Searching for housing help is difficult and especially during these economic times. There are so many families needing help, that it is difficult to know where to begin. I hope to give you some information to hopefully make the search a little bit easier.

First off, you need to know about the 211 resource. You can call this number in Oregon and Washington and receive information and phone numbers for housing help in your area. If you look up the website you can search through the various housing options by county. Families dealing with domestic violence, substance abuse recovery, etc. may be able to find special housing programs to meet their specific needs.

If you are looking for rental assistance you need to know that this is quite a difficult search and there are limited resources. If you are dedicated to searching for rental assistance by calling the numbers provided on 211, contacting churches in your area or by talking with resource specialists, you are more likely to find the help that you are looking for.

In Oregon call:  211 or (503)222-5555

Or check out the website: www.211info.org

In Washington call: 211 or 1-877-211-9274

Or check out the website: www.win211.org

Housing Tips: Low-Income Housing:

1. In an emergency situation or if you are anticipating losing your housing soon: Call the 211 number in your area and ask for the shelter waiting list number. The shelters in certain geographic areas sometimes pool together and create one list. If you call your local 211 resource specialist, they should be able to help you get the shelter waiting list phone number.

Keep in mind that it usually takes up to 4-5 weeks (2-3 weeks is more common) for your name to come up on the shelter waiting list. So, if you anticipate that you may lose your housing situation soon, go ahead and get your name on the list. Even if the shelter calls you and you already have found another option, you don’t have to take the slot and the shelter can give your slot to the next family on the waiting list.Staying in a shelter is not ideal, but it is more often a better option than living in your car or on the streets. Also, most shelters have resource specialist and some even have special housing programs that you wouldn’t have been eligible for if you didn’t stay in the shelter to begin with.

2. Section 8: Section 8 is a special federal housing rental voucher program. Google: “your county name and Section 8” and learn about how it works in your area. If you are eligible for Section 8 housing and the waiting list is open, get on the waiting list. Unfortunately, most waiting lists are very, very long (several years long), however, it is worth just getting your name on the list as soon as possible. Once your name is called, you will receive a special voucher to apply to your rent, which is a tremendous financial help to your family. Once you are on the waiting list KEEP YOUR ADDRESS UPDATED WITH THE SECTION 8 AGENCY!! I have met so many families that have forgotten to update their information with Section 8 and when their name finally came up on the waiting list, the Section 8 staff was unable to locate them because they had move. Ultimately, the families lost their spot and had to start all over again.

3. State-funded housing developments and programs: The State have special programs going on throughout the state. Often, there are certain apartment complexes or townhomes that receive special state funding and this is not advertised, you need to know where to look.

Here is a list of apartments and their phone numbers by county in Oregon and Washington that receive special state funds. Contact the individual apartments for more information.

Oregon:

http://www.oregon.gov/OHCS/HD/pdfs/oregon_low_cost_affordable_housing_by_county.pdf

Washington:

http://aptfinder.org/

4. HUD: Check out www.hud.gov and learn about the various programs available to you. Also, you can speak with a housing counselor who might be able to answer your questions.

5. Other programs to ask your case manager or resource specialist about: Resources for certain housing projects are always changing and it is difficult for those that work in social service to even keep up on everything that is out there, so you may want to ask around to several different people and agencies. Often there will be special rental programs to specifically help homelessness families or adults that are diligently looking for employment and housing.

6. Some places have a Shared Housing program that connects people with others that might be a good option to share a housing situation and therefore lowering the cost for both parties. Check out the 211 resource.

7. Although you have to be careful, Craig’s list is also a place where many people find potential housemates. Check out: www.craigslist.com

8. Habitat for Humanity, check out their website and see if you qualify:

In Oregon: http://www.habitatoregon.org/

In Washington: http://www.habitatwa.org/