Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance Program

These policies build upon existing policies developed for Home Forward’s local flexible Long-Term Rent Assistance Program to address changing needs and lessons learned.

They were developed by a regional workgroup facilitated by Metro that included staff members from the Joint Office, Home Forward, the Portland Housing Bureau, and Washington and Clackamas Counties.

The policies incorporate feedback from over 110 partners collected through an online survey, focus group, and by email.

• Counties will be held accountable for ensuring referral pathways are equitable, inclusive and effective.
• Eligibility is tied to SHS Program requirements.
• No participant screening beyond verifying that a household isn’t already receiving RLRA.
• Documentation requirements will be flexible to minimize barriers.
• Subsidy will be available for as long as a household needs and remains eligible for the program, with no predetermined end date (other than if the SHS measure is not renewed by voters).
• Units must meet rent reasonableness standards and not exceed 120% of Fair Market Rent (FMR)
• Household members can be added to an RLRA contract at any time as long as the household still meets income eligibility and unit capacity requirements and landlord agrees to add to lease.
• Commitment that program partners will work together to preserve participant access to the program and avoid termination unless absolutely necessary.
• A regional landlord guarantee will be established (currently in development) to provide assurances to participating landlords.

• Renaissance Commons
  30 units of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) in partnership with REACH & the Urban League.
• Cedar Commons
  30 units of PSH in partnership with Central City Concern (CCC) & Multnomah County’s Behavioral Health Division.
• Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Participants
  Tenant-based RLRA for ACT participants experiencing homelessness.
• Senior Housing
  Tenant-based RLRA for seniors with disabling conditions in partnership with Northwest Pilot Project, Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA) and CCC.
• COVID 19 High Risk Households
  Tenant-based RLRA for households served in high-risk COVID-19 motel shelters in partnership with motel operators and culturally-specific providers.