LANE COUNTY RENT ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS LIMITED TO THOSE MOST IN NEED; APPLICATION PROCESS CLOSING DECEMBER 13TH

Lane County, OR —Lane County announced today the application for rent assistance is closing to all but very low income renters facing active evictions for nonpayment of rent. Applications will close for all renters on Dec 13th. 2021.

The number of pending applications for rent assistance in Lane County is anticipated to expend all available funding so the difficult choice was made to close the application to all new applicants except those in the most need.

The Board of County Commissioners recently extended Lane County residents’ protections from eviction.  Now, applicants for rent assistance will have a 90 day ‘safe harbor’ from eviction while their applications are being processed.

Lane County and its non-profit partners continue to make progress in processing pending applications for rent assistance. Since July 1, they have distributed $20,527,423 to landlords and tenants to assist 3,281 local households.

Those who have received an eviction notice should contact Lane County Legal Aid to learn about these protections and their other rights and responsibilities:  541-485-1017

Applications already received will continue to be processed as expediently as possible.

Following Department of Treasury guidance, Lane County Rent Assistance Programs will prioritize applicants with the lowest income, highest amount of rent owed, and who have been unemployed 90 days or longer. Those who have suffered the negative effects from the 2020 Wildfires will also receive prioritization.

This funding is from the Department of Treasury and was approved in the American Rescue Plan. Lane County has access to funds directly and through the State of Oregon. If a tenant received Rent Relief from a different program before, they may be eligible to receive these Treasury funds.

• To apply, visit www.lanecountyor.gov/rent or to be assisted by phone, call (541) 682-3776 Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.