Housing Support

Related to Governor Kate Brown’s temporary moratorium preventing residential evictions during COVID-19, there is recognition that landlords and property owners face their own costs if tenants are not able to pay rent. The Governor and her Coronavirus Economic Advisory Council are engaging lenders to find potential solutions and are exploring various state and federal policy options that might be available to provide assistance to borrowers or other options for relief. Oregon Housing and Community Services and the Department of Consumer and Business Services are also pursuing relief options at the direction of the Governor.

• Landlord Compensation Fund

  Landlords who are owed rent may apply to the Landlord Compensation Fund, which is a voluntary program that will pay 80% of tenants’ rent debt accrued April 1, 2020 to present (the remaining 20% must be forgiven). State agencies are hard at work setting up this new program – they are projecting that applications will open by the end of January. You can learn more on Oregon Housing and Community Service's website or sign up for email updates to be alerted when applications are open.

• Rental Owners Association in Lane County
  The Rental Owners Association is a member-based, non-profit organization of residential landlords and property managers in Lane County, offering education and support. A list of vital links that landlords need for their tenants during the COVID-19 crisis is located on the main page of its website. Members receive updates via email as soon as these COVID-19 resources become available.
  

• Oregon Rental Housing Association
  The Oregon Rental Housing Association is a statewide organization of those involved in the rental housing industry, working together to safeguard the economic investment of its members, develop and promote high standards, encourage fair and equitable relationship service, promote reasonable laws and regulation, and to link members and association through an effective communication network. If you area a landlord and have renters whose livelihoods are significantly impacted and are financially able to defer rent and waive fees for a period of time, you can access a landlord/tenant deferment Agreement on the Oregon Rental Housing Association website.

If you anticipate having difficulty paying your mortgage contact your lender or mortgage servicer as soon as possible to see if your mortgage may qualify for federal programs related to COVID-19.

• Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Extend Foreclosure Moratoriums Through Jan. 31, 2021
  The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Government-Sponsored Enterprises, or GSEs) will extend their respective foreclosure moratoriums on GSE-backed single-family loans until January 31, 2021. This means that homeowners with mortgages that are federally backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be protected beyond Governor Kate Brown’s Executive Order 20-37 that is set to expire after December 31, 2020.
• Foreclosure Protections
  Oregon’s Legislature on June 26 passed House Bill 4204, prohibiting lenders from pursuing foreclosures against homeowners and other borrowers through Sept. 30. Governor Kate Brown on Aug. 31 issued Executive Order 20-37 to extend the foreclosure moratorium to protect Oregon homeowners and business owners through Dec. 31, 2020. Missed payments will be due at the end of a borrower’s loan term, if some other arrangement is not made with the lender.
  
• DevNW
  DevNW is an organization that wants to grow vibrant Northwest communities by empowering the region’s individuals, families, small businesses, and neighborhoods. DevNW has information about financial preparation for COVID-19. They also offer a number of online classes related to financial well-being, including foreclosure avoidance counseling and mortgage payment assistance.
• Oregon Homeownership Stabilization Initiative (OHSI)
  OHSI helps Oregonians who have gotten behind on their mortgage or property tax payments because of a change in their financial situation. They also offer support for people who are living on a fixed income or received a default notice on a reverse mortgage.
• City of Eugene Emergency Minor Home Repair
  A program is available for very low-income homeowners to correct conditions that create an immediate threat to the health and safety of the occupants. This program includes owners of stick-built homes as well as owners of mobile homes located within the city limits or annexed to the city. Staff are operating on an emergency-only basis.
• City of Eugene Accessibility Improvement
  A program available for very low-income persons with disabilities who are mobile homeowners and tenants of mobile home or stick frame homes located within the city limits or annexed to the city. The program assists with removing architectural barriers and providing accessibility improvements such as ramps.  Staff are operating on an emergency-only basis.

CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets): Provides mobile crisis intervention 24/7 in the Eugene-Springfield Metro area. CAHOOTS is dispatched by calling 541-682-5111. Each dispatched mobile team consists of a medic (either a nurse or an EMT) and a crisis worker (who has at least several years’ experience in the mental health field). Landlords and property managers may work with CAHOOTS to stabilize a renter who may be in crisis. CAHOOTS may be able to help provide mediation to help keep your tenant housed. CAHOOTS offers a broad range of services, including but not limited to: crisis counseling, conflict resolution, mediation, housing, first aid, resource referrals.

CAHOOTS is also maintaining a list of COVID-19 resources.

• Oregon Cares Fund
  The Oregon Cares Fund is a targeted investment in the Black community from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund. This fund is meant to provide the Black community with the resources it needs to weather the global health pandemic and consequent recession. Grants will vary in size for individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits, depending on the information submitted in the application. Individuals and families may be eligible to receive grants of $1,000, $2,000, or $3,000, depending on financial impacts of COVID-19 and family size. Businesses or nonprofits with employees will receive grants based off of the amount of lost revenue due to COVID-19 and additional COVID-19-related expenses.
• Community Resources for COVID/Coronavirus Impacts
  Lane County & Oregon: This list of resources is the result on ongoing collaborative efforts between The Child Center, PeaceHealth, and other community partners. 
• 211info
  Dial 211 to connect with health and social service organizations. Look online to find resources available in your zip code.
• Veteran Resource Navigator Tool
  The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs has developed an online tool to help guide veterans and their families in recovery in the wake of the economic crisis caused by COVID-19 and to inform them of any changes to their earned benefits. The tool includes resources that are organized by topic, including Economic, Health, Education, Housing and Food, and other resources. Veterans can also access additional assistance by calling an ODVA Veteran Resource Navigator at 800-692-9666.