Waitlist Opening: Two New Project-Based Voucher Sites

The Housing Authority of Washington County (HAWC) will accept applications for two new Project Based Rental Assistance programs effective August 24, 2020 for new construction units to be leased in late October/early November 2020.

The projects include:

Red Rock Creek Commons – 1-bedroom units with a preference given to disabled applicants that can benefit from the services provided at the complex. Supportive services in partnership with Luke-Dorf include mental health services, crisis management, peer support services, skills training, and more.

Cedar Grove – Studio, 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments, accepting applications from all households.

Project-Based Vouchers

Project-Based Vouchers, just like Housing Choice Vouchers, provide rental assistance to low-income households. However, Project-Based Vouchers are linked to a specific unit at a specific site.

How do Project-Based Vouchers work?

When a Project-Based Voucher unit is available, applicants at the top of the list for that site are notified and must contact the site manager. Applicants are screened for their eligibility as tenants by the site manager and then are determined eligible for the rental assistance by the Department of Housing Services.

For more information on how the waitlist works, how to apply, and reporting changes, visit the HAWC website here.

How to Apply:

To apply for the Project-Based Voucher program for all sites except Bridge Meadows, apply online at portal.wchousingauthority.org. To request a paper application, language assistance, or reasonable accommodation assistance please contact the department at 503-846-3790 or visit us during our open office hours below:

Monday 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Wednesday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Friday 8:30 AM  – 11:30 AM

Be aware that these properties also have units without Project-Based Voucher assistance. To apply for units that do not have rental assistance, you must contact the property manager and go through their application process.

COVID-19 Update (COVID-19 Actualizaciones)

The Housing Services lobby is open by appointment only with limited lobby hours.

Monday:       8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Wednesday: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Friday:           8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

We are committed to the health, wellness and safety of our program participants and staff.  Face coverings will be required for in person visits, a face covering will be provided if needed.   Please limit your party to no more than two individuals per visit and consider utilizing phone or email. 

General Contact Information

Phone: (503) 846-3790

Fax: (503) 846-4795

Email: voucherteam@co.washington.or.us

The following services remain available:

• Staff will remain available by phone and email
• Appointments for in person meetings may be arranged on a case-by-case basis
• Documents and payments may be submitted by fax, email, or through our drop box
• Housing assistance payments will be issued as usual
• You may make an interim change request to report temporary loss of income due to COVID-19 or other circumstance

COVID-19 Actualizaciones

El vestíbulo del Departamento de Viviendas estará abierto solamente por cita con horario limitado.

Horario del Vestíbulo:

lunes:                                    8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

miércoles:                           1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

viernes:                                8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Para asistencia comuníquese con su especialista de viviendas o nuestra línea general: (503) 846-3790

Estamos comprometidos a la salud, el bienestar y la seguridad de los participantes y el personal de nuestro programa.  Se requerirán cubiertas faciales para las citas en persona, se proporcionara una cubierta facial si es necesario.  Favor de limitar su grupo a no más de dos personas por cita, considere utilizar un teléfono o correo electrónico como una alternativa de comunicación.

Si tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud, comuníquese directamente con su especialista social o utilice los contactos departamentales generales a continuación:

Información de contacto general:

Teléfono: (503) 846-3790

Fax: (503) 846-4795

Correo electrónico: voucherteam@co.washington.or.us

Los siguientes servicios permanecen disponibles:

• Personal permanecerá disponible por teléfono y correo electrónico
• Citas para las reuniones en persona se pueden organizar caso por caso
• Documentos pueden enviarse por fax, correo electrónico a través de nestro buzón
• Los pagos de asistencia para viviendas se emitirán por normal
• Pueda realizar una solicitud de cambio provisional para informar una pérdida temporal de ingresos debido a COVID-19 u otra circunstancia

Nearly 50 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 a continuum of affordable housing options that promote community strength. Please follow the link to access the Department of Housing Services 2017-2027 Strategic Plan.

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.

Upcoming Office Closures

In 2020, the Department of Housing Services will be closed:

• Monday January 20 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Monday February 17 Presidents Day
• Monday May 25 Memorial Day
• Friday July 3 Independence Day (observed)
• Monday September 7 Labor Day
• Wednesday November 11 Veteran's Day
• Thursday November 26 Thanksgiving Day
• Friday December 25 Christmas Day
• Friday January 1 New Year's Day

Please plan your visits to our office accordingly. Thank you!

Housing Services has a Drop Box!

If you have visited the Department of Housing Services recently, you may have noticed this shiny new friend in front of our building.

The drop box was installed to give our program participants and applicants the ability to drop paperwork and payments off any time - whether our office is open or not!

Next time you have paperwork to drop off, you are welcome to save yourself a trip to the second floor and pop your paperwork into the drop-box. It will keep your papers safe and dry until they are retrieved by staff.

The box is incredibly secure, but we do ask that you refrain from leaving cash payments.

If you need a receipt or need to have a copy made from an original document, please do come to the front desk during normal business hours and we will be happy to help you.

Waiting List Status

Vouchers and Public Housing

Pre-applications for the Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing programs are no longer being accepted. Households who submitted applications can check their status at portal.wchousingauthority.org. More information is available here.

Project-Based Vouchers

Applications for Project-Based Vouchers are currently being accepted. To apply, download the application. Please be aware that applicants who have already applied for the Housing Choice Voucher or Public Housing may also apply for Project-Based Vouchers. A list of the Project-Based Voucher sites is available here.

Current Applicants

If you are a current applicant and need to update your information, please access your account at portal.wchousingauthority.org or complete an Update Application.

For more information...

Visit our Applicants and Waiting Lists page.

Electronic Payment Options for Landlords and Program Participants

Tired of dealing with Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) checks or Utility Reimbursement Payment (URP) checks? We offer two options for electronic payment - Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and ReliaCard.

Electronic Funds Transfer

EFT payments are electronically transferred directly to the bank account of your choice. To request EFT payments, complete the EFT Application and e-mail it back to us.

ReliaCard

ReliaCard is a benefit card that functions like a debit card. It is loaded automatically each time you receive a payment. For more information, please read the ReliaCard Frequently Asked Questions or ReliaCard Flyer. To request ReliaCard payments, complete the ReliaCard application and email it back to us.

Questions?

If you have questions about either payment method, please send an email to our EFT Contact.