Housing Authority of Portland
Portland, Oregon
Last Updated
2 hours ago
About Housing Authority of Portland
Housing Authority of Portland (HUD agency code OR002) is the public housing agency serving Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. It administers 299 public housing units and 12,474 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 15 waiting lists at this agency, covering Affordable, LIHTC, Other, PBV, HCV, Mainstream, Public Housing, RAD. As of Mar 17, 2026, 8 are open and 7 are closed.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA MSA. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $62,050 per year, and as Low Income at or below $99,300 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 14 status changes at this agency, most recently on Aug 14, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Affordable Housing Waitlist
N/NE Preference
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This waitlist is open year-round with no deadline and gives preference to applicants impacted by displacement due to urban renewal, eminent domain, and historic inequitable housing practices in North/Northeast Portland, based on current or past residency for the applicant and/or their ancestors/guardians. Eligibility is income-based.
N/NE Preference Policy
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This waitlist gives preference to applicants impacted by displacement due to urban renewal, eminent domain, and historic inequitable housing practices in North/Northeast Portland. Preference points are granted based on current or past residency for the applicant and/or their ancestors/guardians. Income limits typically range from 30% to 60% of the Area Median Income.
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Waitlist
Status
open
Additional Notes
This waitlist is for 2 and 3-bedroom apartments at Eastwood Court, Fir Acres, and Stark Manor. A terminal illness preference is offered, and eligibility requires meeting specific income guidelines and other program criteria for each property.
Other Programs Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
This general waitlist prioritizes applicants impacted by displacement in North and Northeast Portland.
N/NE Preference Policy (Rental)
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 historical ties to the area considered first.
Property-Based (N/NE Preference Policy)
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This waitlist prioritizes applicants displaced by urban renewal in North and Northeast Portland, granting preference points for current or former residency, and requires income at or below 60% of the Area Median Income.
Rental Housing - N/NE Preference
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.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Sep 9, 2026
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Applications are accepted for 5 property-based waitlists. The application process is a lottery, not first-come, first-served. Individuals are selected as units become vacant and must pass an eligibility screening.
Other Programs
5 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 Housing Choice Voucher waitlist is closed. It was last opened in April 2025. Applicants from that period will be notified by the end of September 2025. Updates will be provided on the Waitlists page.
Mainstream Vouchers provide rental assistance specifically for non-elderly persons with disabilities. The program helps individuals transition out of institutional settings or avoid institutionalization by subsidizing housing costs in the private market.
Home Forward's general property-based waitlists are currently closed. Priority is given to applicants with a terminal illness (less than 12 months life expectancy) or those requiring ADA accessible features.
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.
The Public Housing waiting list for specific properties like Dekum Court, Carlton Court, and Celilo Court closed on December 14, 2022, with no announced reopening date. Home Forward generally states that all of their waitlists for homes are closed and do not open often.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance, allowing housing authorities to leverage private funding for property rehabilitation while preserving long-term affordability for residents.
Status History
Deadline: Sep 21, 2024
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 8 open waiting lists (Affordable Housing, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), Other Programs, Project-Based Voucher (PBV)). 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 Affordable Housing open
The Affordable 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.
LIHTC Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) open
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) 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 Other Programs open
The Other Programs 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.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) open
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. The application window closes on September 21, 2026.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) 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.
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 (RAD) 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.