Housing Services
2011 marks 41 years of providing and developing affordable housing opportunities in Washington County.
Begun in 1970 with the creation of the Housing Authority of Washington County, the effort continues today in the Department of Housing Services (DHS). The Department of Housing Services was formed in 1992 to administer housing activities and programs of the County and the Housing Authority. The Housing Authority remains a separate legal entity and contracts with the County to implement and administer Housing Authority programs and all support services (e.g. finance, purchasing, and personnel).
The mission of the Department of Housing Services is to provide affordable housing opportunities to help break the cycle of poverty and improve the quality of life in our community.
Working in partnership with both the non-profit and the private sector, the Department of Housing Services combines traditional housing programs with economic opportunity to encourage self sufficiency, skill enhancement and independence.
The DHS offers rental assistance to low income households through various federally funded programs, and also creates affordable housing opportunities in the community for low and moderate income households through a combination of creative financing and partnerships with public and private entities.
Additionally, the DHS is the lead agency for A Road Home: Washington County's Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness.
Resident/Participant Newsletter Now Online
We are pleased to announce that our newsletter for participants in our rental assistance programs is now available online!
In the current issue:
- Scholarship Opportunities for Residents
- Text4Baby Offers Free Text Support for Pregnant Women & New Moms
- Spay & Save Affordable Spay/Neuter Program for Cats & Kittens
- Preventing Furniture Tip-Overs and Other Safety Tips
Housing Authority Board of Directors Seeks Candidates
Providing affordable housing in Washington County is a formidable job. Seven Board members appointed by the Washington County Board of County Commissioners help the Housing Services Department and Housing Advisory Committee with this task. The Housing Authority Board of Directors (HABOD) assists the Board of Commissioners by making decisions on countywide housing policy issues as well as policies affecting operations of the County's four core housing programs.
Currently the HABOD is seeking two new candidates:
- Member-at-Large position, and
- Resident Member Assisted by the Housing Authority
If you are interested in applying for one of these positions, please see the HABOD page for complete details.
General Waiting Lists Closed as of September 1, 2011
The Housing Authority of Washington County closed its waiting lists for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program and the Public Housing program on September 1, 2011. The lists are closed until further notice.
If your name is already on the list, you do not need to reapply. However, you must continue to keep your personal information up-to-date on your waiting list application by reporting changes in writing to the HAWC office within 10 business days from the date the change occurred.
HAWC will continue to accept applications for project-based housing. Applications for project-based housing will only be accepted from households who meet project-based eligibility criteria. Project-based housing is only available to single individuals and 1-bedroom households. Project-based housing sites offer a preference for persons who would benefit from either mental health services, substance abuse services, or Veterans services. Other eligibility criteria may apply, depending on the site.
Applications for Project-Based Housing are available at the office or online.
Public Notice: Request for Proposals – Project Based Vouchers
Vouchers for Extremely Low Income or Chronically Homeless Available for Project-Basing
Washington County issued a public notice August 24, 2011, seeking qualified firms to participate in the Project-Based Voucher program.
Proposals must be turned in to the Washington County Purchasing Department Office, Public Services Building, Suite 270, 155 North First Avenue, Hillsboro, OR 97124.
The proposal period is open until all Project-Based Vouchers are obligated.
An informational pre-proposal conference will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 in the Sequoia Room of Suite 270 of the Public Services Building at the address above.
A copy of the Request for Proposals (RFP) is posted on the Oregon Procurement Information Network (ORPIN), or a copy may be downloaded for review here. Proposers are responsible for checking the ORPIN site for any addendums before submitting their proposals.
Need to contact someone?
See our Contact List for the most recent caseload assignments and links to e-mail staff.
