BEND, OR -- Rental assistance for some low income Central Oregonians is becoming available, but those interested must sign up this week.
It’s called the Housing Choice Voucher Program, in which federal funds help low income folks pay their rent. Housing Works administers the program for Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook Counties. Patty Shouviller runs the program and tells KBND News, "So it’s very fierce competition and it really showcases the need for additional housing assistance in this area. It really shows how people are struggling."
The competition comes from an expected 5,000 people applying for 500 openings for rental assistance. It is NOT first-come-first-served; it will be a lottery. "The waiting list, being open a week, gives everybody the same opportunity to get to a computer, give us a call, get to one of the service providers in the area and get an application in on that list. ”
Applications will be held through Friday of this week. Phone applications can be submitted by calling Housing Works at 541-923-1018, or online.
