Housing Authority of Washington County

Hillsboro, Oregon

Last Updated

19 hours ago

About Housing Authority of Washington County

The Housing Authority of Washington County (HAWC), PHA Code OR022, serves Hillsboro and the broader Washington County, Oregon area. HAWC manages approximately 3,634 assisted housing units, comprising 3,380 units supported by tenant-based vouchers and 254 Public Housing units.

HAWC currently accepts applications for its Project-Based Voucher (PBV) and Public Housing programs. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Mainstream programs are closed to new applicants. The status of the RAD program is not specified as open or closed.

Eligibility for HAWC programs requires applicants to meet specific income limits. For example, a family of four must meet the Very Low Income limit, which is $62,050 per year for the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA MSA area. Prospective applicants should verify current program availability and detailed eligibility requirements.

Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Feb 11, 2026

How to Apply

Online

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now
Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

The Place-Based Waitlist, which includes Project-Based Vouchers, uses a zone-based system for Washington County and requires annual confirmation of interest through the RentCafe portal.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Feb 11, 2026

How to Apply

Online

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

The Place-Based Waitlist, which includes Public Housing units, uses a zone-based system across four regional locations in Washington County, and applicants must keep information updated and confirm interest annually.

Other Programs

3 programs

These 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.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Closed

The Housing Choice Voucher waitlist is currently closed; application opportunities are announced on their website and monthly e-newsletter as they become available.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Mainstream Voucher
Closed

Provides rental assistance specifically for non-elderly persons with disabilities to transition out of institutional settings or avoid institutionalization.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)
Pending

No active waitlist information currently available.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of Washington County portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

Go to Official Site

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 161 NW Adams Ave
City Hillsboro, OR 97124
PHA Code OR022
Section 8 Units 3,380
Public Housing Units 254

Important Notices

  • Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.

  • 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 Washington County

1

Check Current Status

Housing Authority of Washington County currently has 2 open waiting lists (PBV, Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority of Washington County, 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.

3

Submit Your Application

Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of Washington County portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf. If applying online, take a screenshot of your confirmation page for your records.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of Washington County, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of Washington County manages approximately 3,634 assisted housing units (3,380 Section 8, 254 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Hillsboro. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Housing Authority of Washington County

PBV Project-Based Voucher open

Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of Washington County are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Hillsboro. 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.

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at Housing Authority of Washington County are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority of Washington County manages approximately 254 Public Housing units in Hillsboro. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of Washington County 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 Hillsboro. This program serves approximately 3,380 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 Washington County 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.

RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed

The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Housing Authority of Washington County converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Hillsboro maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Housing Authority of Washington County free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Housing Authority of Washington County administers 5 programs (PBV, Public Housing, HCV, Mainstream, RAD) — none of which charge an application fee. If any website or person asks you to pay money to apply, it is a scam. Always apply directly through the housing authority's official portal or in person at their office at 161 NW Adams Ave, Hillsboro, OR.
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of Washington County?
Wait times at Housing Authority of Washington County depend on demand in Hillsboro, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 3,634 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Housing Authority of Washington County directly for current estimated wait times.
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of housing authority waiting lists you can join simultaneously. There are 8 other housing authorities within 100 miles of Housing Authority of Washington County, including Housing Authority of Portland (15 mi), Housing Authority of the City of Vancouver (17 mi), Housing Authority of Clackamas County (23 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Oregon and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Oregon.
How do I contact Housing Authority of Washington County?
You can reach Housing Authority of Washington County by phone at (503) 846-4794. Their office is located at 161 NW Adams Ave, Hillsboro, OR 97124. You can also email them at HousingServices@washingtoncountyor.gov. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of Washington County?
Income limits for Housing Authority of Washington County are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA MSA (currently $124,100). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $62,050. Most Section 8 and Public Housing programs require your household income to be at or below this level. See the full income limits table below.

Housing Authority of Washington County Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of Washington County 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
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $124,100 Effective April 1, 2025
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.