What Oregon housing authorities are and who runs them

Oregon has 27 local housing authorities, each run by a separate public agency that serves a specific county or city. They are not part of a single statewide system — each one operates independently with its own board, staff, and funding sources. The largest is the Housing Authority of the City of Portland (HACP), which manages thousands of units across Multnomah County. Smaller authorities like the Gilliam County Housing Authority serve rural areas with far fewer properties.

Housing authorities are public bodies created under Oregon law to own and manage affordable housing. They receive funding from federal programs (mainly HUD), state grants, and local revenue. They do not answer to a central Oregon office — you contact the authority that covers your area directly. Each authority sets its own policies within federal rules, which means wait times, income limits, and process processes vary significantly from one county to another.

Key Takeaways

  • Oregon has 27 separate housing authorities, each covering a specific geographic area, and you must contact the one that serves your location.
  • Housing authorities manage public housing units and administer Section 8 vouchers, but they do not run emergency rental information or other temporary aid programs.
  • Wait lists for both public housing and Section 8 vouchers are often closed or years long, depending on the authority and current demand in that area.
  • You can find your local authority's contact information and current wait list status through the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department website or by calling 211.
  • Income limits, rent amounts, and process requirements differ by authority, so you need to check directly with the one serving your county or city.

The two main programs Oregon housing authorities run

Public housing is the older program. The authority owns the building, you pay rent based on your income (usually 30 percent of what you earn), and the authority covers maintenance and utilities. Oregon authorities operate roughly 8,000 public housing units statewide. These units are scattered across the state — some in Portland, some in smaller cities like Salem, Eugene, and Bend, and some in rural counties. Public housing wait lists are typically closed or have multi-year waits because demand far exceeds supply.

Section 8 vouchers are the larger program by far. The authority gives you a voucher (a subsidy) that you take to a private landlord. You pay roughly 30 percent of your income as rent, and the voucher covers the rest up to a limit set by HUD. The landlord receives the subsidy payment directly from the authority. Section 8 wait lists are also usually closed in Oregon's urban areas, though some rural authorities may have shorter waits or occasional openings.

Both programs require you to meet income limits set by HUD and adjusted annually. In 2024, the limit for a single person in Portland is roughly $35,000 per year, but this varies by county and by family size. You must also pass a background check and meet other may be able to access rules. The authority serving your area can tell you the exact income limit that applies to you.

How to find your local housing authority

Your local authority is determined by where you live, not where you work. If you live in Multnomah County, you contact the Housing Authority of the City of Portland. If you live in Marion County, you contact the Housing Authority of Marion County. If you live in a smaller county like Wheeler or Gilliam, you contact that county's authority.

The fastest way to find the right authority is to call 211 (a free referral line available statewide) and tell them your county. They will give you the name, phone number, and website. You can also visit the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department website, which lists all 27 authorities with contact details. Some authorities have websites with process information; others require you to call or visit in person.

If you are unsure which county you live in, check your property tax bill, voter registration card, or driver's license. Once you know your county, you can search online for "[County Name] Housing Authority" to find the exact agency.

Wait lists: how they work and why they are often closed

Most Oregon housing authorities maintain wait lists for both public housing and Section 8 vouchers. When a wait list is open, you submit an process and receive a position on the list. When a unit or voucher becomes available, the authority contacts people on the list in order. The time from process to being contacted can be months or years, depending on the authority and the program.

Many authorities close their wait lists when demand is extremely high. A closed wait list means new applications are not being taken at all. Some authorities reopen their lists periodically — for example, once a year for a few weeks. Others keep lists closed for years. You can call your local authority or check their website to learn whether the wait list is currently open or closed and, if open, how long the typical wait is.

A few rural authorities in Oregon have shorter waits or more frequent openings because they serve smaller populations. If you live in a less populated county, your wait may be shorter than in Portland or Eugene. However, you can only use the authority that serves your county — you cannot explore to a different county's authority just because the wait is shorter.

Income limits and rent calculations

Both public housing and Section 8 vouchers have income limits. These are set by HUD and adjusted each year. To be considered, your household income must fall at or below the limit for your area and family size. HUD publishes income limits by county; your local authority can tell you the exact limit that applies to you.

Rent is calculated the same way in both programs: you pay approximately 30 percent of your gross monthly income, and the program covers the rest (up to a limit). If your income is very low, you may pay a minimum rent set by the authority, typically $25 to $50 per month. If your income increases, your rent increases. If your income decreases, your rent decreases. The authority reviews your income annually or when you report a change.

For Section 8 vouchers, there is also a payment standard — the maximum amount HUD will pay toward rent in your area. If the rent is higher than the payment standard, you pay the difference out of pocket. If the rent is lower, you pay 30 percent of your income and the voucher covers the rest.

Background checks and other may be able to access rules

All Oregon housing authorities require a background check as part of the process process. They look at criminal history, eviction history, and sometimes credit and rental payment history. The rules vary by authority, but generally, a recent felony conviction or eviction can disqualify you. Some authorities have more lenient policies than others, and some consider the circumstances and time elapsed since the incident.

You must also provide proof of income, proof of identity, and a Social Security number (or proof that you are ineligible for one). If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must have may be able to access immigration status. The authority will ask for documents like pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer. If you are unemployed, you may need to provide unemployment benefits documentation or a letter explaining your situation.

Some authorities also screen for drug use or require that you not have caused damage to previous housing. Rules differ, so ask your local authority what their specific requirements are when you contact them.

What housing authorities do not do

Housing authorities manage public housing and Section 8 vouchers only. They do not run emergency rental information, rapid rehousing, or other temporary aid programs. If you need help paying rent right now, you need to contact a different program — usually your county's emergency rental information fund or a local nonprofit. Call 211 or your county's social services office to find emergency help.

Housing authorities also do not help with homelessness services, mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, or job training. If you need those services, 211 can refer you to the right agency. Housing authorities focus narrowly on managing affordable housing stock and vouchers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on the wait list for more than one housing authority?

Yes. If you are willing to move to a different county, you can explore to multiple authorities. However, you can only live in one place at a time, so once you are offered housing or a voucher from one authority, you would typically need to withdraw from the others. Check with each authority about their specific rules on multiple applications.

What happens if I am offered housing but I am not ready to move?

Most authorities require you to accept the offer within a set time frame, usually 10 to 30 days. If you decline, you are removed from the wait list and must reapply if you want to be considered again. Some authorities allow you to decline once and stay on the list; others do not. Ask your local authority about their policy before you are offered a unit.

Do I have to pay process fees?

No. Oregon housing authorities cannot charge process fees. If an authority or someone claiming to represent an authority asks for money to explore, that is a scam. Contact the authority directly to report it.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher in a different county?

Usually not. A Section 8 voucher is tied to the authority that issued it and typically can only be used within that authority's jurisdiction. Some authorities have portability agreements with neighboring authorities, but this is rare in Oregon. Ask your local authority whether portability is available before you receive a voucher.

How often do housing authorities update their wait lists?

This varies by authority. Some update wait list status monthly on their website; others require you to call. Contact your local authority to learn how often they update and how you can check your position on the list.