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Sale of Public Housing Units

Washington County will be moving forward with the sale of 60 of public housing units. This process is commonly known as a Section 18 Disposition and aligns with the housing authority's Public Housing Agency plan.

On December 13, 2023, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved the Housing Authority of Washington County to move forward with selling 60 of our public housing units. This process is commonly known as a Section 18 Disposition. This action aligns with the Housing Authority of Washington County goals stated in the Public Housing Agency plan, which include: 1) Increasing the availability of decent, safe, and affordable housing; 2) improving community quality of life and economic vitality; 3) promoting self-sufficiency and asset development of families and individuals; and 4) ensuring equal opportunity in housing for all in our community.

Attention Residents: Watch the December 4, 2024, Public Housing Resident Meeting recording.

Why sell public housing?

Due to long-standing funding challenges, maintaining single-family housing has become increasingly complex and expensive compared to multi-family housing. Because of this, there is a significant backlog in improvements and physical maintenance needs for homes like these. It is very important for the Housing Authority of Washington County to have an affordable housing portfolio that is sustainable and maintained at a high quality.

We plan to use proceeds from the sales of the 60 single-family homes to renovate existing affordable housing properties and build new, affordable housing developments.

Will current residents have to find new homes?

We are actively communicating with current residents to ensure they’re aware of plans. Households under 80% AMI will receive a rent assistance voucher that allows them to choose a new rental in the community while still receiving assistance to keep the rent affordable for their family. All Section 18 residents will receive relocation assistance, including finding a new place to live and moving and packing.

Current residents will also be offered the opportunity to purchase a home. Homeownership is a meaningful way to build financial equity and housing stability. We have partnered with Bienestar to provide homebuyer education and support programs for any resident who is interested in purchasing the home they currently live in. Homes will be offered at a discounted sales price to current residents.

When will the houses be sold?

Sales of homes will begin in the Spring of 2025. Our first priority is to offer homes to current residents. HAWC has hired a broker to facilitate sales with any current residents who chose to buy their homes and nonprofits/CBO partners who participate in selling homes to first-time homebuyers to ensure the homes offer affordable housing in the community. Lastly, any remaining homes will be sold on the open market to the general public.

Relocation Process

Your relocation process will consist of 7 steps:

  1. Meet with a Relocation Coordinator to discuss your relocation needs. Then, a referral will be sent to the Housing Authority of Washington County (HAWC) to send you your Intake and Eligibility Packet.
  1. Your Eligibility Packet will be emailed to you. Please complete all the necessary information, including ID, Social Security Information, Income Verification, Benefits Statements, or 2 months of pay stubs. Some of this information may already be on file with HAWC; if so, you will not need to provide it again. Return your completed Intake Packet to HAWC.
  1. Attend your voucher orientation. At your orientation, you will receive your voucher, rent calculation sheet, and the Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA), the paperwork you will give your new landlord to complete.
  1. Now you are ready to look for housing! Do not apply for any housing until you have received your voucher and received your RTA. Relocation will now issue you a 90-day notice and Notice of Eligibility to receive relocation benefits. The last of these notices will be issued no later than September 1, 2025.
  1. Complete applications for new housing. Relocation will pay for or reimburse your application fees. Once you have received approval on your rental application, your new landlord will complete the RTA paperwork and submit it to HAWC.
  1. HAWC will review the RTA for rent reasonableness and schedule your new home for inspection to ensure it meets HUD habitability standards. This will take approximately 14 days.
  1. After your home passes inspection, HAWC will confirm with your new landlord their commitment to pay rental assistance and authorize you to sign a new lease. Then, you will have relocation schedule movers and get your new keys. You will also coordinate with your current property manager to return keys to your current unit.

As a displaced renter, you are entitled to receive the following benefits:

  • Relocation Counseling Services—DDV will provide rental leads for replacement housing, help you complete applications, provide transportation assistance to view replacement housing, and communicate with new landlords to ensure the leasing process goes smoothly.
  • Direct payment for all move-in fees and security deposits. Relocation will pay any move-in fees unrelated to rent (those payments will come from you and your voucher).
  • We will provide you with boxes and packing materials and directly pay for professional movers to move your belongings. If you choose to move your own belongings, you must be able to do it in a single day so that you are not paying rent in 2 different locations. Let us know if you would like to self-move.

This process will not make anyone homeless. Everyone will be provided with a safe, decent, and sanitary home. We are here to help you succeed in relocating every step of the way!

Project Timeline

January 2025-December 2025 Relocation

January 2025-December 2026 Sale of Section 18 Units

Resident Engagement

As we work through the Public Housing Sale process, we are dedicated to robust resident engagement and communication, including:

  • Written correspondence and updates to ensure residents are fully informed and prepared for next steps and opportunities
  • Hosting informational meetings for residents impacted by the sales to provide the opportunity to ask questions, make requests, and share concerns
  • Connecting residents to Relocation Specialists who will assist in the search for new housing that fits the household’s individual needs
  • Creating individualized relocation plans to include contracted moving services

If you have additional questions or want more information, please email [email protected] or call 503-846-4772 (English only) or 503-846-4731 (English and Spanish).

FAQs

We have sent multiple letters to all residents of homes that are included in the 60 houses to be sold. If you are not sure if your home is on the list, you can email [email protected] with your name and address.

We have partnered with Bienestar to offer homebuyer education and down payment support programs for residents who are interested in purchasing the public housing home they currently live in. We have sent additional information and resources to residents who are interested in homebuyer assistance. If you are interested in further information, please email [email protected].

We are early in the planning and anticipate sales to begin in Spring 2025 However, resident relocation will take place through 2025. Our relocation consultant is conducting moves through a quarterly process, please contact the relocation consultant to schedule your interview and move out date. We will provide at least 90 days’ notice before your move out date.

We are committed to supporting our residents throughout the moving process. Each household is served by the relocation consultant, DDV Consulting, who will address any concerns and assist in the search for new housing. Your Relocation Specialist will also help in creating a personalized relocation plan. We will provide contracted moving services to ensure a smooth transition, and we are dedicated to making sure no resident experiences financial hardship due to the transition. Your new Tenant Protection Voucher is valid to use in Washington County at any market rate home or apartment that has reasonable rent and meets health and safety inspections requirements.

Current residents will receive a special kind of Housing Choice Voucher called a Tenant Protection Voucher. This is a voucher pays a portion of your rent to your landlord, which is 30% of your income, similar to how rent is calculated for public housing residents. You can take your voucher with you to use at any property that has a reasonable rent and meets health and safety requirements.

Your max voucher amount will be determined at your voucher orientation. The calculation worksheet will be reviewed with you in detail.

We have been very successful in finding replacement housing 90 days. While, it will take cooperation and work on your part to find housing. We do not think that you will require an extension. These will only be granted due to medical needs or in the case where you have secured replacement housing but it is waiting for inspection. Everyone must be vacated before December 31, 2025.

You are able to port your voucher to another jurisdiction anywhere in the country. That process takes time and you need to have the ability to travel to that municipality to complete the voucher process there. That travel is not reimbursed by relocation. If you are interested in porting your voucher, please reach out to your relocation team immediately.

Schedule an interview with your relocation team as soon as possible. The better we understand your obstacles to searching for housing, the better equipped we will be to help you overcome those obstacles.

Not necessarily. HUD will determine the appropriate voucher for your household size, taking into consideration any existing reasonable accommodation requests that were previously approved.

It is against Fair Housing Laws in the State of Oregon for a landlord to deny your application based on your source of payment. If you otherwise meet their rental criteria, they must accept Section 8.

No. You must rent within the limits that HUD has deemed reasonable so that you will not be rent burdened.

You will need to contact your property manager or resident services manager to be on a payment plan prior to receiving your Tenant Protection Voucher.

Yes. The Tenant Protection Voucher is assigned to you and will move with you to any new place you move. You will just need to let HAWC know and get a new RTA for any subsequent moves.

We would be excited to help you explore that option. Please reach out to [email protected] to receive information on programs that may provide additional downpayment assistance and homeownership training programs. If you are interested in purchasing, we urge you to start the process immediately. The goal should be to be pre-qualified for a home loan by no later than April 30, 2025.

The Tenant Protection Vouchers that are being issued cannot be used for mortgage payments. However, if you are able to purchase your home or another home, you will receive downpayment assistance in lieu of rental assistance in the amount of $7,200. This will be paid as soon as your have entered into a purchase and sale agreement and the home has passed a home inspection.

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