Housing Services

2013 marks 43 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.

Electronic Funds Transfers Now Available for Landlords and Program Participants

Tired of dealing with Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) checks or Utility Reimbursement Payment (URP) checks?  You may now request to be paid HAP via Electronic Funds Transfer.  To request EFT payments, complete the EFT Application and e-mail it back to us.

2010-2011 Annual Report

The Department of Housing Services Annual Report is now available.

The Washington County Housing Services Annual Report includes demographics, performance measures, and achievements and highlights of the Housing Authority and Housing Services programs and activities for FY2011 (July 2010 - June 2011).

Fall Issue of DHS News Now Online

The latest issue of our Resident Newsletter, Department of Housing Services News, is now available online!  In this issue: whooping cough information, back to school safety, Spay & Save and more!

General Waiting Lists Closed

As of September 1, 2011, the waiting lists for Housing Choice Vouchers and Public Housing are closed until further notice.

At this time, applications are accepted for project-based housing only.

For a project-based housing application, or an update to report changes, please visit our Applicants & Waiting Lists page.

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.