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Oregon Housing and Community Services

Homeless Services Programs

OHCS makes state and federal programs funds available to community action agencies (CAAs) and other providers throughout the state. CAAs develop community-based programs and coordinate the use of the funds to serve their communities. 

Find local help.

Programs

The Community Services Block Grant assists communities for the reduction of poverty, the revitalization of low-income communities and the empowerment of low-income families and individuals to become fully self-sufficient.

CSBG funds are provided by formula to local eligible entities that meet requirements in the Community Services Block Grant Act. Grantees provide services and activities addressing​ employment, education, self-sufficiency, housing, nutrition, healthcare, emergency services and youth or elderly-based initiatives. ​

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The Emergency Housing Assistance Program assists low or very-low income persons who are homeless or are unstably housed and at risk of becoming homeless.

EHA funds can pay for:
  • Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing costs
  • Case Management and Program Delivery costs
  • Financial Assistance
  • Shelter and Transitional Housing facilities rehabilitation, renovation or conversion
  • Emergency System and Strategy Strengthening
  • Lived Experience Engagement

The Elderly Rental Assistance Program assists very-low-income seniors who are unstably housed and at risk of becoming homeless.

ERA funds can pay for:
  • Financial Assistance
  • Case management and program delivery costs

Read the program f​actsheet.​​​

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The Emergency Solutions Grant Program assists low-income individuals and families quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness.

ESG funds can pay for:
  • Street outreach
  • Emergency shelter
  • Rapid re-housing
  • Homelessness prevention
  • Data collection via Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

The HOME Tenant Based Assistance Program assists very low-income families to stabilize their housing. 

HTBA funds can pay for: 
  • Refundable security deposits, 
  • Utility deposits, and 
  • Monthly rent and utilities.

The Housing Choice Landlord Guarantee Program provides financial assistance to landlords to mitigate damages caused by Housing Choice Voucher (also known as Section 8) tenants or tenants rehoused under a Rehousing Initiative, as a
result of their occupancy.

A landlord may apply for financial assistance to reimburse them for qualifying damages. Program assistance is limited to reimbursement of $500-$20,000. Program assistance may include expenses related to property damage, unpaid rent, or other damages satisfactorily described and documented in an application from the landlord to Oregon Housing and Community Services. 

The Housing Stabilization Program assists low-income families who are receiving a state Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grant and are homeless or are unstably housed and at risk of becoming homeless. 

HSP funds can pay for:
  • Housing-related costs
  • Case management and program delivery costs 

House Bill 2163​ invests $4.5 million to establish a long-term rental assistance program supporting individuals younger than 25 years old and are transitioning out of foster care, homelessness, behavioral health or treatment facility, or corrections or detention facility. The program will be introduced/piloted in three areas of the state, including one urban area, one rural area, and one coastal area.

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View webpage.​

This initiative quickly moves households from homelessness to permanent, stable, and safe housing. The program encourages grantees to customize the intervention for each household's specific needs. This allows households personalized financial and support resources, ensuring stability in new housing.

The Rent Guarantee Program provide financial assistance to landlords that rent or lease to low-income households by reimbursing up to $5,000 for unpaid rent and damages that exceeds a tenant's security deposit. 

Landlords who have had a tenant vacate or has been evicted due to non-compliance of a lease/rental agreement within the first 12 months of occupancy may submit a request for reimbursement up to the limit of the program.

The State Homeless Assistance Program helps meet the emergency needs of homeless Oregonians by providing operational support for emergency shelters and supportive services to shelter residents. 

SHAP funds can pay for:
  • Emergency shelter facilities operations and maintenance
  • Financial assistance
  • Case management and program delivery
  • Shelter facilities rehabilitation, renovation or conversion

The Youth Emergency Housing Assistance (YEHA) program provides funding to organizations dedicated to supporting K-12 students and their families who are unhoused or facing the risk of homelessness.​

​Learn more about the program on the YEHA page.​