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You Got an Eviction Notice. Here's What to Do, Step by Step.
An eviction notice starts a clock, and the sooner you act, the more options you have. This guide walks through what to do the day you get a notice, what to line up before your court date, and what's available if you end up needing to move.
None of this replaces talking to a lawyer about your specific case, but the programs below can get you free legal help and money toward staying in your home or moving safely if you can't.
The day you get a notice
Call the Community Alliance of Tenants renters' rights hotline
It's a free hotline that walks you through your rights as a tenant and practical steps to protect them, no matter your income.
Community Alliance of Tenants Renters' Rights Hotline
Contact 211info for eviction prevention and rent assistance
If you've gotten an eviction notice, a written notice to vacate, or you're at high risk of losing your housing in the next 21 days, 211info is the front door to crisis support, landlord negotiation, and help applying for rent assistance in Multnomah County.
Multnomah County Eviction Prevention / Emergency Rent Assistance
Contact the Oregon Law Center's Eviction Defense Project before your first court date
They give free legal advice and can represent you in court if you're a low-income renter facing an eviction case, regardless of immigration status.
Oregon Law Center Eviction Defense Project
Ask the court to waive or delay filing fees if you can't afford them
If you need to file anything with the court and money is tight, you can ask for a fee waiver or deferral based on your income or the benefits you already get.
Multnomah County Circuit Court Fee Waiver / Fee Deferral
Before your court date
Apply for Oregon Eviction Prevention Rapid Response if you already have a court case
It can pay past-due rent, utilities, deposits, and up to a month of future rent, but it only accepts about 45 applications a month, opening at the start of each month — apply as soon as the window opens.
Oregon Eviction Prevention Rapid Response (OR-EPRR)
Ask about Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance if you need help beyond a one-time payment
It's a flexible, longer-term rent subsidy with move-in help and case management, for very low-income households facing housing instability — you enroll through a service provider.
Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance (RLRA)
If you're a veteran, contact Supportive Services for Veteran Families
It offers temporary help with rent arrears, deposits, moving costs, and utilities, plus case management, for low-income veteran families who are homeless or at risk.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
If you have to move
Check whether your landlord owes you Renter Relocation Assistance
If you're a Portland renter facing a no-cause eviction, a non-renewal, a rent increase of 10% or more, or a major lease change, your landlord must pay you cash — from $2,900 up to $4,500 depending on your home's size.
Portland Renter Relocation Assistance
Take the free Rent Well tenant education class
Graduates can offer landlords a fund covering up to $5,000 in unpaid rent or damages, which can help you get approved for a new place if you have a rental barrier.
Rent Well Tenant Education
Get on Home Forward's Section 8 waitlist notification list
The Housing Choice Voucher waitlist is currently closed and only opens occasionally by lottery — sign up to be notified when it reopens instead of waiting for a crisis to check.
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Home Forward)
Save the notice itself, any texts or emails from your landlord, and copies of your rent payments — you'll need them for legal aid, rent assistance applications, and court.
Not sure which of these fit your household? Answer a few questionsand we’ll rank everything for you.
Every program for this moment
A renters' rights hotline
Program: Community Alliance of Tenants Renters' Rights Hotline
A free hotline giving tenants clear information about their rights and practical steps to protect them.
Who qualifies: Anyone who needs it — no application
See the rule
“The Renters' Rights Hotline gives tenants detailed information about their rights and practical suggestions to help protect those rights.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-06 · Report incorrect information
Skip or delay court filing fees
Program: Multnomah County Circuit Court Fee Waiver / Fee Deferral
If you can't afford a court filing fee, you can ask the court to waive or delay it — for family, small claims, and landlord-tenant cases.
Who it’s for: People who can't afford court filing fees, based on income or benefits you already get
See the rule
“A request for waiver or deferral of a fee needs to be submitted for review by a Customer Service Clerk on the 2 nd floor of the Multnomah County Courthouse on the same day you are filing your documents.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-05 · Report incorrect information
Section 8 rent vouchers in Multnomah County
Program: Housing Choice Voucher Program (Home Forward)
A rent subsidy paid to your landlord so you pay a reduced share of the rent.
Who it’s for: People who live in Multnomah County — households at or below 50% of area median income; the waitlist opens by lottery
⚠ The waitlist opens only occasionally by lottery — check whether it is open before you rely on it.
Apply online (Rent Café (portal.homeforward.org))By phone
See the rule
“The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program helps people in our community afford rent by covering part of the cost.” Official site ↗
“The Housing Choice Voucher waitlist is closed” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-19 · Report incorrect information
Emergency rent help to stop eviction
Program: Multnomah County Eviction Prevention / Emergency Rent Assistance
Direct crisis support, landlord negotiation, and step-by-step help applying for emergency rent assistance if you've gotten an eviction notice, a written notice to vacate, or are at high risk of losing your housing. Contact 211info to be connected.
Who it’s for: People who live in Portland or Multnomah County — renters in Multnomah County who are behind on rent or facing eviction
By phoneApply online
See the rule
“If you have received an eviction notice, a written notice to vacate, or are at high risk of losing your housing within the next 21 days, immediate help is available.” Official site ↗
“For housing or rent assistance to prevent an eviction, Contact 211info.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-19 · Report incorrect information
Help paying past-due rent
Program: Oregon Eviction Prevention Rapid Response (OR-EPRR)
Pays past-due rent, utilities, deposits, and up to a month of future rent if you have an eviction court case. Applications open at the start of each month.
Who it’s for: Renters with an active eviction court case (very limited slots each month)
⚠ The EPRR rental assistance program accepts applications at the beginning of each month. We are able to accept approximately 45 applications each month based on the amount of funding available.
See the rule
“The EPRR rental assistance program accepts applications at the beginning of each month. We are able to accept approximately 45 applications each month based on the amount of funding available.” Official site ↗
“Repairs and damage remediation up to $2,500” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-05 · Report incorrect information
Free eviction-defense lawyers for renters
Program: Oregon Law Center Eviction Defense Project
Free legal advice and court representation for tenants facing an eviction case. Contact them before your first court date.
Who it’s for: Homes making under about $1,660 a month (for 1 person) — low-income renters facing an eviction court case, regardless of immigration status
By phoneApply online
See the rule
“The Eviction Defense Project provides free legal assistance to low-income tenants across the state facing eviction court cases.” Official site ↗
“OLC helps people with incomes up to 125% of the federal poverty level. In some situations, OLC can help people slightly above this level.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-19 · Report incorrect information
A renter class that unlocks a landlord damage guarantee
Program: Rent Well Tenant Education
A free tenant-education course; graduates can offer landlords a fund that covers up to $5,000 in unpaid rent or damages — helping people with rental barriers get approved.
Who it’s for: Renters with a barrier to housing (income at or below 60% of area median for the landlord guarantee)
See the rule
“Rent Well, a program of Transition Projects, is a 15-hour tenant education program that helps empower OR & WA residents with the knowledge and skills to navigate renting successfully.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-06 · Report incorrect information
Cash from your landlord if you're forced out
Program: Portland Renter Relocation Assistance
Your landlord must pay you cash if they evict you without cause, raise your rent 10% or more, or force you out — from $2,900 up to $4,500, based on your home's size.
Who it’s for: People who rent, and people who live in Portland — Portland renters facing a no-cause eviction, a non-renewal, a big rent increase, or a major lease change
By phone
See the rule
“Studio or Single Room Occupancy (SRO) $2,900 1-Bedroom $3,300 2-Bedroom $4,200 3-Bedroom or larger $4,500” Official site ↗
“No-cause eviction Notice of non-renewal of a fixed term lease (not becoming month-to-month) Qualified landlord reason for termination Rent increase of 10% or more over a 12-month period Substantial change of lease terms” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-05 · Report incorrect information
Long-term rent help funded by the Metro measure
Program: Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance (RLRA)
A flexible, long-term rent subsidy plus move-in help and case management.
Who it’s for: Very low-income households facing housing instability in the Portland metro; enroll through a service provider
See the rule
“The Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance (RLRA) program provides a rent subsidy to qualified low-income tenants” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-06 · Report incorrect information
Rent, deposit, and utility help for veterans
Program: Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
Temporary help with rent arrears, deposits, moving costs, and utilities, plus case management to get or keep housing.
Who it’s for: Veterans — low-income veteran families who are homeless or at risk (income at or below 80% of area median)
See the rule
“SSVF grants provide housing stability services to low-income Veteran families who are experiencing homelessness or are at imminent risk of experiencing homelessness” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Last verified 2026-07-06 · Report incorrect information
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