Emergency Rent Assistance: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for emergency rent assistance?
Call 503-615-0770 on the 15th of each month starting at 9:00 a.m. We will ask a few questions to see if you qualify. Please note appointments fill quickly due to high demand for assistance. If the 15th falls on a weekend, call the next Monday instead. To qualify, you must meet all of these requirements:
You have not received emergency rent assistance from Community Action in the past 12 months.
You have received an eviction notice from your landlord for unpaid rent.
Your household income is at or below 50% of the Area Median Income.
I missed my appointment. What should I do?
You can reply to your appointment confirmation email to request a new time.
How much help will I receive?
The amount of assistance we can offer depends on your household income, how much rent you owe, where you live, and available funding. We will look at every possible resource to help you.
How is the payment made?
After you are approved, your file goes through a quality review and then to our Finance Department for processing. Payments are mailed directly to your landlord. Please allow 1–2 weeks after approval for your landlord to receive payment.
My landlord says they will evict me if they do not receive payment soon.
We understand this is a stressful situation. Please call our prevention line at 503-615-0770 on the 15th of the month starting at 9:00 a.m. to see if you qualify for help. If you need help right away, try one of these resources:
Call 211 for information about other services.
Visit OregonRentersRights.org to learn about your rights as a renter.
Visit OregonLawHelp.org for free legal information and advice.
How often can I apply for help?
You can apply again 12 months after the last time Community Action made a payment on your behalf.
What if I do not have a Social Security number?
With us, you do not need a Social Security number to apply for emergency rent assistance.
What if English is not my preferred language?
We offer interpretation services for your appointment. Staff members who speak your language may also be available. When you call to schedule, please let us know what language you need.