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Housing Authority of Portland
Portland, Oregon
Last Updated
1 hours ago
About Housing Authority of Portland
The Housing Authority of Portland, located in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, manages approximately 12,773 assisted housing units. This portfolio includes 12,474 Section 8 vouchers and 299 Public Housing units, providing housing assistance across the metropolitan area.
For potential applicants, the Housing Authority currently has waitlists open for specific programs: Affordable Rental Housing (N/NE Preference Policy), N/NE Preference Policy (Rental), Other, and Rental Housing - N/NE Preference. Other programs, such as HCV, Public Housing, and Property-Based Housing, are presently closed to new applications.
Eligibility for assistance is income-based. For example, a family of four must meet Very Low Income limits, which are currently set at $62,050 per year for the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA MSA area. Applicants should carefully review the specific criteria for each open program.
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Affordable Rental Housing (N/NE Preference Policy) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
This waitlist is open year-round and indefinitely, prioritizing housing applicants impacted by displacement in North and Northeast Portland due to urban renewal. Preference points (0-6) are granted based on the applicant's or an ancestor's current or former residency in identified zones. Applicants must meet income qualifications at or below 60% of the Area Median Income.
N/NE Preference Policy (Rental) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This waitlist supports current and former residents of North and Northeast Portland who were displaced or are at risk of displacement, with applicants with historical ties to the area considered first and sorted by preference points.
Other Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The Portland Housing Bureau is accepting Preference Policy rental applications for affordable housing in North and Northeast Portland, prioritizing current and former residents.
Rental Housing - N/NE Preference Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This program provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, elderly, and persons with disabilities in Portland, with a preference for N/NE residents.
other Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This waitlist for Affordable Rental Housing (N/NE Preference Policy) is open indefinitely and prioritizes applicants impacted by displacement in North and Northeast Portland, with preference points for residency or ancestral ties.
Other Programs
8 programsThese programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.
The HCV waitlist is closed and was last opened in April 2025. Home Forward has paused issuing vouchers and cannot select households from the HCV waitlist due to a HUD shortfall status. Applicants selected in April 2025 will be notified by the end of September 2025.
This program is for individuals with disabilities, aged 18-61, who live in specific institutional or segregated settings.
Home Forward has waitlists for many properties it owns or operates, referred to as Property-based waitlists. Last spring, 11 Property-based waitlists were opened. Notices are being sent to applicants. The waitlists are currently closed.
Placement on the waitlist for these 13 apartment communities is by random lottery. Eligibility requires meeting specific income guidelines and other program criteria for each property, with a preference for applicants with a terminal illness.
Property-based waitlists were last open in April 2025 for 13 apartment communities and are currently closed.
Waitlists are for specific Home Forward apartment communities with rent assistance tied to the property, requiring households to meet specific income and other eligibility.
Waitlists for specific public housing properties were last opened in 2022 or April 2025 and are currently closed. Preferences may include terminal illness or needing ADA accessible units.
The waitlist for the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program is currently closed.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of Portland portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING
Contact Information
Important Notices
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Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.
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Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.
How to Apply at Housing Authority of Portland
Check Current Status
Housing Authority of Portland currently has 5 open waiting lists (Affordable Rental Housing (N/NE Preference Policy), N/NE Preference Policy (Rental), Other, Rental Housing - N/NE Preference, other). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority of Portland, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $62,050/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of Portland portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of Portland, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of Portland manages approximately 12,773 assisted housing units (12,474 Section 8, 299 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Portland. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority of Portland
Affordable Rental Housing (N/NE Preference Policy) open
The Affordable Rental Housing (N/NE Preference Policy) program at Housing Authority of Portland provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Portland. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
N/NE Preference Policy (Rental) open
The N/NE Preference Policy (Rental) program at Housing Authority of Portland provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Portland. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other open
The Other program at Housing Authority of Portland provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Portland. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Rental Housing - N/NE Preference open
The Rental Housing - N/NE Preference program at Housing Authority of Portland provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Portland. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
other open
The other program at Housing Authority of Portland provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Portland. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of Portland provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Portland. This program serves approximately 12,474 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Housing Authority of Portland are specifically designated for non-elderly individuals with disabilities. These vouchers work like standard HCVs but are reserved for this population and often have separate, shorter waitlists.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of Portland are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Portland. Unlike the standard Housing Choice Voucher, PBV assistance stays with the property — not with you. However, after one year of occupancy, you may request a standard portable voucher. PBV waitlists often move faster because fewer applicants know about them.
Property-Based closed
The Property-Based program at Housing Authority of Portland provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Portland. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Property-Based Housing closed
The Property-Based Housing program at Housing Authority of Portland provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Portland. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Property-based closed
The Property-based program at Housing Authority of Portland provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Portland. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Public Housing Public Housing closed
Public Housing units at Housing Authority of Portland are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority of Portland manages approximately 299 Public Housing units in Portland. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Housing Authority of Portland converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Portland maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority of Portland free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of Portland?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority of Portland?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of Portland?
Housing Authority of Portland Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of Portland are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $62,050. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.
| Household Size | Extremely Low 30% AMI |
Very Low 50% AMI |
Low Income 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $26,100 | $43,450 | $69,550 |
| 2 Persons | $29,800 | $49,650 | $79,450 |
| 3 Persons | $33,550 | $55,850 | $89,400 |
| 4 Persons | $37,250 | $62,050 | $99,300 |
| 5 Persons | $40,250 | $67,050 | $107,250 |
| 6 Persons | $43,250 | $72,000 | $115,200 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $76,950 | $123,150 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $81,950 | $131,100 |
What do these income limits mean?
Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.
Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.
Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.
Nearby Housing Authorities
Applying to multiple housing authorities increases your chances of receiving assistance. These PHAs are closest to Housing Authority of Portland — including across state lines.