Rental assistance again available

For the first time in more than 1½ years, the region’s public housing authority has been able to issue federal rental assistance, providing vouchers to 65 households, the agency announced this week.

Housing Works also will be opening its waiting lists for Central Oregon residents seeking help paying their rent.

The agency will be opening waiting lists for the Housing Choice Voucher program, formerly known as the Section 8 program, and for the Non-elderly Disabled rental assistance program, which helps those under age 62 who are disabled, according to a news release.

Both programs help pay part of the rent for poor people, whose income qualifies them to receive assistance. The waiting lists are organized through a computerized lottery.

The list for the Housing Choice Voucher program will be open from 12:01 a.m. Monday through 11:59 p.m. Jan. 17. For the Non-elderly Disabled program, formerly called Mainstream, the waiting list will be open from 12:01 a.m. Feb. 10 through 11:59 p.m. Feb. 14.

Applicants for both must apply online. To apply or obtain more information, visit www.oregonhousingworks.org.

—Bulletin staff reports