Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden—along with Oregon Governor Tina Kotek—today announced that $7,450,000 in federal funding is coming to Oregon to help people with disabilities access affordable housing and a range of supportive services.
“Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home, and these funds will support public housing authorities across Oregon in better serving people with disabilities,” said Senator Merkley. “As communities across our state face the biggest housing affordability crisis in decades—with rents dramatically outpacing incomes—we must do everything we can to ensure our families have a decent roof overhead. I’ll keep fighting to deliver critical resources to help ease the burden on all Oregonians searching for a place to call home.”
“Housing is a human right, and it’s crucial that federal investments support that statement with action in Oregon and nationwide,” said Senator Wyden. “These resources help advance toward that goal in our state by investing in public housing that’s affordable and accessible for people with disabilities. And I’ll keep battling for similar housing investments throughout Oregon for all communities.”
“This funding is one more win for providing more affordable housing and supportive services for Oregonians with disabilities and their families,” said Governor Kotek. “We’re staying true to our values by making sure all of our neighbors have access to core basic needs that make life more affordable and create opportunities to thrive.”
The federal funds are being awarded to the Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services (OHCS) in the form of new Section 811 Housing Choice Vouchers. Known as Mainstream Vouchers, they enable people with disabilities to access both affordable housing and supportive services—provided through partnership agreements between public housing authorities and local agencies—to enable individuals to live independently in the community.
###