Libraries Assist Housing Authority of Washington County in Reaching Clients

For Immediate Release: Monday, April 27, 2015

Public Library Computers Available for those Applying Online for Services

Washington County, Oregon: The Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) is pleased to partner with the Housing Authority of Washington County (HAWC). The week of May 2 – 9 the HAWC will be taking applications for their Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing waitlists. If applicants do not have Internet access, they can use the public computers at WCCLS member libraries to submit an application online. In addition, staff from the Housing Authority will be at WCCLS libraries and PCC locations at scheduled times throughout the week to help people apply.

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program and the Public Housing program are HAWC's largest housing assistance programs. These programs assist families that earn less than 50% of median income, which amounts to approximately $36,750 for a family of four. (In Washington County, the median income for a family of four is about $73,900.) In both programs, participating families pay about 30% of their income towards their housing costs, and the Housing Authority pays the rest. The Housing Authority receives enough funding to serve about 3,000 households through these two programs.

The Housing Authority will use a random lottery to select 2,500 households for the Section 8 waitlist, and 2,500 households for the Public Housing waitlist. All applications submitted between May 2 and May 9, 2015 will have an equal chance of being selected in the random lottery—date and time of application will not be a factor. Duplicate applications will be removed before the lottery.

If you need special accommodation to submit an application, write to HAWC at:

Attn: Waitlist Opening
Housing Authority of Washington County
111 NE Lincoln Street, Ste 200-L MS 63, Hillsboro OR 97124

Requests for special accommodation should be made before the opening window if at all possible. The application window may not be extended.

To learn more about the Housing Authority waitlist opening, visit www.co.washington.or.us/housingpreap. This site includes a link to the application, links to PSA videos, and a list of the days and times when Housing staff will be available to help the public at WCCLS member libraries.

The Housing Authority plays an important role in providing affordable housing in Washington County. WCCLS is happy to have the opportunity to assist HAWC in this critical service to our community.

HAWC Contact:
Kimberly Armstrong, Program Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
111 NE Lincoln Street, Hillsboro, OR 97124-3082, Suite: 200-L
Main Office Phone: (503) 846-4794

The Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) includes the Banks Public Library, Beaverton City Library (and Murray Scholls branch), Cedar Mill Community Library (and Bethany branch), Cornelius Public Library, Forest Grove City Library, Garden Home Community Library, Hillsboro Public Libraries (Main and Shute Park), North Plains Public Library, Sherwood Public Library, Tigard Public Library, Tualatin Public Library, West Slope Community Library, and the WCCLS Outreach to Homebound.

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