More than 55,000 Oregon households facing pandemic hardship receive over $363 million in rental assistance relief
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is processing for payment applications submitted through the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP) which stopped accepting applications on March 21, 2022. As of today, the agency has paid out $363.36 million in emergency rental assistance to 55,656 households.
OHCS is ahead of schedule to meet the deadlines established by U.S. Treasury for federal funds and is on track to obligate by June 30, 2022, the $100 million allocated by the Oregon Legislature during the December 2021 Special Session. Only one other state has provided a higher percentage of assistance according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, ranking Oregon second in the nation in the percentage of emergency rental assistance funds paid out and obligated.
As application processing and payout of applications received after Dec. 1, 2021, continues, tenants are being asked to verify documents to ensure the basic eligibility criteria are met. Applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria are moved to the standard denial process before redirecting available funds to other eligible applicants. Program staff will contact eligible tenants who previously applied and have unpaid rent balances or need a few additional months of assistance to be made whole.
The OERAP portal remains closed to new applicants; however, local-level assistance is available for applicants who meet minimum eligibility criteria from Community Action Agencies. Tenants with questions about local-level resources and supports can call 2-1-1 to be connected with their regional Community Action Agency.
Landlords can be reimbursed for eligible non-payment costs such as rent and late fees incurred during the “safe harbor” period by applying to the Landlord Guarantee Program.
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