SALEM, Ore.-Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) long-term rent assistance program (LTRA), aimed at helping people remain housed after exiting homelessness has expanded, now reaching rural Oregon communities.
Over 1,900 households and 3,000 Oregonians have had access to long-term rental assistance and other support services since July 2025.
“Long term rental assistance is a lifeline for thousands of Oregonians,” said Andrea Bell, OHCS Executive Director. “Oregonians are what make Oregon special and they should not have to face the impossible choice of fighting to pay rent or pay for other basic needs.”
According to OHCS, over 500 people have received assistance, including in Umatilla, Morrow, Gilliam, and Wheeler Counties, since the LTRA program expanded to all Oregon counties about nine months ago.
The LTRA program was created as part of Oregon’s emergency homelessness response and the program works to ensure that individuals and families rehoused with the help of state investments have access to rental assistance when they need it.
“LTRA funding enables CAPECO to continue serving households whose housing situations remain fragile and who might otherwise return to homelessness” said Claudia Limón, program director at Community Action Program of East Central Oregon (CAPECO). “By providing ongoing support and resources, we can help families maintain stability, preserve their housing, and build a stronger foundation for long-term success.”
After short-term assistance ends, LTRA provides rental subsidies, help with utilities, and provides access to other support services to eligible households.
LTRA is administered regionally, allowing communities and organizations the flexibility to serve households based on local needs.
According to OHCS, that aspect of the program is especially important in rural Oregon, where there can be limited rental opportunities or long distances between services.
“Rural communities across Oregon know their neighbors and their needs, and long-term rental assistance gives local partners the flexibility and resources to deliver,” said Bell.
OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community providers.
More information about OHCS and its programs is available online.
Resources for those experiencing homelessness in Umatilla County include, Stepping Stones Alliance, Martha’s House, CAPECO, and the Umatilla Housing Authority.
