Rent Assistance

The Washington County Department of Housing Services and Housing Authority of Washington County operates several long-term rent assistance programs, serving more than 5,000 households in Washington County. Rent assistance programs help families pay their rent, often to any landlord in the County, so that the household is able to afford other expenses. In these programs, the family portion of rent is calculated as a percentage of income. Expand the information below to learn more about each of our rent assistance programs.

At this time, the following programs are accepting new clients:

• Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) – Referred through Department of Human Services
• Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)– Referred through the Department of Veteran Services
• Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance (RLRA) – Referred through Community Connect

All other programs are currently working to serve households on our waitlists, and are closed to new applicants. If you are currently on a waitlist and would like to check your status, please visit our RENTCafe site.

If you are a landlord interested in leasing to households who receive rent assistance, please visit our Landlord Resources page to learn more.

Housing Choice Vouchers (also called Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program (also called Section 8) helps low-income individuals and families pay their monthly rent in privately owned apartments or houses. This is a federal program administered by the Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The tenant’s portion of the rent is paid directly to the property owner or manager, and the Housing Authority pays a portion of the rent as well.

In general, a household must be at or below 50% Area Median Income (AMI) to qualify for the HCV program (see table below). Families are screened for eligibility when they are selected from the waitlist.

The HCV waitlist is currently closed. The next anticipated opening of the HCV waitlist is estimated to be in 2026.

Regional Long-term Rent Assistance

Regional Long-term Rent Assistance (RLRA) is a regional program that provides rent assistance and wrap-around services to households facing housing instability. The program was established in 2020 by County voters through the Supportive Housing Services measure.

RLRA primarily serves households experiencing or at high risk of homelessness. In general, a household must be at or below 30% Area Median Income (AMI) to qualify for RLRA (see table below).

RLRA is a referral program, meaning the Department of Housing Services receives referrals of eligible applicants from partner agencies. If you are interested in accessing RLRA, please contact Community Connect, Washington County’s coordinated entry system.

Emergency Housing Vouchers

Emergency Housing Vouchers were issued in 2021 as part of the federal American Rescue Plan Act. These vouchers were intended to assist individuals and families who were homeless or at risk of homeless, or who had experienced domestic violence or other instability.

Washington County received 89 Emergency Housing Vouchers, and is now authorized to continue to serve those households until they no longer need assistance. The program no longer allows for new enrollments.

Foster Youth to Independence

Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) vouchers provided rent assistance to youth exiting foster care who are at risk of homelessness, or youth who have become homeless after having been in foster care. The FYI program includes special resources and services to help youth transition to self-sufficiency.

FYI serves youth between the ages of 18 and 24, with rent assistance for up to 60 months.

FYI is a referral program, with eligible applicants received through the Oregon Department of Human Services.

Mainstream Vouchers

Mainstream vouchers assist non-elderly persons (age 18-61) with disabilities. Similar to the Housing Choice Voucher program, Mainstream vouchers help low-income individuals and families pay their monthly rent in privately owned apartments or houses.

To qualify for the program, applicants must have a diagnosed disability and be homeless or at risk of homelessness. In general, a household must be at or below 50% Area Median Income (AMI) to qualify for a Mainstream voucher, though sometimes lower incomes are prioritized (see table below).

The Mainstream waitlist is currently closed. The next anticipated opening of the Mainstream waitlist is estimated to be in 2026.

Project-Based Vouchers

Project-based vouchers provide rent assistance to low-income households, but are linked to a specific unit at a specific site. The assistance is serving whoever is currently living in that unit, as opposed to assistance tied to a household or family. The household living in the unit pays a portion of the rent (calculated based on income) to the landlord, and the Housing Authority pays the rest.

In general, a household must be at or below 50% Area Median Income (AMI) to qualify for a project-based voucher unit, though some units have lower income requirements (see table below). Families are screened for eligibility when they are selected from the waitlist.

The project-based voucher waitlist is currently closed. The next anticipated opening of the project-based voucher waitlist is estimated to be in 2026.

Public Housing

Public Housing is federally funded program similar to project-based vouchers, where the assistance is tied a specific unit or building. Public Housing properties are owned and maintained by the Housing Authority of Washington County. The household living in the public housing unit pays a rent amount based on a percentage of their income.

To be eligible for public housing, a household must be at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI). Households whose income is at or below 30% AMI are prioritized (see table below.)

The public housing waitlist is currently closed. The next anticipated opening of the public housing waitlist is estimated to be in 2026.

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers assist formerly homeless veterans who are engaged in social services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Similar to the Housing Choice Voucher program, VASH vouchers help low-income individuals and families pay their monthly rent in privately owned apartments or houses.

To qualify for the program, applicants must have a diagnosed disability and be homeless or at risk of homelessness. In general, a household must be at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) to qualify for a VASH voucher (see table below).

The Department of Veterans Affairs determines initial eligibility for the VASH program. More information about how to connect with our local Community Resource and Referral Center is available on the VASH webpage.

Short Term Rent Assistance

Washington County has several emergency or short term rent assistance programs available for qualifying households. Visit our Prevent Eviction page to learn more.

Income Eligibility

Because rent assistance programs are designed to serve those with lower incomes, households must meet income eligibility requirements to qualify for the homes. Income eligibility is based on Area Media Income (AMI), a calculation released annually by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The table below provides current eligibility calculations.

FY2024 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro Area Median Income