Washington County assistance.

Home repair program

You can receive housing assistance from the Home Access and Repair for the Disabled and Elderly (HARDE) program. The program provides grants and/or low-interest loans to low- and moderate-income Washington county residents so that they can improve and repair their homes. Including taking such actions as repairing deteriorated siding or roofing, fixing a broken door or windows, repairing plumbing or electrical systems, replace or repair defective heating systems and structural defects. The maximum grant or low interest loan that is available through the HARDE program is $3,500.

In addition, the loans and grants also can be used to improve accessibility needs, such as providing wider doorways, including adding ramps, adding shower rails, grab rails, lower kitchen counters and cabinets, elevated toilets, roll-under sinks, installing security devices and door handles.

Qualifications for the home repair assistance program include being disabled or elderly (62 or older), being a Washington County resident, having an urgent need for the improvements or repairs, or accessibility improvements, and people applying also must meet income guidelines. Dial (503) 846-8814 to learn more.

Housing Assistance Programs

The United Way, working closely with Community Action in Washington County (phone (503) 648-6646), provides rent assistance to people in need, and they will also provide funds to those who may be facing an eviction. Historically the groups have been able to prevent almost 50 evictions per month, but lately they have been assisting more renters due to the weak economy. The City of Hillsboro, the City of Beaverton, and the Hillsboro Community Foundation all have been major contributors and supporters of the programs being offered.

Emergency cash grants and financial assistance

The non-profit organization that offers the most services is the Community Action Organization. They offer these services and resources to qualified individuals.

• Energy assistance - The agency helps low to moderate income households in Hillsboro and the county with paying their heating bills and electricity costs. The energy bill assistance program operates year-round using federal government, state of Oregon, and private funding from utility companies and other private donations. Assistance for utility bills and its availability depends on funding cycles, type of requests, and donations received. Funding is limited.
   
• Rental assistance programs - The Washington County Oregon Community Action agency also has limited funding and resources to provide emergency rent assistance so individuals and families can stay in their homes or apartments.
   
• Weatherization assistance - The non-profit agency also provides cost-free weatherization services and energy conservation programs to low to moderate income-qualified residents (both homeowners and renters) of Washington County. The primary objective of the weatherization program is to provide free services and resources that will help families lower their heating and utility bills and stay warmer, safer and more comfortable during the year.

Call Community Action Organization at (503) 648-6646  to learn more about these or other programs.

Bienestar also offers emergency financial assistance for a variety of bills. Their main focus is on getting people jobs, but grants are available for short term expenses. Receive help for housing and rent expenses, child care, energy bills, food and other basic needs. They help families and households that have undergone an illness, injury or recent job layoff. As indicated above, they realize the main goal is to help people become self-sufficient, so to that end they do focus on rapid re-employment through a network of local Hillsboro and Washington County employers. Phone 503-693-2937.

IRCO, formally known as the Immigrant  and Refugee Community Organization (503) 234-1541, provides qualified individuals with access to rent and utility bill assistance programs. they also run culturally specific  financial education classes, debt reduction services, and budgeting skills to promote long-term financial stability of African refugee and immigrant families in the area.