Jan. 26, 2022
Media Contact: Delia Hernández
503-986-2051
equests@hcs.oregon.gov">HCS.mediarequests@hcs.oregon.gov
State reopens portal for the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program for limited time
More than 36,000 Oregon households have received over $256 million in rental assistance relief due to hardship from pandemic
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) today began again accepting new applications for the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP). This will be a limited reopening of at least three weeks, based on availability of funds. The agency estimates there are enough funds to support 6,700-9,300 additional renters, who will be prioritized based on those who have the most need, not on a first-come, first-served basis. OHCS was forced to pause the intake of applications on December 1 because the agency did not have sufficient federal funds to serve additional renters.
“We are grateful that the Oregon Legislature and Gov. Brown came together to provide more resources for rental assistance and eviction prevention programs, which will keep thousands more Oregonians stably housed during this critical time,” said OHCS Executive Director Margaret Salazar. “During the pause in accepting new applications, several OERAP system improvements were also implemented that we hope will make the application process and payments more accessible to renters, community partners and landlords. We appreciate the time and energy partners spent in providing valuable feedback that helped bring along these improvements.”
To serve the most households, applications are being offered for first-time assistance only, and the program will not be offering utility assistance. Tenants seeking utility assistance may access additional Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) resources at the local level from community action agencies. Renters who submit new applications can access protections from eviction for nonpayment of rent while their application is being reviewed and processed. OHCS will begin processing these new applications and paying out funds in about three to five weeks. Applications for tenants who applied before the OERAP application pause on Dec. 1, 2021, will be processed before applications received on or after Jan. 26, 2022, as directed by the Oregon Legislature.
Important information for tenants
- Tenants can apply for OERAP at oregonrentalassistance.org or contact a local community action agency. Applying for OERAP is now easier because the application has been streamlined and simplified based on feedback.
- Tenants can use this simple checklist to gather their documents in advance.
- During testing, we have identified sections in non-English applications where the translation from English is not complete. We are working with the vendor to correct this issue. All applications are fully functional and can be submitted, but applicants may see phrases that are not fully translated. Paper applications in languages other than English are fully translated and can be found here.
- Applications received on or after Jan. 26, 2022, will be paid after prioritization criteria has been applied based on remaining funding available and are not guaranteed.
- This will be a limited reopening of at least three weeks, based on availability of funds.
- Tenants who submit new applications can access protections from eviction for nonpayment of rent while their application is being reviewed and processed. Tenants must show proof to their landlord that they applied for the program to receive the protections.
- OHCS will begin processing and paying out new applications in about three to five weeks.
- Tenants at immediate risk of eviction should apply for rental assistance right away to access safe harbor protections and also contact a legal organization.
- Oregon Law Center’s Eviction Defense Project: 888-585-9638 or evictiondefense@oregonlawcenter.org
- Oregon State Bar: 503-684-3763 or legalhelp@oregonstatebar.org
Progress and updated numbers
OHCS announced that as of Jan. 25, 2022, OHCS and local program administrators (LPAs) have paid $256.3 in federal emergency rental assistance (ERA) to 36,632 households, up from $243.6 million and 34,900 applicants last week, through the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP). OHCS has spent out 88% of all federal ERA dollars available for rental assistance.
OHCS and its processing partner, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), have made significant strides in the past several weeks to speed up application processing. Currently, 265 PPL staff are focusing on processing applications. In the past week alone, PPL paid 1,891 applications. This is in addition to the applications processed by LPAs working across the state to finish paying out ERA 1 funds.
To date, OHCS and LPAs:
- Paid $256,339,282 to landlords and tenants to help 36,632 Oregon households, which is 88% of ERA 1 and 2 funds. Supported an estimated 94,676 people in households served.
- Are currently reviewing 5,543 applications for payment.
- Need applicant or landlord response for 5,676 applications.
Visit the OERAP dashboard for more data.
*The spanish translation of this release is attached as well.
Jan. 20, 2022
Media Contact: Delia Hernández
503-986-2051
equests@hcs.oregon.gov">HCS.mediarequests@hcs.oregon.gov
Nearly 35,000 Oregon households have received more than $243 million in rental assistance relief due to hardship from pandemic
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced that as of Jan. 19, 2022, OHCS and local program administrators (LPAs) have paid $243.6 million in federal emergency rental assistance (ERA) to 34,900 households, up from $235.4 million and 33,770 applicants last week, through the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP).
OERAP continues to be one of the nation’s top-performing programs and is ranked sixth in the nation, in the percentage of federal ERA funds paid out and obligated, as tracked by the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Limited OERAP portal reopening on Jan. 26
OHCS will again begin accepting new applications for OERAP starting on Wed., Jan. 26, 2022. This will be a limited reopening based on availability of funds. The agency estimates to have sufficient funding to support between 6,700-9,300 renters. Households with the most need will have priority in accessing these resources, not a first-come, first-served basis.
The agency says it’s important for renters to know that applications received on or after Jan. 26, 2022, will be processed after applications received before Dec. 1, 2021, and to expect a delay prior to processing and payment. Importantly, because of the passage of Senate Bill 891 (SB 891), tenants who apply on Jan. 26, 2022, or after may receive safe harbor protections that prevent landlords from evicting tenants until their OERAP application is processed. SB 891, passed by the Oregon State Legislature this past December, also directed OHCS to prioritize processing applications received before Dec. 1, 2021.
Other rental assistance is available in many localities in Oregon through local programs that are operating independently from OERAP. Tenants applying for these programs can qualify for safe harbor eviction protections. People can contact 211 or Community Action Agencies in their area.
Progress and updated numbers
Through its three-point plan, OHCS and its processing partner, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), have made significant strides in the past several weeks to speed up application processing. Currently, 265 PPL staff are focusing on processing applications. In the past week alone, PPL paid 2,336 applications. This is in addition to the applications processed by LPAs working across the state to finish paying out ERA 1 funds.
To date, OHCS and LPAs:
- Paid $243,618,433 to landlords and tenants to help 34,900 Oregon households, 84% of ERA 1 and 2 funds.
- Currently reviewing for payment 8,313 applications.
- Need applicant or landlord response for 5,754 applications.
Visit the OERAP dashboard for more data. We have also attached the Spanish Translated Press Release.
Jan. 13, 2022
Media Contact: Delia Hernández
503-986-2051
equests@hcs.oregon.gov">HCS.mediarequests@hcs.oregon.gov
State to reopen the portal for the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program on January 26 for limited time
Nearly 34,000 Oregon households have received more than $235 million rental assistance relief due to hardship from pandemic
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) will begin accepting new applications again for the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP) starting on Wed., Jan. 26, 2022. The state paused accepting new applications in early December due to dwindling funding and the need to make system improvements. This will be a limited reopening for three to five weeks, depending on availability of funds. The agency estimates to have sufficient funding to pay between 6,700-9,300 additional applications. Households with the most need will have priority in accessing these resources, not a first-come, first-served basis.
As directed by the Oregon State Legislature in SB 891 (Second Special Session of 2021), OHCS is first processing applications received before the Dec. 1 pause. Applications received on Jan. 26 will be processed after applications received before Dec. 1. Tenants who apply on Jan. 26 or after may receive safe harbor protections that prevent landlords from evicting tenants until their application is processed. However, those tenants should expect a delay prior to processing and payment.
Other rental assistance is available in many localities in Oregon through local programs that are operating independently from OERAP. Tenants applying for these programs will likely qualify for the safe harbor eviction protections. People can contact 211 or Community Action Agencies in their area.
As of Jan. 12, OHCS and local program administrators (LPAs) have paid $235.4 million in federal emergency rental assistance to 33,770 households, up from $222.4 million and 31,816 applicants last week, through OERAP.
OERAP continues to be one of the nation’s top-performing programs and is ranked sixth in the nation, in the percentage of federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds paid out and obligated, as tracked by the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Information for renters who apply on or after Jan. 26 when the portal reopens
- Tenants who apply on Jan. 26 or after can receive safe harbor eviction protections that prevent landlords from evicting tenants until their application is processed. Tenants must show proof to their landlord that they applied for the program to receive the protections. Tenant applications will be paid based on remaining funding available and are not guaranteed.
- Applications still awaiting landlord/tenant response at the time of closure are subject to funds remaining when application is finalized and approved, and prioritization scoring is applied and are not guaranteed for payment.
- Tenants at immediate risk of eviction should apply for rental assistance right away to access safe harbor protections and should contact a legal organization.
- Oregon Law Center’s Eviction Defense Project: 888-585-9638 or evictiondefense@oregonlawcenter.org
- Oregon State Bar: 503-684-3763 or legalhelp@oregonstatebar.org
- Tenants should expect a delay prior to processing and payment but can count on accessing their safe harbor eviction protections immediately.
Progress and updated numbers
Through its three-point plan, OHCS and its processing partner, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), have made significant strides in the past several weeks to speed up application processing. Currently, 265 PPL staff are focusing on processing applications. In the past week alone, PPL paid 2,176 applications. This is in addition to the applications processed by LPAs working across the state to finish paying out ERA 1 funds.
To date, OHCS and LPAs:
- Paid $235,428,790 to landlords and tenants to help 33,770 Oregon households, close to 81% of ERA 1 and 2 funds.
- Currently reviewing for payment 7,905 applications.
- Need applicant or landlord response for 6,223 applications.
Visit the OERAP dashboard for more data.
7 de enero, 2022
Contacto: Delia Hernández
503-986-2051
equests@oregon.gov">HCS.mediarequests@oregon.gov
Casi 32,000 hogares de Oregón han recibido ayuda para el alquiler debido a las dificultades de la pandemia
El estado ha pagado más de $ 222 millones en asistencia federal para el alquiler de emergencia
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció que, a partir del 5 de enero, OHCS y los administradores de programas locales han pagado $ 222.4 millones a 31,816 hogares por medio del Programa de Asistencia de Alquiler de Emergencia de Oregón (OERAP). En comparación con $ 211.6 millones y 30,471 solicitantes la semana pasada.
OERAP sigue siendo uno de los programas de mejor rendimiento en el país y ocupa el sexto lugar en el porcentaje de fondos federales de Asistencia de alquiler de emergencia (ERA, por sus siglas en inglés) pagados y obligados, según lo monitoreado por la Coalición Nacional de Vivienda para Personas de Bajos Ingresos.
Asistencia de alquiler de emergencia para 2021
Al cierre de 2021, más de 31,264 familias en Oregón recibieron recursos federales del Programa de Asistencia de Alquiler de Emergencia por un total de más de $ 217 millones en pagos de ayuda. Sumando los $ 200 millones en fondos estatales asignados a fines de diciembre de 2020, el año pasado se distribuyeron más de $ 411 millones en asistencia para el alquiler a residentes de Oregón que la necesitaban. Los administradores de programas locales han pagado más de $ 10 millones por semana durante las últimas cinco semanas de 2021, rompiendo récords anteriores. A modo de comparación, OHCS tenía un total de $ 80 millones para entregar a los hogares en todo 2020.
El Departamento de Tesoro de los EE. UU. informó a OHCS a fines de la semana pasada que, debido al alto rendimiento y la necesidad demostrada, se asignarán $1.1 millones en asistencia de alquiler adicional a OHCS durante las próximas semanas.
Progreso y números actualizados
OHCS y su socio de procesamiento, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), han logrado avances significativos para acelerar el procesamiento de solicitudes. Actualmente, 265 empleados de PPL se concentran en procesar solicitudes. Solo en la última semana, PPL procesó 1,698 solicitudes, superando el objetivo de 1,000. Esto se suma a las solicitudes procesadas por los administradores de programas locales que trabajan para terminar de pagar los fondos de ERA 1.
Hasta la fecha, OHCS y administradores de programas locales:
- Pagaron $ 222,407,625 a arrendadores e inquilinos para ayudar a 31,816 hogares de Oregón, aproximadamente 76% de los fondos de ERA.
- Actualmente revisando y procesando para pago 5,693 solicitudes.
- Necesitan respuesta del solicitante o arrendador para 12,803 solicitudes.
Visite el tablero de datos de OERAP para más datos.
Jan. 7, 2022
Media Contact: Delia Hernández
503-986-2051
equests@hcs.oregon.gov">HCS.mediarequests@hcs.oregon.gov
Nearly 32,000 Oregon households have received rental assistance relief due to hardship from pandemic
State issues checks for more than $222 million in federal emergency rental assistance
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced that as of Jan. 5, OHCS and local program administrators (LPAs) have paid $222.4 million in federal emergency rental assistance to 31,816 households through the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP).
OERAP continues to be one of the nation’s top-performing programs and is ranked sixth in the nation in the percentage of federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds paid out and obligated, as tracked by the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Emergency rental assistance for 2021
At the close of 2021, 31,264 Oregon families received federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program resources totaling more than $217 million in relief payments. Combined with $200 million in state funds allocated in late December of 2020, more than $411 million in rental assistance was distributed to Oregonians in need last year. Local program administrators paid out more than $10 million a week during the last five weeks of 2021, shattering previous records. For comparison, OHCS delivered $80 million for households in all of 2020.
U.S. Department of the Treasury informed OHCS late last week that due to high performance and demonstrated ongoing need, $1.1 million in additional rental assistance will be allocated to OHCS over the coming weeks.
Progress and updated numbers
Through its three-point plan, OHCS and its processing partner, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), have made significant strides in the past several weeks to speed up application processing. Currently, 265 PPL staff are focusing on processing applications. In the past week alone, PPL processed 1,698 applications, far exceeding its target of 1,000. This is in addition to the applications processed by LPAs working across the state to finish paying out ERA 1 funds.
To date, OHCS and LPAs:
- Paid $222,407,625 to landlords and tenants to help 31,816 Oregon households, close to 76% of ERA 1 and 2 funds.
- Currently reviewing for payment 5,693 applications.
- Need applicant or landlord response for 12,803 applications.
Visit the OERAP dashboard for more data.
December 30, 2021
The next Housing Stability Council meeting will be on Friday, January 7, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The meeting will be held electronically due to the current COVID-19 health crisis. You can find all meeting materials on our website.
Webinar Meeting Only
Public register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_h2euoHmbRbC5w0odqHsrgw
AGENDA:
9:00: Meeting Called to Order - Roll Call
9:05: Public Comment
9:15: Report of the Chair
9:30: Report of the Director
- Statewide Housing Plan Report
- Legislative Update
10:15: Rulemaking Approval
Nicole Stingh, Assistant Director of Government Relations
- Rent Guarantee Program: Jaci Ladewig, Admin Rules and Legislative Coordinator
10:30: Homeownership Division
Emese Perfecto, Director, Homeownership
- HAF Foreclosure & Funding and Foreclosure Avoidance Counseling & NeighborWorks America Housing Stability Counseling Programs: Kim Freeman, Assistant Director Homeownership Programs and Ryan Vanden Brink, Assistant Director Homeowner Assistance Programs
11:00: 15-min break
11:15: Affordable Rental Housing Division
Natasha Detweiler, Director, Affordable Rental Housing
MF Housing Transaction Recommendations: Tai Dunson-Strane, Production Manager
- Blackbird and Main Apartments in Beaverton
- The Canopy Apartments at Powell in Portland
- Fremont Manor Apartments in Portland
- Garden Grove in Grants Pass
- Kentonwood Dimensions in Portland
- Maple Apartments in Oregon City
- Stillwater Crossing in Bend
- QAP finalization/Recommendation: Angela Parada, Senior Tax Credit Program Analyst and Roberto Franco, Assistant Director of Development Resources and Production
- MWESB Status Update: Rick Abrego, former Senior MWESB Program Analyst and Roberto Franco, Assistant Director of Development Resources and Production
- Private Activity Bond Verbal Update: Tai Dunson-Strane, Production Manager and Natasha Detweiler-Daby, Interim Director of Affordable Rental Housing
- Rent Increase Policy: Rick Ruzicka, Interim Assistant Director of Planning and Policy and James Hackett, Assistant Director of Portfolio Administration
1:00: Meeting Adjourned
Dec. 29, 2021
Media Contact: Delia Hernández
503-986-2051
equests@hcs.oregon.gov">HCS.mediarequests@hcs.oregon.gov
More than 30,000 Oregon households have received rental assistance relief due to hardship from pandemic
State issues checks for more than $211 million in federal emergency rental assistance
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced that as of today, OHCS and local program administrators (LPAs) have paid $211.6 million in federal emergency rental assistance to 30,471 households, up from $200.4 million and 28,869 applicants last week, through the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP).
OERAP continues to be one of the nation’s top-performing programs and is ranked fifth in the nation in the percentage of federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds paid out and obligated, as tracked by the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Progress and updated numbers
Through its three-point plan, OHCS and its processing partner, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), have made significant strides in the past several weeks to speed up application processing. Currently, 265 PPL staff are focusing on processing applications. In the past week alone, PPL processed 1,675 applications, far exceeding its target of 1,000. This is in addition to the applications processed by LPAs working across the state to finish paying out ERA 1 funds.
To date, OHCS and LPAs have:
- Paid $211,658,147 to landlords and tenants to help 30,471 Oregon households.
- Received more than 51,733 completed applications to be reviewed for eligibility.
Visit the OERAP dashboard for more data.