Clackamas County will receive more than $360,000 in vouchers from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to fund permanent affordable housing assistance to Oregonians with extreme mental health concerns and disabilities, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced this week.
“As the weather continues to be wet and cold, I’m gratified to see more Oregonians get a roof overhead,” Wyden said in a press release. “Housing is a basic human need.
“These permanent housing vouchers are critical to ensuring that more Oregonians living with mental illness and/or disabilities gain access to a stable, safe place to call home. I am devoted to ensuring vulnerable people get a roof over their heads in Oregon and across the country.”
The release said a total of six Oregon counties will receive 80 vouchers from HUD worth more than $900,000. The Housing Authority of Clackamas County was tabbed for 30 vouchers, worth $361,166.
This housing assistance will go to assist non-elderly people with disabilities who are transitioning out of institutional or other isolated settings, are at serious risk of institutionalization, are homeless, or are otherwise without stable housing, according to the release.
“I’ve heard from many Oregonians who are struggling under the enormous weight of America’s affordable housing crisis—a weight that is only amplified for individuals with disabilities,” Merkley said.
“These critical federal housing investments will help Oregonians with disabilities access affordable and safe housing across our state.”
HUD awarded both new vouchers and extraordinary administrative fees, which can be used to support the housing search and leasing up of eligible applicants, in addition to easing costs like security deposits, signing bonuses, vacancy payments and damage mitigation.
In addition to Clackamas County, the Housing Authority of Lane County will receive 30 vouchers worth $237,654, the Housing Authority of Yamhill County will receive $108,000 for extraordinary administrative fees, as will the Housing Authority of Washington County, which will receive $89,000 for extraordinary administrative fees.
Finally, the Klamath Housing Authority and the Housing Authority were tabbed for 10 vouchers each, worth $44,089 and $64,068, respectively.
“People with disabilities deserve access to affordable housing that meets their needs,” HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge said. “Today’s funding is an important step forward — one that will help more persons with disabilities serve as fully integrated members of their communities and allow them to live independently and with dignity.”
