Help with housing costs

Oregon

Financial assistance for low-income, older, and disabled homeowners and renters

25 programs listed · 24 verified against the program's own website

Oregon delivers most of this help locally, so for many programs the practical first calls are the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-855-673-2372 for in-home supports and modifications, your local Community Action Agency for weatherization and energy help (find yours at caporegon.org/find-help), and your county assessor for property tax relief.

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Home modification and aging in place

Medicaid home modifications (Oregon Health Plan / K Plan / HCBS waivers)

state
Who it is for
Homeowners (or renter with landlord permission)
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Oregon Dept. of Human Services, Aging and People with Disabilities (APD)
What you get
Home modifications as authorized in the care plan; state's modification benefit is commonly up to about $5,000
Who qualifies
any (aged or physically disabled adults on Medicaid)
Income limit
Medicaid long-term care financial limits (2026: ~$2,901/mo individual income cap; $2,000 asset limit)
How to apply
Request an assessment through the ADRC (1-855-673-2372) or your local APD / Area Agency on Aging office
If you share your home: this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
503-945-5600 (ODHS); 1-855-673-2372 (ADRC) Official program page

Oregon Project Independence - Medicaid (OPI-M)

state Owners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Oregon Dept. of Human Services, APD, via Area Agencies on Aging
What you get
In-home services including home modifications, assistive technology, personal care, housekeeping, meals, and caregiver support
Who qualifies
60+, or 18+ with a physical disability, or any age with dementia
Income limit
Up to ~400% of the Federal Poverty Level (OPI-M standards)
How to apply
Contact the ADRC at 1-855-673-2372 for eligibility and intake
If you share your home: this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
1-855-673-2372 Official program page

Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) of Oregon

state Owners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Oregon ODHS / Area Agencies on Aging
What you get
Free information, options counseling, and referral to in-home supports and modification services
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
none (information and referral service)
How to apply
Call 1-855-673-2372 (statewide) or visit adrcoforegon.org
1-855-673-2372 Official program page

Home repair and deferred maintenance

Oregon Healthy Homes Grant Program

state
Who it is for
Homeowners (some grantees serve renters)
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division
What you get
Repairs, weatherization, mold remediation, accessibility, and electrical/structural work delivered through local grantee agencies
Who qualifies
older adults prioritized (and any low-income Oregonian)
Income limit
low-income (thresholds set by the local grantee agency)
How to apply
Apply through a funded local grantee agency listed on the OHA program page; OHA does not fund individuals directly
If you share your home: a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Official program page

USDA Section 504 Home Repair Loans and Grants

federal-in-state Homeowners Not confirmed

We could not open this program's own website to check these details, so they may be out of date or incomplete. Please call or visit the program before relying on anything here.

Type of help
loan and grant
Who runs it
USDA Rural Development (Oregon State Office)
What you get
Loan up to $40,000 at 1% fixed for 20 years; grant up to $10,000 (age 62+); combined up to $50,000 ($55,000 in declared disaster areas)
Who qualifies
any for the loan; 62+ for the grant
Income limit
Very-low income (county-specific limits via the USDA eligibility site, 2026)
How to apply
Contact the Oregon USDA Rural Development state office; confirm the property is in an eligible rural area
If you share your home: a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Official program page

Unlimited Choices (home repair and accessibility)

nonprofit Homeowners
Type of help
grant, loan, service
Who runs it
Unlimited Choices, Inc. (nonprofit)
What you get
Accessibility modifications, fall-prevention work, grab bars, and critical repairs (Adapt-A-Home, Mend-A-Home, Add-A-Bar)
Who qualifies
older adults and people with mobility needs
Income limit
low-income (program-defined)
How to apply
Call (503) 234-6167 or email service@unlimitedchoices.org
If you share your home: a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
(503) 234-6167 Official program page

Weatherization and energy efficiency

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

state
Who it is for
Owners or renters (renters eligible with landlord permission)
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Oregon Housing and Community Services, via local Community Action Agencies
What you get
Free energy audit, insulation, air sealing, and furnace repair or replacement
Who qualifies
any (priority for 60+, people with disabilities, and families with children)
Income limit
At or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (2026)
How to apply
Apply through your local Community Action Agency (find one at caporegon.org/find-help)
If you share your home: a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Official program page

State Home Oil Weatherization (SHOW)

state Owners or renters
Type of help
grant, service
Who runs it
Oregon Housing and Community Services, via local Community Action Agencies
What you get
Cash support for energy-saving heating equipment and weatherization improvements
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
Aligned with the Weatherization Assistance Program
How to apply
Apply through your county Community Action Agency
If you share your home: a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Official program page

Energy Trust of Oregon - income-qualified services

utility Owners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Energy Trust of Oregon (utility ratepayer-funded nonprofit)
What you get
No-cost weatherization and energy-efficiency upgrades; community partner funding
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
Income-qualified (program-defined)
How to apply
Visit energytrust.org or work through a local Community Action Agency
If you share your home: a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Official program page

Utility bill assistance and discounts

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

federal-in-state Owners or renters
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
Oregon Housing and Community Services, via local Community Action Agencies
What you get
Energy bill payment assistance; can also fund heating-system repair/replacement and weatherization
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
At or below 60% of Oregon's state median income
How to apply
Local Community Action Agency; statewide 1-800-453-5511 (option 2) or energyassistance@oregon.gov
If you share your home: a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
1-800-453-5511 Official program page

Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP)

state Owners or renters
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
Oregon Housing and Community Services, via local Community Action Agencies
What you get
Electric bill payment assistance focused on preventing disconnection
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
At or below 60% of Oregon's state median income
How to apply
Apply through your local Community Action Agency
If you share your home: a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
1-800-453-5511 Official program page

PGE Income-Qualified Bill Discount

utility Owners or renters
Type of help
discount
Who runs it
Portland General Electric
What you get
15% to 80% monthly bill discount, tiered by household size and income
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
Tiered by household size (based on state median income); no financial documents required
How to apply
Enroll at portlandgeneral.com/income-qualified-bill-discount or call 503-228-6322
If you share your home: a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
503-228-6322 Official program page

Pacific Power Oregon Low-Income Discount

utility Owners or renters
Type of help
discount
Who runs it
Pacific Power
What you get
Tiered monthly bill discount
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
At or below 60% of Oregon state median income (income table effective Oct 1, 2025)
How to apply
Apply at pacificpower.net or call 1-888-221-7070
If you share your home: a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
1-888-221-7070 Official program page

Natural gas income-qualified bill discounts (NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas, Avista)

utility Owners or renters
Type of help
discount
Who runs it
NW Natural / Cascade Natural Gas / Avista
What you get
Permanent income-qualified monthly gas bill discounts
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
At or below 60% of Oregon state median income
How to apply
Contact your gas utility directly; NW Natural 503-226-4211
If you share your home: a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
503-226-4211 (NW Natural) Official program page

Property tax relief

Property Tax Deferral for Disabled and Senior Homeowners

state Homeowners
Type of help
deferral
Who runs it
Oregon Dept. of Revenue (apply through your county assessor)
What you get
State pays your county property taxes each November 15; repaid with 6% annual interest when the deferral ends
Who qualifies
62+ (or any age if disabled and receiving/eligible for Social Security Disability)
Income limit
$70,000 household income (2026)
How to apply
File with your county assessor by April 15 (late filing April 16 to December 1 with a fee)
If you share your home: a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Official program page

Disabled Veteran or Surviving Spouse Property Tax Exemption

state Homeowners
Type of help
exemption
Who runs it
Oregon Dept. of Revenue (apply through your county assessor)
What you get
Exempts $27,092 (base) or $32,512 (service-connected disability) of assessed value for 2026-27; both increase 3% per year
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
None generally; 185% of the Federal Poverty Level only if qualifying via physician certification
How to apply
File with your county assessor by April 1 (Form 310-676)
If you share your home: this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Official program page

Oregon has no general homestead exemption, income-based circuit-breaker credit, or assessment freeze for older adults or low-income homeowners. The senior/disabled deferral is the primary tool.

HomeShare-relevant extras

HomeShare Oregon (homeshare matching platform)

nonprofit Owners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
HomeShare Oregon (501(c)(3) nonprofit)
What you get
Free technology-enabled matching of home providers and home seekers, with background checks and support
Who qualifies
any (home providers are often older homeowners; home seekers are typically renters)
Income limit
none
How to apply
Sign up at homeshareonline.org or call (503) 515-2397
(503) 515-2397 Official program page

Metro HomeShare (Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon)

nonprofit Owners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (nonprofit)
What you get
Shared-housing matching in the Portland metro area
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
none
How to apply
Call 503-221-1054
503-221-1054 Official program page

ADU and middle-housing policy (HB 2001 / SB 1051)

state Homeowners
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Oregon Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD); implemented by local planning departments
What you get
State law requires cities to allow accessory dwelling units in single-family zones and middle housing (duplex and up); supports shared/added housing
Who qualifies
any
Income limit
none
How to apply
Contact your local city or county planning department
Official program page

Oregon has no statewide renter property tax credit or rebate. However, home seekers who rent can qualify for LIHEAP/OEAP energy assistance and weatherization (with landlord permission). Local rent and security-deposit assistance is available through 211info and community agencies, not a statewide tax credit.

Programs that work the same in every state

Some of the biggest sources of help are federal and work much the same everywhere, including USDA Section 504 home repair, LIHEAP energy assistance, the Weatherization Assistance Program, and VA housing grants. They are described once, in detail, on our federal programs page, and the entries above give you the Oregon contacts.

One more option

Sharing your home is not on this list, but it belongs beside it.

Every program here helps you afford the home you have. Home sharing does something different: it turns a spare room into steady income and company. It is worth considering before you sell, before you move, and before things get harder to manage alone.

See how home sharing works