Rent and housing help in Oregon

Housing help splits into three lanes: emergency help to stop an eviction or shutoff, ongoing help paying rent (vouchers and subsidized housing), and help for homeowners (property-tax deferral, repair programs).

If you're facing eviction, act the day you get a notice — Oregon has free eviction-defense lawyers and court-day rent assistance, but they work best before a judgment. For ongoing vouchers, expect waitlists and get on more than one.

Not sure which of these fit you? Answer a few questionsand we’ll rank all of them for your household.

16 programs

• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Home Forward)

  A rent subsidy paid to your landlord so you pay a reduced share of the rent.

  For: People who live in multnomah county — households at or below 50% of area median income; the waitlist opens by lottery · verified 2026-07-19

• 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.

  For: People who live in portland or multnomah county — renters in multnomah county who are behind on rent or facing eviction · verified 2026-07-19

• OHP Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) Housing Benefit

  If you're on the Oregon Health Plan with a qualifying health need, your care plan can pay up to 6 months of rent, utilities, or storage, plus changes to your home. Call 1-888-834-4304.

  For: People who already have the oregon health plan — ohp members with a serious or new health condition who are under about 30% of area median income · verified 2026-07-19

• 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.

  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 · verified 2026-07-05

• Chafee Housing Assistance

  Monthly housing help for up to 30 months to transition to living on your own (up to about $1,022/month in the first year).

  For: People 18 to 20 — former or current foster youth 18–20 with an approved transition plan · verified 2026-07-06

• Home Forward Property-Based (Public Housing) Waitlists

  Rent-assisted apartments Home Forward owns or operates, with building-by-building waitlists.

  For: Low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities; apply when a community's waitlist opens · verified 2026-07-06

• NAYA Homeownership & Foreclosure Prevention

  Free culturally specific homeownership coaching to plan to buy a home, plus help for missed mortgage payments and foreclosure.

  For: People who live in portland or multnomah county — portland-area urban native / american indian & alaska native community members · verified 2026-07-06

• NW Pilot Project

  Rent and deposit assistance plus housing placement and retention help for adults 55 and older. Call 503-227-5605.

  For: People 55 or older · verified 2026-07-05

• 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.

  For: Renters with an active eviction court case (very limited slots each month) · verified 2026-07-05

• Portland Housing Bureau Home Repair Loan

  A 0% loan with no monthly payments for home repairs like plumbing or a roof — forgiven after 15 years if you stay in your home. For homeowners in the Interstate Corridor area of North/NE Portland.

  For: People who own their home, and people who live in portland — lower-income portland homeowners who need home repairs · verified 2026-07-05

• Rebuilding Together Pacific Northwest

  No-cost critical home repairs by volunteers — roofs, heating, and safety fixes like grab bars, ramps, and handrails.

  For: People who own their home — lower-income portland-metro homeowners who can't afford or do critical repairs — priority to seniors 62+, veterans, families, and people with disabilities · verified 2026-07-06

• Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance (RLRA)

  A flexible, long-term rent subsidy plus move-in help and case management.

  For: Very low-income households facing housing instability in the portland metro; enroll through a service provider · verified 2026-07-06

• 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.

  For: Renters with a barrier to housing (income at or below 60% of area median for the landlord guarantee) · verified 2026-07-06

• Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

  Temporary help with rent arrears, deposits, moving costs, and utilities, plus case management to get or keep housing.

  For: Veterans — low-income veteran families who are homeless or at risk (income at or below 80% of area median) · verified 2026-07-06

• Manufactured Home Replacement Program (OHCS)

  Grants plus a 0% forgivable loan (up to $100k single-wide / $175k double-wide) to replace an old, inefficient manufactured home, plus a disposal grant for the old one.

  For: Owners of an old manufactured home (generally pre-1995) on eligible land, income at or below 100% of oregon median income · verified 2026-07-06

• USDA Section 504 Home Repair Loans & Grants

  Very low-interest (1%) loans up to $40,000 to repair a home, and grants up to $10,000 for owners 62+ to fix health and safety hazards.

  For: People who own their home — very low-income homeowners in rural oregon (grants require age 62+) · verified 2026-07-06