Fall and winter can mean traveling and gathering indoors with friends and family. These guidelines can help us keep each other safe from COVID-19.

Housing

Woman sitting on rug.

Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Important update

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) closed the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP) and stopped accepting new applications on March 21, 2022.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • If you’ve already completed and submitted your application, it’ll be processed as soon as possible. To find out more about a submitted application please check your status online or call 844-378-2931.

  • Tenants who submitted new applications to local emergency rental assistance programs can be protected 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.

To check the status of your application, or find out more information, visit www.OregonRentalAssistance.org.

If you missed the deadline, other rental and utility assistance programs may be available. Call 211 or visit 211info.org to find resources in your area.

Safe harbor eviction protection

All safe harbor protections expire on Sept. 30, 2022. To be protected, tenants must give proof that they applied to their landlord on or before June 30, 2022 (or on or before the date of a court appearance, whichever is sooner.) Documentation can be:

  • a copy or photo of the documentation by email or text message

  • email, a screenshot, or other written or electronic documentation verifying the submission of an application for emergency rental assistance

You have a right to these protections regardless of your citizenship status.

Help for Homeowners

The Oregon Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) helps homeowners who meet certain income requirements and have fallen behind on their mortgage payments and other housing costs due to the coronavirus pandemic. HAF is opening in phases and focuses on homeowners most at risk of foreclosure or displacement. OHCS is currently accepting applications from homeowners in Phases 1–3. Homeowners can review the HAF program overview and eligibility fact sheet (available in English and Spanish) to determine when they should apply.

Before requesting assistance through HAF, homeowners should contact their servicer and/or a nonprofit housing counselor about their immediate options as HAF funds are limited and intended as a last resort.

To help homeowners navigate the application process, OHCS has launched a website at oregonhomeownerassistance.org, which provides:

  • an overview of the program and its benefits
  • eligibility requirements and phases timeline
  • application resources
  • frequently asked questions
  • contact information
  • fraud prevention and reporting tools
  • legal aid and more