111 NE Lincoln St.
Suite 200-L MS63
Hillsboro, OR  97124-3082
(503) 846-4755
Fax: (503) 846-4795
http://www.co.washington.or.us/Housing/

AGENCY INFORMATION
Adolph “Val” Valfre, Jr., Executive Director
Total Number of Staff:  39
Area Served: Washington County
Year Incorporated: 1970

MISSION

Begun in 1970 with the creation of the Housing Authority of Washington County, the effort continues today in the Department of Housing Services (DHS).  The Department of Housing Services was formed in 1992 to administer housing activities and programs of the County and the Housing Authority.  The Housing Authority remains a separate legal entity and contracts with the County to implement and administer Housing Authority programs and all support services (e.g. finance, purchasing, and personnel).

The mission of the Department of Housing Services is to provide affordable housing opportunities to help break the cycle of poverty and improve the quality of life in our community.

Working in partnership with both the non-profit and the private sector, the Department of Housing Services combines traditional housing programs with economic opportunity to encourage self sufficiency, skill enhancement and independence.

WHO WE SERVE
The Department of Housing Services provides rental assistance and affordable rental opportunities to low income families throughout Washington County.

Rental Assistance Programs

The Section 8 and Public Housing programs provide rental assistance to approximately 3,000 very low income households in Washington County earning up to 50% of the Area Median Income, or $35,000 annually for a household of 4 persons.

As of December, 2009, the Department was assisting a total of 2,973 households through its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing programs. Of these, 1,360 were families with children. 558 were elderly, and 1,546 were disabled.

The average assisted household consists of 2 persons, and has an annual income of $8,886. At this income, the household could only afford to pay monthly rent of $222. Without the assistance from the Department, many of these households would have to live in substandard housing, share housing with multiple families, or be homeless.

Affordable Rental Housing

The Department’s affordable housing provides an additional 521 rental units throughout the county. Rents are set to be affordable for households earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income.

Additionally, through partnerships with the public and private sector, the Department has been able to facilitate the development of over 2,000 additional units of affordable rental housing. Thirteen percent of the units developed in partnership serve populations with special needs including adults with disabilities, elderly persons, and agricultural workers.