Oregon Housing and Community Services will reopen the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program for new applications on Wednesday, January 26. This comes after the pause that went into place in early December to deal with limited funding and needed system improvements. This will be a limited reopening for three to five weeks, depending on availability of funds.

Priority will be given to households with the most need, not to the earliest applicants. Applications received before the December pause will be processed before new applications. Tenants who apply on or after January 26 may receive safe harbor protections that prevent eviction by showing proof of their application to their landlord. However, new applicants should expect a delay prior to processing and payment. Payments will be based on available funds and are not guaranteed.

Tenants applying for these programs will likely qualify for the safe harbor eviction protections. For more information on how to apply, contact 211 or visit OregonRentalAssistance.org.