About Mid-Columbia Housing Authority

Mid-Columbia Housing Authority (PHA Code: OR026) is situated in The Dalles, Wasco County, Oregon. This authority oversees approximately 689 assisted housing units, primarily administering Section 8 housing choice vouchers for eligible households.

Applicants can currently apply for several programs, including Family Self-Sufficiency, Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream, Other, and Project-Based Voucher (PBV). It is important to note that the HCV program recently transitioned from closed to open, and the PBV program also moved from an unknown status to open for applications.

For eligibility, a family of four in the Wasco County, OR area must meet the Very Low Income limit, which is set at $45,650 annually.

Family Self-Sufficiency Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Contact PHA

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Available to households currently on the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program to help achieve financial independence, including an escrow savings account.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

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. Applicants are placed on a waiting list according to the date of their application.

View original notice — mid-columbiahousingauthority.org

Mainstream Voucher Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Referral

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

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

Other Waitlist

Status

open

Additional Notes

The Housing Access and Support Program (HAS) is a partnership with the Mid-Columbia Center for Living. Applications for HAS are accepted on a referral basis from a social service provider. This program is for very low and low-income individuals with serious mental illness. Eligible priorities inc...

Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

When a Project-Based Voucher unit is available, applicants at the top of the list for that site are notified via mail. Mariposa Village in Hood River, OR offers units. Lupine Hills in The Dalles, Oregon 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.

Family Self-Sufficiency Program
Pending

No waitlist information currently available for this program.

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

Public Housing provides affordable rental units owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Units range from single-family homes to high-rise apartments, with rent typically set at 30% of household income.

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
HCV Opened Mar 6, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 25, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 22, 2026
Mainstream Opened Feb 21, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 19, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Mid-Columbia 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 OR026
Section 8 Units 689

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 Mid-Columbia Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Mid-Columbia Housing Authority currently has 5 open waiting lists (Family Self-Sufficiency, HCV, Mainstream, Other, PBV). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Mid-Columbia 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 Mid-Columbia 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 Mid-Columbia Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Mid-Columbia Housing Authority manages approximately 689 assisted housing units (689 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 Mid-Columbia Housing Authority

Family Self-Sufficiency open

The Family Self-Sufficiency program at Mid-Columbia 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.

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Mid-Columbia 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 689 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 Mid-Columbia 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.

Other open

The Other program at Mid-Columbia 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.

PBV Project-Based Voucher open

Project-Based Vouchers at Mid-Columbia 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.

Family Self-Sufficiency Program closed

The Family Self-Sufficiency Program program at Mid-Columbia 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 Mid-Columbia 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 Mid-Columbia Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Mid-Columbia Housing Authority administers 7 programs (Family Self-Sufficiency, HCV, Mainstream, Other, PBV, Family Self-Sufficiency Program, 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 Mid-Columbia Housing Authority?
Wait times at Mid-Columbia Housing Authority depend on demand in The Dalles, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 689 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 Mid-Columbia 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 Mid-Columbia Housing Authority, including Columbia Gorge 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 Mid-Columbia Housing Authority?
You can reach Mid-Columbia 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 Mid-Columbia Housing Authority?
Income limits for Mid-Columbia 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.

Mid-Columbia Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Mid-Columbia 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.