PORTLAND, Ore. — Residents of Portland struggling with the health and financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for $500 in cash assistance on Dec. 10.
In September, the Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) partnered with United Way of the Columbia-Willamette to launch the Household Assistance Program. In late October, more than 2,800 prepaid debit cards were distributed to people in need.
There was overwhelming demand for more assistance, so Portland is allocating more funding to make another 4,000 cards available through a second application round.
"The urgent need for PHB’s Household Assistance Program is reflected in the community’s response to the first round of funding availability," said Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler. "The program is helping ease the daily struggle of those who are most deeply impacted by the pandemic’s severe economic impact."
All applications must be submitted online at pdxassist.com. The application window is Thursday, Dec. 10 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. All applications submitted during that time will be accepted, after which applicants will be selected from the applicant pool at random using a lottery system.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible, applicants must be at least 18 years old and living in Portland, have experienced a loss of income or elevated health risk related to COVID-19 and have a household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income. (See chart below)
The program is part of a $38 million investment in housing relief measures by the city and the Portland Housing Bureau in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
