How long is the waitlist for Section 8?

Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.

211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.

Can single dads get TANF?

Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.

Housing & Financial in Oregon

14 verified resources.

About Housing & Financial for Fathers

Housing and financial assistance for fathers comes through a combination of federal programs (HUD, SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP) and state/local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) with long waitlists in most markets. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing are funded through the federal Continuum of Care program — every region has a Coordinated Entry system that assesses and places homeless adults and families. Rental assistance, utility assistance (LIHEAP), and one-time emergency funds are available through community action agencies and 211 referral lines. Fathers with children in their custody may qualify for Section 8 family priority and TANF, though state rules vary. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 call lines, and community action agencies that serve single dads.

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 is the primary LSC-funded civil legal aid organization statewide.

14 Resources

1. Oregon Housing & Community Services — Free

State agency in Salem that funds and coordinates affordable housing, rental assistance, homeownership education, and energy assistance programs across all 36 Oregon counties. Call 503-986-2000 during weekday business hours or visit oregon.gov/ohcs to find local partners and eligibility information. Most programs are free to apply. Applicants typically provide photo ID, proof of income (pay stubs or benefit letters), and household information during the intake process.

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

2. Home Forward – Portland Housing — Free

Multnomah County's housing authority operating public housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, and supportive housing programs for the Portland metro area. Call 503-802-8300 during weekday business hours or visit homeforward.org for current waitlist and application information. Programs are free to apply. Applicants provide photo ID, Social Security cards for household members, proof of income, and information about current housing and household size.

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

3. Salvation Army – Oregon — Free

Oregon branches of The Salvation Army offer emergency rental, utility, and shelter assistance through local corps centers, along with food pantries and family programs. Call 503-239-1275 during weekday business hours or visit salvationarmy.org to find a nearby office. Services are free for qualifying families. Applicants typically bring photo ID, proof of address, a current utility or rent bill showing arrears, and proof of income to request help.

503-239-1275 · 8495 SE Monterey Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97086 · Mon-Fri 9am-4pm · Visit Website

4. Habitat for Humanity Portland — Free

Portland Metro affiliate of Habitat for Humanity offering affordable homeownership opportunities, home repairs, and homebuyer education for qualifying low- and moderate-income families in the metro area. Call 503-287-9529 during weekday business hours or visit habitatportlandmetro.org. Application is free; selected buyers contribute sweat equity and pay an affordable mortgage. Applicants provide photo ID, Social Security information, pay stubs, and credit and housing history.

503-287-9529 · 3060 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

5. St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County — Free

Large Eugene-based social services nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, rent assistance, utility help, and food programs across Lane County. Call 541-687-5820 during weekday business hours or visit svdp.us to learn about current programs. Services are free for qualifying households. Applicants typically bring photo ID, proof of residence, proof of income, and copies of rent or utility bills showing arrears when requesting financial help.

541-687-5820 · 705 S Seneca Rd, Eugene, OR 97402 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. United Way 211 – Oregon — Free

Free 24/7 information and referral line. Dial 211 from any phone in Oregon or visit 211info.org to get help finding rent, utility, food, shelter, and family resources in your county. Specialists speak multiple languages and can help with warming shelters, crisis lines, and program eligibility. No ID or paperwork is needed to call; be ready to share your zip code, household size, and the kind of help you are looking for.

211 · 24/7 · Visit Website

7. Housing Authority of Salem — Free

City of Salem's housing authority operating public housing units and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for low-income residents of the Salem area. Call 503-588-6368 during weekday business hours or visit cityofsalem.net/sha for waitlist and application details. Programs are free to apply. Applicants typically provide photo ID, Social Security cards for household members, proof of income, and information about current housing and family composition.

503-588-6368 · 360 Church St SE, Salem, OR 97301 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Housing Authority of Jackson County — Free

Jackson County's housing authority offering public housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for low-income residents of the Medford-Ashland area. Call 541-779-5785 during weekday business hours or visit hajc.net for waitlist status and application instructions. Programs are free to apply. Applicants provide photo ID, Social Security cards for household members, proof of income, and information about current housing conditions and household size.

541-779-5785 · 2251 Table Rock Rd, Medford, OR 97501 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Lane County Housing Authority — Free

Homes for Good is Lane County's housing authority, operating public housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for residents of the Eugene-Springfield area and surrounding communities. Call 541-682-3755 during weekday business hours or visit homes-for-good.org for waitlist and application details. Programs are free to apply. Applicants provide photo ID, Social Security cards, proof of income, and household composition information.

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

10. Washington County Housing Authority — Free

Washington County's housing authority operating public housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for low-income residents in the Hillsboro-Beaverton area. Call 503-846-4794 during weekday business hours or visit co.washington.or.us/Housing for waitlist status and applications. Programs are free to apply. Applicants provide photo ID, Social Security cards for household members, pay stubs or benefits letters, and information about current housing.

503-846-4794 · 111 NE Lincoln St, Hillsboro, OR 97124 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Community Action Partnership of Oregon — Free

Statewide association representing Oregon's network of Community Action Agencies, which deliver emergency rent, utility, weatherization, and energy assistance programs locally. Call 503-316-3792 on weekdays to find the Community Action Agency that serves your county. Services provided by local partners are typically free for qualifying households. Applicants usually bring photo ID, proof of address, proof of income, and recent rent or utility statements.

503-316-3792 · PO Box 7964, Salem, OR 97303 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

12. Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action – Salem — Free

Salem-based community action agency providing emergency rent, utility, energy, and weatherization assistance for Marion and Polk County residents. Call 503-585-6232 during weekday business hours or visit mwvcaa.org to check program availability. Services are free for qualifying households. Applicants typically bring photo ID, proof of address, recent pay stubs or benefits statements, and copies of rent or utility bills when requesting help.

503-585-6232 · 2475 Center St NE, Salem, OR 97301 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

13. Housing Works – Bend — Free

Central Oregon regional housing authority, based in Redmond, that develops and manages affordable housing and administers Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for residents of Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson Counties. Call 541-323-5364 during weekday business hours or visit housing-works.org for waitlist information. Programs are free to apply. Applicants provide photo ID, Social Security cards for household members, proof of income, and current housing details.

541-323-5364 · 582 SW 5th St, Redmond, OR 97756 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

14. Northwest Housing Alternatives – Portland — Free

Milwaukie-based nonprofit developer providing affordable housing and homelessness prevention services across the Portland metro area and Oregon. Call 503-654-1007 during weekday business hours or visit nwhousing.org for information about current properties and waitlists. Applications to rent affordable housing are free. Applicants typically provide photo ID, Social Security cards for household members, proof of income, and rental history during the screening process.

503-654-1007 · 2316 SE Willard St, Milwaukie, OR 97222 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

Housing & Financial — Common Questions

How long is the waitlist for Section 8?: Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.
What does 211 do?: 211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.
Can single dads get TANF?: Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.
What's LIHEAP?: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.