Letter from the director

Hello Washington County,

March is Women’s History Month, and a great time to uplift women, especially single moms and women living on fixed incomes, who remain among the most vulnerable to housing instability. Their perseverance is a powerful reminder of why stable, affordable homes matter so deeply. At the same time, many of our Muslim neighbors recently concluded Ramadan and celebrated Eid al-Fitr. In a moment when global events have brought grief and fear for many Muslim families, we remain committed to our investments in community-specific services that make housing more accessible for everyone.

Even amid uncertainty, we continue to see the impact of our shared work. Recent reporting by the Oregonian in an article called, “Here’s who benefits from rent assistance paid for with the Portland area homeless services tax” highlighted how the region’s Supportive Housing Services (SHS) measure is helping over 1,600 formerly homeless households in Washington County with ongoing rent assistance. This regional long-term rental assistance program (RLRA) is like a housing voucher and increased Washington County’s capacity from roughly 3,000 to over 5,000 vouchers in just four years. Because of this investment, people with disabilities, seniors, and those who have been homeless the longest can thrive as long as rental assistance and the supports they need continue.

At the state level, lawmakers advanced legislation that will help preserve homes at risk across the state. We are grateful for the steady commitment of our representatives who shape these policies, and for the Legislature’s continued focus on safeguarding homes vulnerable to the forces of the market. Housing preservation has always been close to my heart. During my time as co-chair of the Housing Preservation Committee of the Housing Alliance many years ago, I learned saving even one affordable home can stabilize a family and strengthen an entire neighborhood.

Everyone deserves a home, and together, we are safeguarding that future.

Best,

Molly

Housing front desk staff lead with care and compassion

In our department, some of the most meaningful moments happen right at the front desk.

For Customer Services Team Lead Jacob Rosales, those moments have added up to hundreds of individual connections. Jacob recalls a longtime participant who had visited the front desk many times over the years. For that participant, our programs allowed their family time and resources to focus on supporting their child with significant needs. Today, their child is learning to drive, has learned to speak multiple languages, and is preparing to move out and live on their own. Jacob commented, “It really is a beautiful thing when we are able to see success stories where the true purpose of our work is showcased so completely.”

Many participants have shared what it means to them when they are met with compassion at the front desk. At a recent Housing Advisory Committee meeting, Wahya, a voucher participant, gave a shoutout to Bre Gravley, one of our voucher staff, for their grace, empathy, and going above and beyond with participants.

This is the caliber of care we see from our front desk team every day. The front desk collaborates closely with our voucher teams and other organizations to make sure each person receives the right support. A complicated question at the counter turns into a clear next step or reassurance during a difficult moment. This kind of compassionate action keeps our services accessible and responsive to everyone who comes through our door.

As housing instability continues to grow across our community, these stories remind us why the front desk is at the heart of our mission and reflects the best of who we are as a department. A big thank you to our front-line staff for all the work you do!

Interested in waitlist openings?

Keep up to date with the department's affordable housing and vouchers' waitlist openings by easily creating a profile on our portal to receive notifications. You can also check out our dedicated waitlists' webpage that includes non-county operated properties. Share with family, friends, and colleagues.

Progress through partnership: neighbors shape future Homeless Services programs

We have been busy this month strengthening partnerships with neighbors as we plan for the Central County Safe Rest Village opening this summer, and Cornell Road Recovery transitional housing coming later this year. Last month, we hosted the first community meeting for the Central County Safe Rest Village, giving nearby residents and businesses a chance to learn about the site, ask questions, and help shape the Good Neighbor Agreement that will guide how we work together.

That work continues tonight with the second Good Neighbor Agreement meeting for the Cornell Road Recovery program. This program will provide recovery-focused transitional housing, and tonight’s conversation will focus on design components and building safety features. The neighborhood recently selected the color palette featured in the rendering below.

Both meetings highlight our commitment to meaningful community involvement as we expand much-needed shelter and housing services across the county. Our neighbor meetings are intended to support thoughtful planning for these future programs and help build good relationships with our new neighbors. We appreciate everyone who shows up, asks questions, and helps us create programs that work for both our participants and the wider community.

To learn more about these projects and others, check out our new Current Projects webpage.

Do you have a story to share?

Do you know of someone who may want to share their housing story with us? Or perhaps you work in housing and want to inform others of a specific experience? We want to hear from you and share positive impactful stories with our community.

Jackie’s story: Finding home in Forest Grove

After years of suffering through homelessness, Jackie is grateful to be settling into a home she can call her own in Forest Grove. As a single mom of five who worked job after job that never paid quite enough, Jackie spent many years trying to stay ahead while navigating challenges that kept piling up. In the end, Jackie couldn’t keep up, and she fell into homelessness and could not find her way out for many years.

Things started to shift when she connected with a local mental health organization in Washington County. The staff helped her sort through some long‑standing obstacles, get the care she needed, and introduced her to resources she hadn’t known about before. Little by little, each connection opened the door to more stability and real options for her future.

Today, Jackie shares her one‑bedroom apartment with her black‑and‑white dog, and everyday life feels like life is becoming more manageable. There’s more to her journey, and we invite you to read the full story.

This story is courtesy of Metro. A video version can be seen on their Instagram.

Department of Housing Services

WE ARE HIRING!

A spectrum of jobs in housing are available from entry level to upper management with a competitive benefits package and a dynamic hardworking environment. Click here to view available positions.

Mission Statement

The Department of Housing Services creates pathways out of homelessness, promotes housing stability, and invests in affordable communities for Washington County and our residents.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, OR | washingtoncountyor.gov/housing