Community Support
(Updated July 16, 2021)
The City of Eugene is working hard with our partners at Lane County and Springfield to ensure our community has important information about local, state and federal resources to help residents and businesses significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of these programs and services are available to everyone regardless of where you live. All Eugene residents regardless of immigration status are eligible for City of Eugene programs and services.
Resources for Renters
Rent Repayment Period Extended to February 2022
Governor Kate Brown signed Senate Bill 282 into law, a bill that extends the repayment period for residential rent accrued during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill gives renters until February 28, 2022 to repay all rent accrued between April 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021. Oregon’s residential eviction moratorium remains in effect through June 30, 2021 (see below).
Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program is paused to new applicants as of December 1, 2021 at 11:59pm. Other resources are available, please visit the Tenant Resources page for more information.
Statewide Eviction Moratorium
The statewide eviction moratorium (HB 4401) will last until June 30, 2021. This means that, with limited exceptions, landlords cannot evict renters for nonpayment or without cause until July of 2021.
The protections for renters under the statewide moratorium are not automatic! To be protected from eviction for nonpayment after December 31, 2020, renters must fill out and sign a sworn declaration of financial hardship and give it to their landlords in order to be protected from eviction.
Additional Resources
- Lane County Rent Assistance
- Springfield-Eugene Tenant Association (SETA)
SETA is a nonprofit dedicated to renters’ rights and interests. SETA manages a hotline for renters: 541-972-3715, online submissions may also be made. - Access the Law (ALT)
ATL provides quality legal services for working and low-income families and individuals, including landlord tenant law. - Oregon Law Center/Legal Aid of Lane County
The Lane County Legal Aid Office of OLC serves the low-income community throughout Lane County. While they do intakes on a wide variety of issues, the cases typically handled are related to housing, benefits, family law and issues of domestic violence. The office may be reached by calling 541-485-1017 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. - DevNW
DevNW is an organization that wants to grow vibrant Northwest communities by empowering the region’s individuals, families, small businesses, and neighborhoods. - Fair Housing Council of Oregon
The Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO) is a statewide civil rights organization whose mission is to eliminate housing discrimination through access to enforcement and education.
Resources for Landlords and Property Managers
- 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). - 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. - 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.
Resources for Homeowners
Foreclosure and Eviction Moratorium
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced extensions of the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) foreclosure and eviction moratoriums, as well as an extension of the initial start date of a COVID-19 Forbearance. FHA’s foreclosure and eviction moratorium is in effect through June 30, 2021. Update: House Bill 2009 extended Oregon’s mortgage foreclosure moratorium for residential properties until September 30, 2021.
HUD urges all homeowners who are able to make their mortgage payments to continue to do so. However, homeowners who need COVID-19 mortgage payment assistance should contact their mortgage servicer immediately or consider contacting a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. Homeowners may also visit HUD’s Coronavirus Relief for Homeowners web page or HUD’s COVID-19 Resources for Native Americans webpage for additional information and resources.
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 June 30, 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 June 30, 2021. - DevNW
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.
Local, State and Federal Resources
For many people, COVID-19 comes with worries about how to put food on the table. See the following list of resources and information to help access food.
- FOOD for Lane County
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) helps supplement monthly food budgets of families with low-income to buy the food they need to maintain good health and allow them to direct more of their available income toward essential living expenses. - Need Food?
The Department of Human Services has developed a new website to help connect Oregonians with:- Local school meal programs
- Food banks and pantries
- Meals for older community members
- Applications for food assistance programs
- Oregon Food Bank: Food Finder
- The Dining Room
Located at 270 W. 8th Avenue in Eugene, the Dining Room will serve to-go meals Monday through Thursday at no cost between 12-3 p.m. (or until food runs out) instead of seating guests inside. - School Meals
- Eugene 4J Free Meals for Children and Youth
- Bethel School District Free Meals
- Support for Senior Citizens
Seniors can access Meals on Wheels service and delivery of Senior Grocery. - Support Veterans and Their Families
The Veteran Resource Navigator tool, developed by the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, includes 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.
Taking care of your emotional health and wellbeing is important right now. We think it’s vital that we all try to decrease stress and anxiety. It can help keep you physically healthy and, in turn, help those around you. Know the signs as well as when and where to seek help.
Local Resources
- Lane County Public Health Suicide Prevention, 541-682-8731
- White Bird Clinic, 541-342-8255
- 211info
- Oregon’s Senior Loneliness Line, 800-282-7035 or 503-200-1633
Safe + Strong Helpline
Safe + Strong Helpline is a behavioral health landing page that offers mental and emotional support information and resources as well as guidance for how to have conversations with loved ones who may be struggling.
Visit safestrongoregon.org or call one of their helplines:
- Safe + Strong Helpline: 800-923-4357 (HELP).
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
- Alcohol and Drug Helpline: 1-800-923-4357
- Military Helpline: 1-888-457-4838
- Youthline (teen to teen support): 1-877-968-8491 or text teen2teen to 839863
- Trans Lifeline (Trans-led support): 877-565-8860
- The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ related support: 866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678
You Are Not Alone
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has created the You Are Not Alone website to provide resources for those at risk of harm due to isolation during COVID-19. All resources offer translation services and are confidential.
For Children and Teens
- Child and Family Center at the University of Oregon
- White Bird’s HOOTS (Helping Out Our Teens in Schools): HOOTS is offering mental health support by phone for students, families, and staff of high schools in the 4J, Springfield, Bethel, Oakridge and South Lane school districts. The phone line is staffed by crisis counselors who normally work in the HOOTS school clinics, or work on CAHOOTS.
- Students, families and staff of Churchill, North Eugene, Sheldon, South Eugene, ECCO, Network Charter, Wellsprings, Twin Rivers Charter, Willamette High School and Kalapuya should call: 541-246-2342.
- Students, families and staff of the Academy of Arts and Academics, Gateways, Springfield High School, Thurston High School and Oakridge High School should call: 541-246-2332.
- 15th Night will also continue to offer support and resources for unhoused youth and those working with them via phone and text at 541-246-4046.
For Veterans
National Resources
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255
- Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990
- American Psychological Association
- World Health Organization
Water and Power
- Lane County Energy Assistance
- Also contact your utility company to learn about their bill assistance programs.
Internet
Sign Up for Emergency Broadband Benefit Beginning May 12
The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Local School District Information
- Eugene 4J
- Bethel School District
Oregon Department of Education
See Ready Schools, Safe Learners Guidance for links to blueprints for school districts; resources for school leaders, families and students; and more.