WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. — The deadline to apply for Washington County's public housing waitlist is on Tuesday, September 26. Last week, the Housing Authority of Washington County opened the waitlist for the first time in more than three years.
"We have 244 units in total, and they're spread throughout the county, as far as Forest Grove, Beaverton, Sherwood," said Hameed Evenson, Washington County public affairs officer.
There are nearly 300 available slots on the list each for two, three and four-bedroom units, and there is no set cost for each unit. Families contribute about 30% of their income towards their housing costs and the housing authority subsidizes the remaining amount, according to Washington County.
"There is an affordable housing crisis that's regional, that many families feel," Evenson said.
Currently, tenant rents average $421 per month and are based on income, the county said. That's less than one third of the cost of a two-bedroom apartment in Beaverton, according to Apartments.com.
“Time and time again we are reminded in our community about how difficult it is to find affordable housing. That is why I am excited the Housing Authority of Washington County can open its public housing waitlist again after more than three years," said Michael Buonocore, interim director for Washington County Department of Housing. "These public homes are a lifeline for our community’s families who struggle to find stable housing.”
Once the waitlist closes on Tuesday afternoon, the housing authority says it could be another two years before the list reopens.
"We're really trying to meet the need within the community by expanding affordable housing," said Will Seals, Washington County Housing Authority asset manager.
Who is eligible?
Low-income individuals and families are eligible for public housing. The Department of Housing Services determines eligibility based on all three items below:
- Annual gross income
- Whether you qualify as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family
- U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status
Families must meet the federal income criteria required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A household can't earn more than 80% of the median income in Washington County, which is currently $72,200 for a two-person household.
How to apply
Applications can only be submitted online, but people can make a request for special accommodations by sending an email. Anyone who applies will be required to provide names, relationship information, dates of birth, total monthly household income and social security numbers for all household members.
People who don't have access to internet or a computer are advised to visit Washington County libraries with computer stations.
Public housing waitlist selection
When the application window closes, the housing authority will use a random lottery to select 300 households for each bedroom size. However, the housing authority will prioritize extremely low-income families whose households don't exceed 30% of the median income. That income limit is $33,850 for a family of four in Washington County.