Best Housing & Financial in Oregon — 17 resources

About Housing & Financial for Women

Housing and financial assistance for women combines federal programs (HUD, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP) with state and local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), with VAWA giving survivors of domestic violence priority and emergency transfer rights. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing run through HUD's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Mothers with custodial children typically qualify for TANF cash assistance and family-priority housing. Community action agencies and 211 lines coordinate utility help, emergency funds, and rent assistance. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 referral lines, and community action agencies.

Housing & Financial in Oregon

Oregon circuit courts handle family law in each of its 27 judicial districts. The Division of Child Support operates under the Department of Justice. Portland, Salem, Eugene, Gresham, and Hillsboro are the largest metros. Legal Aid Services of Oregon and the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence provide statewide civil legal aid and safety services for women.

17 Resources

1. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) — Free

State housing programs including rental assistance, homeownership, and affordable housing for women and families in financial need in Salem. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

503-986-2000 · 725 Summer St NE Suite B, Salem, OR 97301 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance — Free

Emergency rental and utility assistance for women facing housing instability across Oregon. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

211 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Home Forward — Portland Housing Authority — Free

Public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers for low-income Portland women. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

503-802-8300 · 135 SW Ash St, Portland, OR 97204 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Housing Authority of Lane County — Free

Affordable housing for low-income women in the Eugene area. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

541-682-3755 · 177 Day Island Rd, Eugene, OR 97401 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

5. Habitat for Humanity — Portland/Metro East — Free

Affordable homeownership for qualifying families in Portland for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

503-287-9529 · 8210 SE Harrison St, Portland, OR 97216 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Community Action Partnership of Oregon — Free

Network of agencies providing housing and emergency assistance statewide for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

503-316-3399 · Portland, OR · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Oregon LIHEAP — Energy Assistance — Free

Helps low-income women pay heating and energy bills across Oregon. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

800-453-5511 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. JOIN — Portland Homeless Services — Free

Housing placement and support for women experiencing homelessness in Portland. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

503-232-2031 · 1435 NE 81st Ave Suite 100, Portland, OR 97213 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Salvation Army — Oregon — Free

Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and financial assistance for women and families in financial need in Oregon. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Bring photo ID, proof of income, lease or utility bills, and any eviction notices when applying. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

503-239-1221 · Multiple OR locations · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

10. HUD.gov — Find Local Office — Free

Federal housing assistance hub. Section 8, public housing, homeless services, and HUD office locator for every state for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at hud.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. HUD Homeless Resources — Free

Federal homeless assistance programs and Continuum of Care contacts in every community for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at hud.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. LIHEAP — Energy Assistance — Free

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — help with heating, cooling, and weatherization in every state for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at acf.hhs.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Salvation Army — Find Help — Free

Emergency shelter, rent assistance, food, utilities, and transitional housing in nearly every US community for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at salvationarmyusa.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Catholic Charities USA — Free

Emergency assistance, housing, food, and family support — local agency in nearly every diocese nationwide for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at catholiccharitiesusa.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. United Way Worldwide — Free

Local United Ways provide housing assistance, food, financial coaching and 211 referrals for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at unitedway.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Habitat for Humanity — Free

Affordable homeownership opportunities for working families in every state for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at habitat.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. Family Promise — Free

National network helping homeless families achieve sustainable independence through community-based programs for women and families in financial need. Programs include rental assistance, utility help, transitional housing, and financial coaching. Available online 24/7 at familypromise.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many housing & financial resources are in Oregon?
Women's Corner tracks 17 housing & financial resources for women in Oregon.
Are housing & financial resources in Oregon free?
17 of the 17 listed housing & financial resources in Oregon are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Oregon have housing & financial resources?
Listings span cities including Salem, Portland, Eugene.
What are some examples of housing & financial resources in Oregon?
Featured entries include Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance, Home Forward — Portland Housing Authority, Housing Authority of Lane County, Habitat for Humanity — Portland/Metro East.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
9 of 17 Oregon housing & financial listings include phone numbers.
How long is the Section 8 waitlist?
It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.
What does 211 do?
211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.
Can I get TANF as a single mother?
Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.
What if I'm being evicted?
Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.