Last Updated

19 hours ago

About Columbia Gorge Housing Authority

The Columbia Gorge Housing Authority (PHA Code: WA013) is located in The Dalles, Wasco County, Oregon. This authority manages approximately 359 assisted housing units, which include 359 Housing Choice Vouchers, providing essential housing assistance to eligible residents within its service area.

Currently, the Columbia Gorge Housing Authority is accepting applications for its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream Voucher, and Project-Based Voucher (PBV) programs. Both the Mainstream and PBV programs have recently opened. For a family of four applying under Very Low Income guidelines in the Wasco County, OR area, the current income limit is $45,650 per year. Applicants should verify current program availability and eligibility requirements directly with the housing authority.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

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

Additional Notes

The Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List is open year round. Eligibility is determined by total annual gross income and family size. Participants have 120 days to locate suitable housing.

View original notice — mid-columbiahousingauthority.org

Mainstream Voucher Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Phone

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Assists non-elderly (age 18-61) persons with disabilities who are homeless, at-risk of homelessness, exiting an institutional setting, or at serious risk of institutionalization. A referral from a social service agency is required to get on the waiting list.

Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Project-Based Vouchers are linked to specific units at specific sites. Mariposa Village in Hood River is currently offering units. Lupine Hills in The Dalles is coming soon.

View original notice — mid-columbiahousingauthority.org

Other Programs

2 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.

Other Affordable Housing
Pending

Information for other affordable housing properties varies by property; contact the Mid-Columbia Housing Authority for details.

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

No current waiting list information specifically for public housing programs was found. Columbia Gorge Housing Authority provides affordable housing through public housing programs.

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

Status History

PBV Opened 5 days ago
Mainstream Opened Feb 22, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Columbia Gorge Housing Authority 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 500 E 2nd St
City The Dalles, OR 97058
PHA Code WA013
Section 8 Units 359

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 Columbia Gorge Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Columbia Gorge Housing Authority currently has 3 open waiting lists (HCV, Mainstream, PBV). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Columbia Gorge Housing Authority, 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 $45,650/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 Columbia Gorge Housing Authority 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 Columbia Gorge Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Columbia Gorge Housing Authority manages approximately 359 assisted housing units (359 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in The Dalles. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Columbia Gorge Housing Authority

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Columbia Gorge Housing Authority 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 The Dalles. This program serves approximately 359 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Mainstream Mainstream Voucher open

Mainstream Vouchers at Columbia Gorge Housing Authority 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 open

Project-Based Vouchers at Columbia Gorge Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in The Dalles. 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.

Other Affordable Housing closed

The Other Affordable Housing program at Columbia Gorge Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in The Dalles. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Public Housing Public Housing closed

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Columbia Gorge Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Columbia Gorge Housing Authority administers 5 programs (HCV, Mainstream, PBV, Other Affordable Housing, Public Housing) — 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 500 E 2nd St, The Dalles, OR.
How long is the wait at Columbia Gorge Housing Authority?
Wait times at Columbia Gorge Housing Authority depend on demand in The Dalles, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 359 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on April 2, 2026 when the PBV list changed from "unknown" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Columbia Gorge Housing Authority 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 Columbia Gorge Housing Authority, including Mid-Columbia Housing Authority, Housing Authority of Clackamas County (70 mi), Housing Authority of the City of Vancouver (72 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 Columbia Gorge Housing Authority?
You can reach Columbia Gorge Housing Authority by phone at (541) 296-5462. Their office is located at 500 E 2nd St, The Dalles, OR 97058. You can also email them at karenl@mid-columbiahousingauthority.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Columbia Gorge Housing Authority?
Income limits for Columbia Gorge Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Wasco County, OR (currently $86,500). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $45,650. 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.

Columbia Gorge Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Columbia Gorge Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Wasco County, OR. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $45,650. 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 $19,200 $31,950 $51,100
2 Persons $21,950 $36,500 $58,400
3 Persons $26,650 $41,050 $65,700
4 Persons $32,150 $45,650 $73,000
5 Persons $37,650 $49,300 $78,850
6 Persons $43,150 $52,950 $84,700
7 Persons $48,650 $56,600 $90,550
8 Persons $54,150 $60,250 $96,400
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $86,500 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.