FAQs for Applicants
More Important Information about our Rental Housing
Housing Definitions
General Questions
How Do I Qualify for REACH Housing
About Our Waitlist Process
HOUSING DEFINITIONS
What is subsidized housing?
Subsidized housing is housing that has partial financial support from public funds administered through a government program. Rent levels are regulated in subsidized housing so that they are affordable to low income households.
What is Low Income Housing Tax Credit?
The LIHTC, (Low Income Housing Tax Credit) Program is a federal housing program administered by the State and monitored by the IRS. Credits are given to each State based on the census. The State Allocating Agency, in our case OHCS (Oregon Housing and Community Services), determines which projects will receive credits following the Qualified Allocation Plan.
What is the difference between the Project Based Section 8 Program and The Section 8 Voucher Program?
Both programs provide rental assistance and participants must be income qualified. The Section 8 Voucher program is administered by HAP; the project based section 8 program can be administered by HAP or HUD. Assistance payments are calculated differently for each program. Learn more about Section 8 Vouchers from the Housing Authority of Portland.
The Project Based Section 8 assistance is tied to the unit so if the household moves out, they cannot take the assistance with them.
The Section 8 Voucher is portable and goes with the household to their next home, anywhere in Multnomah County.
In both programs the assistance is provided as long as the household remains income qualified and does not violate the terms of the rental agreement and/or the program requirements.
With respect to HUD’s Section 504’s requirements, what is considered an accessible unit?
The Section 504 regulations define an accessible dwelling unit as a unit that is located on an accessible route and can be approached, entered, and used by individuals with physical disabilities. A unit that is on an accessible route and is adaptable and otherwise in compliance with the standards set forth in 24 CFR 8.32 is accessible. In addition, the Section 504 regulations impose specific accessibility requirements for new construction and alteration of housing and non-housing facilities in HUD assisted programs. Section 8.32 of the regulations states that compliance with the appropriate technical criteria in the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS), or a standard that is equivalent to or stricter than the UFAS, is an acceptable means of meeting the technical accessibility requirements in Sections 8.21, 8.22, 8.23 and 8.25 of the Section 504 regulations.
What are Fair Housing Guidelines?
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Where are your properties located?
REACH’s properties are mainly in the inner southeast area of Portland. There are also apartment buildings in North, Northeast, Northwest and Downtown Portland as well. Check out our property map.
Do you offer Rental Assistance?
REACH does not offer financial assistance. If you are a REACH resident, our Resident Services department may be able to help you locate money to pay your rent if you are unable to. If you are not a current REACH resident please call 211 for more information on rental assistance.
Are you the Housing Authority?
No, REACH is not the Housing Authority. We are a housing provider. Visit the Housing Authority of Portland website or call 503-802-8300 or TTY 503-802-8554.
HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR REACH HOUSING
What are the income restrictions?
To reside in most REACH housing, your income may not exceed 60% of the area Median Family Income (MFI) for the City of Portland (pdf). MFI is calculated each year by HUD (Housing and Urban Development) from income data collected annually for the entire State. Many of our buildings have income restrictions less than 60%. Please refer to the Property Detail page of the building you are interested in on the Find Housing Page for specific income qualifications.
Do you accept Section 8?
Yes, REACH accepts Section 8 vouchers at all properties. Applicants must meet the building specific screening criteria first.
Do you accept people with evictions?
Generally, people with evictions in the last three years are not eligible for REACH housing. (This varies by building). REACH will consider “Ready To Rent” class graduates, with evictions, in certain circumstances.
What are the criminal disqualifiers?
Each building has slightly different criminal disqualifiers. Please refer to the Property Detail page of the building you are interested in on the Find Housing Page for specific income qualifications.
What is Reasonable Accommodation?
Under the Fair Housing Act housing providers are required to make adjustments (a reasonable accommodation) for people with disabilities to enable them to have an equal opportunity to enjoy housing. This obligation has limits. A provider only has to make adjustments that do not result in a fundamental alternation of the nature of the housing program and do not result in an undue financial or administrative hardship. Regulations allow a landlord or other housing provider to request verification of the disability and of the need for an accommodation from a qualified professional.
How many people are allowed per bedroom?
REACH follows HUD’s occupancy standards which allows 2 people per bedroom plus 1 for the unit. A unit consists of a bedroom with a closet, a window and a space for sleeping.
Can I have a roommate?
You may have a roommate as long as the Occupancy Standards are not exceeded and income requirements are met. All adults must meet the appropriate screening criteria. Please refer to the Property Detail page of the building you are interested in on the Find Housing Page and look for “How Many People Allowed per bedroom.”
Do you allow pets?
Most buildings allow one spayed/neutered cat with an additional deposit. Service/companion animals may be allowed for persons with disabilities.
Parking?
Parking varies building by building. Please refer to the Property Detail page of the building you are interested in on the Find Housing Page and look for “parking details”.
Do I have to sign a lease?
To reside in a tax credit financed project we offer tenants a six or 12 month lease; HUD projects require a one-year lease; REACH (in non-tax credit buildings) uses a Month-To-Month.
ABOUT OUR WAITLIST PROCESS
How do I apply to the waitlist?
Choose the properties you are interested in and sign up for the waitlist online or call 503-231-0682 ext. 203 to have a pre-application mailed to you.
How do I know if my online pre-application went through and that I’m on the waitlist?
If the pre-application was emailed to us, a confirmation email will be sent to you that states your pre-application has been received and is being reviewed for eligibility. If the pre-application was mailed to us, no confirmation will be sent. Another option is to call the building manager approximately one week after the pre-application was mailed to verify that the application was received. (link to Find Housing Process PM phone list page)
How long do I have to wait for a unit to become available?
Each building maintains its own wait list. Wait list times vary depending on the type of building (subsidized or non-subsidized). For a subsidized building, the expected wait time can be up to two years or longer for a unit. For a non-subsidized unit, the expected wait time can be from three months to one year (all wait times are approximate and may differ by building).
When will I know that a property is available?
When we receive notice of a future vacancy, management notifies applicants by mail or phone based on their position on the waitlist. After being notified, applicants begin the formal application and eligibility process.
.jpg)
