SALEM, Ore. — Homeowners who have struggled to make mortgage payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic may still be eligible for assistance, but June 15 is the last chance to apply. 

Because program funds are running low, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) will close the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) program to new applications at 8 a.m. on June 15. Applications are processed in the order they are completed, meaning OHCS has received all required information from both the homeowner and servicer. Applicants are not guaranteed to be funded even if they are eligible.  

“We’ve received a tremendous response since we reopened the program earlier this year,” said Talia Kahn-Kravis, acting director of Homeownership at OHCS. “We encourage anyone who hasn’t applied to do so as soon as possible before funds run out.” 

In February, OHCS reopened HAF to support eligible homeowners who have experienced severe financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To be eligible for assistance, homeowners must have a primary mortgage with a participating mortgage servicing company that is 90 days or more past due.  

Eligible homeowners can qualify for up to $50,000 in grant funds, regardless of whether they’ve previously received HAF payments. Payments will be made directly to their servicer to reinstate their mortgage. 

Homeowners can learn more about eligibility criteria and application requirements at oregonhomeownerassistance.org.

SALEM, Ore. — The deadline for Intermediate Housing Assistance (IHA) for survivors of the 2020 Labor Day wildfires and straight-line winds is coming soon. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) administers IHA, which provides temporary rent and utility assistance for renters who lived in the disaster-affected counties of Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, or Marion at the time of the wildfires and have a verified loss.

Survivors have until June 30 to apply for the program, which has expanded eligibility, including higher incomes, so more households can get help. Assistance may last for up to 24 months or until the program’s funding is fully spent.

OHCS encourages any interested folks to reach out to a local community action agency to find out more and get started on an application.

“IHA provides a vital need for renters who are also wildfire survivors to help keep them stably housed as they figure out their permanent housing solution,” said Shannon Marheine, director of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at OHCS. “We encourage anyone who is eligible and hasn’t yet applied to do so as soon as possible. If you know someone might benefit from this program, please spread the word.”

IHA is part of a suite of wildfire recovery programs called ReOregon intended for survivors of the 2020 Labor Day Disasters and is funded by a $422 million Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery to support long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts.

So far, OHCS and its partners have successfully served 401 households with the IHA program.

To learn more about IHA and other ReOregon programs, visit OHCS’ website.

About Oregon Housing and Community Services 

OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs. 

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) announced that all state-funded housing recovery developments serving communities affected by the 2020 Labor Day wildfires and straight-line winds are now complete, marking a major milestone for hundreds of Oregon families during National Wildfire Awareness Month.

“The 2020 Labor Day fires were a devastating time for many Oregonians, and I was proud to champion state-funded housing support in 2021 when I was Speaker to make sure we could start on recovery while we waited for federal assistance,” Gov. Tina Kotek said. “This is an important milestone, achieved because of the hard work of so many to help people who lost their homes because of the wildfires. Thank you.”

In August 2021, the Oregon State Legislature passed $150 million in funding for OHCS to provide critical housing recovery needs in the disasters’ eight most-impacted counties: Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion. The funding was split into two different pots to address housing needs post-disaster:

Joshua Henley is a wildfire survivor who now has a home in one of those developments, at Lazy Days Mobile Home and RV Park in Blue River. He lost everything in the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire and never thought he’d be able to return home. Now, he is stably housed and is grateful for the opportunity for a second chance.

“There have been a lot of tears of gratitude. I’m so thankful,” Henley said. “There’s a certain comfort that comes when you get a level of permanence in your living situation. When you know your physical needs are taken care of, things start getting better.”

To accomplish this important work, OHCS partnered with many local organizations such as Homes for Good on Lazy Days. In Jackson County, CASA of Oregon and Coalición Fortaleza helped survivors find and apply for disaster recovery housing for places like Talent Mobile Estates (now named Talent Community Cooperative), which was destroyed in the 2020 Almeda Fire. It now has 87 homes that are fully occupied and has been transformed into a cooperatively owned manufactured home park.

“Joshua’s story and the journey of Talent Mobile Estates are grounded in the strength of community. Local organizations, local leaders and neighbors have been — and remain — beacons of hope, coming together in extraordinary ways,” said Shannon Marheine, director of the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Division at OHCS. “Each step of the way, locally driven and state-supported programs serve as a cornerstone, proving that the richest approach to recovery is based in local community.”

To learn more about the state-funded housing developments, visit OHCS’ 2020 Labor Day Disaster rehousing and recovery progress webpage. To learn more about Henley’s story, visit the Wildfire Recovery Spotlights webpage.

About Oregon Housing and Community Services 

OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs. 

SALEM, Ore. — Ahead of Memorial Day, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is recognizing the veterans who call the recently opened Valor Place home and highlighting the impact that stable, affordable housing can have for those who have served their country. 

“Investing in housing developments like Valor Place is about creating environments where veterans can feel safe, regain stability, and build community,” said OHCS Director of Affordable Rental Housing Natasha Detweiler-Daby.

Located in Albany, Valor Place provides 30 affordable homes, mostly to veterans who have experienced housing instability or barriers related to disability, aging, or fixed incomes. The development was created through a partnership between OHCS and several other organizations including Linn Benton Housing Authority, Housing Development Center, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

For resident Gene Manley, an Air Force veteran who served from 1962 to 1970 in electronic security operations during the Vietnam era, Valor Place provided stability after several years living in a travel trailer on a family member’s property. 
 
“When you come out of a temporary housing situation, this gives you a feeling of home,” said Manley. “It’s personal, comfortable, and permanent. It lets you make decisions about your future again.” 
 
Manley described the development as a flexible and supportive environment that respects the wide range of experiences veterans carry with them. 

“Some veterans want to be social and make connections, and others need privacy and quiet,” he said. “This place allows for both. It’s welcoming, comfortable, and non-threatening.” 

Now settled into his new home, Manley hopes to volunteer with youth basketball programs in the Albany area to reconnect with a lifelong passion for coaching and mentoring young people. 

OHCS continues to support housing initiatives across the state that expand affordable housing opportunities for veterans, families, older adults, and other Oregonians facing housing challenges. Learn more about housing resources for veterans at https://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/housing-assistance/Pages/housing-for-veterans.aspx. 

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) 

OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.