Section 8 in Oregon: What You Need to Know

Section 8 housing in Oregon is administered by local public housing authorities (PHAs), not by a single statewide office. Each county or region runs its own waiting list, sets its own preferences, and processes applications on its own timeline. The largest programs are in Multnomah County (Portland area), Marion County (Salem area), and Lane County (Eugene area), but smaller counties run their own programs too. You explore directly to the PHA that covers your address or where you want to live, not to the state.

Oregon's Section 8 programs work the same way as programs elsewhere: the government pays a portion of your rent directly to your landlord, and you pay the rest. But waiting lists are long in most Oregon counties, and many are closed to new applications. Before you do anything else, you need to find out whether the PHA covering your area is accepting applications right now.

Key Takeaways

  • Oregon has no single Section 8 program — each county's public housing authority runs its own, with separate waiting lists and different rules.
  • Most Oregon PHAs have closed waiting lists, meaning you cannot add your name until they reopen, which can take months or years.
  • To find your local PHA and learn whether it is accepting applications, search for "[your county] public housing authority" or call 211 Oregon.
  • You must meet federal income limits, which vary by household size and county, and provide proof of income, identity, and residency.
  • Once you are on a waiting list, you may wait months or years before being called; some Oregon counties have waiting lists of 5,000 or more households.

Finding Your Local Public Housing Authority

Oregon is divided into regions, each served by one or more PHAs. The largest are the Housing Authority of Portland (Multnomah County), the Salem Housing Authority (Marion County), and the Lane County Housing Authority. Smaller counties like Deschutes, Clackamas, and Washington have their own authorities. You explore to the PHA that covers the county where you live or want to live.

To find your PHA's contact information and current process status, search online for "[your county name] public housing authority" or call 211 Oregon, which is a free referral service that can tell you the phone number, website, and whether the waiting list is open. Many PHAs post their status on their websites, including whether they are accepting new applications and how long the current waiting list is.

Do not assume a waiting list is closed permanently. Oregon PHAs reopen applications periodically, sometimes after a few months, sometimes after years. If the list is closed now, ask the PHA when they expect to reopen and whether you can request notification when they do.

Income Limits and Household Composition Rules

Section 8 in Oregon follows federal income limits, which change each year and vary by household size and county. For example, in Multnomah County in 2024, the income limit for a single person was roughly $38,000 per year, and for a family of four roughly $61,000 per year. These numbers are different in Marion County, Lane County, and smaller counties. Your PHA will tell you the exact limit for your household size and county when you contact them.

Your household includes you, your spouse (if any), and any dependents under 18 who live with you. Adult children, roommates, and live-in partners who are not legally married to you do not count as household members for income purposes. If you are unsure whether someone in your home counts, ask your PHA — the answer affects your income limit and your rent calculation.

If your income is above the limit for your household size, you do not meet the basic requirement and cannot be added to the waiting list. If your income is at or below the limit, you can proceed with the process process.

Documents You Will Need to Provide

Oregon PHAs require the same core documents as PHAs nationwide. You will need proof of identity (a driver's license, passport, or state ID), proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency), and proof of income. Income proof typically includes recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, tax returns, or a benefits statement if you receive Social Security, unemployment, or other information.

If you are unemployed, bring documentation of your job search or a letter explaining your situation. If you receive benefits, bring the award letter or a recent statement. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns and business records. Your PHA will tell you exactly what documents they accept when you call or visit.

You will also need to provide information about any criminal history, prior evictions, or prior Section 8 terminations. Oregon PHAs use these to assess whether you can maintain a lease and pay rent on time. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions (especially drug-related felonies) may. Ask your PHA what their policy is if you have concerns.

Waiting Lists and How Long They Take

Once you are added to a waiting list, you wait your turn. In Oregon's largest counties, waiting lists are very long. Multnomah County's waiting list has thousands of households, and wait times can be five years or longer. Marion County and Lane County also have substantial lists. Smaller counties may have shorter waits, but many are also closed.

While you wait, your name stays on the list as long as you respond to any notices the PHA sends you. If you move, change your phone number, or change your income, tell your PHA when ready. If you do not respond to a notice, you may be removed from the list without warning.

When your name comes up, the PHA will contact you and ask you to confirm you still want the voucher. At that point, you have a limited time (usually 30 to 60 days, depending on the PHA) to find a landlord who accepts Section 8 and sign a lease. If you cannot find a place in time, you may lose your spot.

How Rent and Your Payment Work in Oregon

Once you receive a Section 8 voucher, you find your own apartment or house. The landlord must accept Section 8, and the unit must pass a housing quality inspection. The PHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent (called the "housing information payment"), and you pay the rest out of your own income.

How much you pay depends on your income. Oregon PHAs typically require you to pay 30 percent of your adjusted gross income toward rent. If your income is very low, you may pay as little as $50 to $100 per month. If your income is higher, you may pay several hundred dollars. The PHA pays the difference between what you pay and the actual rent, up to a limit called the "payment standard" for your area.

If the rent is higher than the payment standard, you have to pay the difference yourself. Payment standards vary by county and bedroom size. Your PHA can tell you the payment standard for your area so you know what rent you can afford.

Reasons You Might Be Denied or Removed

Oregon PHAs can deny your process or remove you from the waiting list if you have a history of violence, drug-related felonies, or sex offenses. They can also deny you if you owe money to a previous PHA, have been evicted for non-payment, or have damaged a previous Section 8 unit. However, PHAs must consider the nature, severity, and how long ago the incident occurred — a single eviction from 10 years ago is treated differently than a recent one.

Once you have a voucher, you can lose it if you do not pay your share of the rent, damage the unit, violate the lease, or allow someone not on the lease to live with you. You can also lose it if your income rises above the limit for your household size, though Oregon PHAs typically allow you to stay on the program with a higher rent contribution.

If you are denied or removed, your PHA must tell you why in writing and give you a chance to request a hearing to dispute the decision. Take this seriously — a hearing is your chance to present your side of the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on multiple waiting lists in Oregon?

Yes. You can explore to the PHA in your home county and also to PHAs in other counties where you might want to live. Each PHA maintains its own waiting list, so being on one does not affect your position on another. However, once you receive a voucher from one PHA, you typically cannot hold a voucher from another at the same time.

What if my PHA's waiting list is closed?

Call the PHA every few months to ask when they expect to reopen. Some PHAs reopen annually; others reopen when funding becomes available. Ask whether you can request a notification when applications reopen. In the meantime, explore other housing programs in Oregon, such as emergency rental information or affordable housing programs run by nonprofits.

Do I have to stay in Oregon if I get a Section 8 voucher?

No. Once you have a voucher, you can move to another state and use it there, as long as you find a PHA in your new state willing to accept a transfer. This is called "portability." Your current PHA can tell you how the process works and what paperwork you need.

What happens if my income increases while I have a voucher?

Your rent contribution will increase, but you do not lose your voucher. Oregon PHAs allow you to stay on the program even if your income rises above the original limit. However, if your income stays above the limit for a certain period (usually two years), the PHA may terminate your voucher. Ask your PHA about their income recertification policy.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher to buy a house?

No. Section 8 vouchers are for rental housing only. However, Oregon has other homeownership programs through nonprofits and the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department that may help you buy a home if you meet their requirements.