To register for Section 8 housing programs in Oregon, applicants must submit a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 8 application through a local Public Housing Authority (PHA). The Oregon HUD Section 8 application will require a wide variety of information. Oregon HUD Section 8 applications will be reviewed for contact information, financial histories as well as background and personal information for all family members. Residential status and proof of nationality will also be important. Housing petitioners may choose to apply for housing assistance by going online or visiting the regional PHA office. Because Oregon has 15 PHAs that operate 5,666 public housing rental units in 103 apartment buildings or communities, there are usually waiting lists to receive housing benefits.
Learn How to Apply for Section 8 Housing in Oregon
When starting to register for Section 8 housing programs in Oregon, applicants should begin by choosing the kind of housing desired. Oregon operates a Housing Choice Voucher Program, which allows a candidate to either register for public housing or select private housing that meets HUD rental standards. Then, a HUD Section 8 application should be secured online or at the nearest PHA office. If help is needed in completing the application, assistance is available at the nearest PHA office. Petitioners must bring all necessary documentation and information when completing forms at the PHA office. If completing the online application for low income housing in Oregon, applicants must instead attach scans of the required documents. The OR online application for low income housing will require the following information to be attached to the application:
- Birth certificates for all family members
- Social Security cards
- Pay stubs
- Tax returns
- All government paperwork (SNAP, TANF, disability or military)
- Past rental agreements (if applicable)
- Transcripts (if the applicant is a student)
The Section 8 program in Oregon allows those who are applying for the Housing Choice Voucher program to find their own housing that meets HUD guidelines. In both situations, the HUD Section 8 application will require information on the ages of household members (including minors who may be in foster care at the time), household income and notice of any household members with disabilities or veteran status.
Learn About Prioritized Applications for Section 8 Housing in Oregon
HUD Section 8 applications in OR are awarded with a priority to those already living in the local PHA area. Additionally, OR HUD Section 8 applications that are submitted by households with elderly members, members with disabilities or veteran members will receive a higher priority for housing benefits. Veterans in particular will be considered for the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. HUD-VASH was created separately from HUD Section 8 housing as a component of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs services. For that reason, a veteran submitting a HUD Section 8 application may be referred to Veterans Affairs services for more complete support. While each individual PHA has options on setting some policies for awarding applicants, basic HUD guidelines still apply. Before completing a HUD Section 8 application in OR, the applicant needs to speak with a PHA agent about any eligibility questions. The Oregon online application for low income housing or the HUD Section 8 application (paper form) can be completed after all eligibility questions have been answered.
Learn How to Check the Status of Section 8 Applications in Oregon
The Oregon HUD Section 8 application for the Housing Choice Voucher will have a waiting list in all PHA offices. Most PHAs have a waiting list of over 1,000 candidates for fewer than 300 housing units. Waiting lists for HUD Section 8 applications in Oregon may have a wait time of up to two years due to limited housing complexes. A Waitlist Application Form will need to be completed and submitted to the PHA office in the area the candidate wants to live in. This waitlist application will need to be updated every six months. When the applicant nears the top of the waiting list, he or she will be contacted and asked to complete further documentation.
At year’s end, some of the PHA offices purge their lists and wait list applications must be re-submitted. To check status for Section 8 application in OR, the petitioner can go online to view the list using the registration number distributed after submission. Alternatively, applicants can submit a written request to view the list.