RECORD NUMBER OF CENTRAL OREGONIANS SEEK RENTAL ASSISTANCE

The housing crisis and severe slow-down in the economy is hitting Central Oregonians where they live. Housing Works reported today that they had received 1,018 applications from households seeking rental assistance on December 1st.

Keith Wooden, the director of the rental assistance program, reported that this number was more than double the number received in several years. He indicated that, over the past few years, the housing authority has received approximately 400 applications when the application list was opened.

Housing Works manages a federal contract to provide rental assistance to income-qualified households in the region. It annually assists up to 1,080 low-income families and individuals who earn 50% or less of the Area Median Income. The monthly rental assistance provided to each household is paid directly to landlords and makes up the difference between what the family can afford to pay and the fair market rent. This program distributes almost $6 million annually into the private rental market in the region with over 400 local landlords participating in the program.

The additional funds needed to increase the number of households receiving help through this program have not been available from the federal government. Wooden explained that the program has not been fully funded by the federal government for years.

Housing Works has to wait until people release their assistance before adding anyone new. Since the program is based on the calendar year, rental assistance vouchers will be available starting January 1st for the applicants selected through the December 1st lottery.

For more information on the rental assistance program, call Housing Works at 923-1018.

Media Contact:

Keith Wooden, Director of Joint Ventures/Housing Programs, 541-323-7412