If you have experienced financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, and need help paying your rent and utility bills, the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program may be able help.

How to Qualify

Who is eligible?
To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:
1. Must be a resident of Oregon
2. Must not exceed the income limits
3. One or more household member must have qualified for unemployment or experienced a decrease in income or increase in expenses as a result of the COVID pandemic
4. One or more household members is at risk of homelessness or housing instability

How do I apply?
You must complete the pre-screening questions, complete the application, and provide the necessary documentation. Start the application process here.

FAQ

How will the program help me?
If you are approved, the program will pay your past due rent and utility bills dating back to March 13, 2020. Past due amounts prior to that date are not eligible for repayment. You can also receive up to three months of future rent until funds become unavailable.

What does the program pay for?
1. Rent
2. Manufactured housing rent
3. Manufactured home lot rent
4. Late fees
5. Eviction costs
6. Motel/hotel costs if that is your primary residence
7. Utilities, including electricity, gas, heat sources, water, sewer, bulk fuel

The program does NOT pay for:
1. Homeowner costs or homeowner utilities
2. Utilities and property taxes paid by landlord
3. Renter insurance
4. Phone
5. Internet service

If I get approved, do I have to pay the money back?
No. The funds you receive are not a loan. You don’t have to repay anything as long as the funds are used as approved and don’t duplicate other assistance programs.

If I get help from this program, will it affect other government benefits like food stamps and housing?
No. Your eligibility for federal assistance programs will not be affected by accepting help from this program. If your landlord won’t participate, and the program ends up sending the funds directly to you, it won’t count as income for tax purposes. If you receive benefits that aren’t federally funded, contact your benefit administrator.

Is there a limit on the amount of help you can receive?
No. There is no cap on the dollar amount you receive. There is however, a limit on how many months of assistance you can receive. The maximum is 12 months of assistance dating back to March 13, 2020 and the possibility of three additional months of future rent assistance.

Does the program cover late fees?
Yes. Reasonable late fees are covered and should be listed on the rent ledger your landlord submits.

What housing costs are covered?
Fees directly related to your housing stability and charged by your landlord are covered. They include: parking fees, garage fees, pet fees, storage and amenity fees. Relocation expenses such as security deposits and application and screening fees are eligible for payment. If your household has been temporarily displaced because of the pandemic, you can include hotel/motel costs.

Can you get help if you are homeless?
You may be able to receive three months of assistance if you enter into a lease agreement.

What is included as income for the purposes of the program?
You must submit the income of all household members 18 or older. This includes wages, tips, gig income, unemployment benefits, Social Security and Supplemental Social Security benefits, pensions, retirement, and self-employment income.

You can provide annual or monthly income. If you submit monthly income, it will be multiplied by 12 months to determine whether or not your total household income exceeds 80% of the area median.

Can I get assistance if I live with roommates?
Yes. Everyone living with you is considered a member of the household and must apply together and must provide income verification.

Can people who live in public housing, Section 8, or have Housing Choice Vouchers apply for the program?
Yes, as long as the costs for which you are requesting assistance have not already been paid by another program.

Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to apply?
No. Citizenship and immigration status are not parts of the required documentation.

What kinds of properties are eligible for assistance?
1. Single family homes
2. Apartments
3. Manufactured homes
4. Manufactured home lots (pads)
5. Hotel/motel rooms as long as they are primary residences
6. Other informal rent arrangements (subject to review)

I own my home. Can I apply for assistance with internet service and utilities?
No. Funds are only available to renters at this time.

Are short term hotel/motel stays eligible for assistance?
Households living in hotel/motels can verify they are renting rooms and need assistance. The program will not pay for shelters or other short term housing covered by emergency funds, like FEMA.