Housing waiting list to open for one week

The waiting list for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, formerly known as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 8 program, will open Monday, January 14 at 8 a.m. and remain open through January 18, at 5 p.m.

This program is open to low-income qualified residents of Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties. Applicants must apply online at http://www.housing-works.org/apply/.

The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.

The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.

The time you apply during the week does not impact your position on the list. All applications taken during this time frame will be randomized by a computer and placed on the waiting list to give all applicants an equal chance.

"It's important to note that anyone who is currently on the waiting list needs to reapply to the 2019 list. This is a yearly requirement," said Lesly Gonzalez, HCV director at Housing Works.

Upon request, Housing Works staff will provide technical assistance to anyone needing help filling out the online application.