Housing AssistancePublic housing is rental housing for low-income families, the elderly and those with disabilities. HUD administers funding to local Public Housing Agencies that manage the housing. Over 1 million families live in public housing. Who is Eligible? Low-income families (80% of median) and individuals including the elderly and those with a disability. Income limits will vary based on area. Your local PHA can provide those limits. Once you are accepted in public housing, you must live in the community where you are accepted. Type of Housing Public housing can include everything from single-family homes, to duplexes to high-rise apartments. Rent Amount Rent is referred to as Total Tenant Payment (TTP) and calculated using the greatest of:
You may stay in the property as long as you comply with the lease. How Do I Apply?
Preferences are usually given to the elderly and disabled. Senior Housing Source: https://www.seniorliving.org/hud-senior-housing-programs/
Affordable Housing for SeniorsMore aging Americans find it difficult to find affordable housing. Subsidized housing assistance programs are experiencing longer waiting lists. In recent years, the demand has grown greater than the number of housing units available. Elderly individuals living on limited incomes find it tougher to stretch household budgets. How to Apply? Generally, applicants for senior housing must be at least 62 years of age to qualify. In order to qualify for low-income housing a senior must meet certain eligibility requirements. Income eligibility
requirements vary depending on state and county of residence. Seniors must verify their household income each year. And report any changes in income that may occur throughout the year. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers assistance to qualified individuals who need help paying rent. To qualify for HUD housing assistance, annual household income must be below 50 percent of the median income for that area. Under most HUD programs, seniors pay 30 percent of their annual adjusted income for rent. The federal government then pays the difference. Calculate your monthly household income and total assets before applying. In many cases, applicants must have a criminal background check and credit check. You also may need to provide the names and contact information for current and previous landlords as references. Other Housing Options Look into personal care homes that accept seniors over the age of 65 with little or no other source of income other than SSI (Supplemental Security Income). Seniors who have only limited income and assets qualify for this program. The program applies income from the SSI check directly to the cost of residing in the personal care home. A small allowance from the check is returned to the resident to pay for personal expenses. Contact your state Medicaid office or county assistance office for more information. Eligibility requirements vary from state
to state. Individuals or couples who own a home may qualify for some custodial care services. This may be in the home or in an assisted living facility. Individuals who have spent savings and other assets to pay medical bills often need housing subsidies. See also, on this webpage: Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly Section 8) for Seniors Public Housing for Seniors Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) for SeniorsThe Housing Choice Voucher Program
(HCVP) provides rent vouchers for housing in the private market for low income individuals, families, the elderly and the disabled. It is the largest assisted housing program administered by HUD. How to Apply? Apply at your local PHA. They will collect information on family income (tax returns, bank
statements, Social Security, etc.) assets, and family composition. Medical expenses, health insurance payments, prescriptions and future medical expenses are taken into consideration. Once you apply, you are placed on a waiting list. Because of the demand, waiting lists are often several years long. Ask that your application to be pre-qualified for income—that way you know ahead of time if you qualify. And ask about local preferences (e.g. you are involuntarily displaced, paying more than 50% rent, etc.). About the Program There are two kinds of vouchers: tenant-based and project-based. Tenant-based vouchers (TBVs) move with the renter. Project-based vouchers (PBVs) are assigned to particular units and buildings and are not transferable. Who is Eligible? There is no age requirement. Families or individuals who meet the extremely low-income requirements
(30% of the area's median), and very-low-income (50% of area median) based on total gross income. In some cases, those with low income (80% of area median) are eligible. Income such as pensions, retirement accounts, IRAs, insurance annuities, and assets such as real estate, cars, etc. ARE counted when assessing eligibility. Housing Depending on your location, housing options can include single-family homes, townhouses and even apartments. Individuals
can pick anywhere they want to live as long as the owner agrees to rent using the program's guidelines. Rent Amounts Rental amount is calculated by using the greatest of: - 30% of monthly adjusted income - 10% of monthly income - The welfare rent in as-paid states - Or the PHA minimum rent ($25 or up to $50). PHAs pay the property owner directly and the residents pay the difference to the property owner.
Public Housing for SeniorsHUD helps more than 900,000 seniors with affordable housing through its programs. There are three types of affordable HUD rent programs for the elderly: public housing, Section 202 Supportive Housing, and voucher housing programs.
*Several important things to keep in mind with HUD programs: The waiting lists are often long (from two to five years), especially in metro
areas. For those in need of assisted care, HUD offers limited options. HUD designs programs primarily for independent seniors. One Public Housing Agency (PHA) may not have the housing you're looking for. Yet, other PHAs might have available housing. Who is Eligible? Low-income families (80% of median) and individuals including the elderly and those with a disability. Income limits will vary based on area. Your local PHA can provide those limits. Once you are accepted in public housing, you must live in the community where you are accepted. Type of Housing Public housing can include:
Rent Amount Rent is referred to as Total Tenant Payment (TTP) and calculated using the greatest of:
You may stay in the property as long as you comply with the lease agreement. How Do I Apply?
Preferences are usually given to the elderly and disabled. See
also: - Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly Section 8) for Seniors - Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyThis rental assistance housing program is for seniors and people with disabilities. It helps them live as independently as possible. And it offers some who may need assistance with activities of daily living. This can include activities like dressing and bathing. Common features of these communities include housekeeping, transportation, referral services, and counseling. The types of services and amenities will vary by senior housing community. HUD established the Section 202 program in 1959. It is the only program within HUD to provide housing exclusively to seniors. HUD provides loans to private, nonprofit organizations to construct supportive housing. This housing is for very low-income seniors and provides rent subsidies. Who is Eligible? Those 62 and older with very low household income (50% of area median). The average resident age is 79. The average yearly income is $10,018. Type of Housing for Seniors Typically, housing for seniors consists of:
Rent
Amount Rental amount is calculated by using the greatest of:
How Do I Apply? Contact the individual housing community you are interested in. Obtain a list of properties from
your local PHA. Wait lists are usually at least a year. Preferences for admission include:
Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP) This program, started in 1978, provides funds to Section 202 housing communities. The program “helps frail and persons with disabilities avoid premature or unnecessary institutionalization.” This valuable program provides funding to 51 public housing agencies. It also serves private assisted housing owners. These communities provide residents at least one hot meal per day in a group setting, 7 days per week. Other non-medical services provided include housekeeping, personal assistance, transportation and social services. Contact your local PHA to see if the program is available at area elderly housing locations. External Link Disclaimer: This page contains links that take you off OHCS's website. We strive to ensure related content is accurate to the best of our knowledge. However, OHCS is not responsible for the content of the linked websites. |