ORS 458.390 Rental assistance program for youth and young adults at risk of homelessness

The Housing and Community Services Department shall implement a long-term rental assistance program that is available to individuals who are younger than 25 years of age and who are, or have recently been:

Homeless;

In any substitute care program, as defined in ORS 326.575;

Incarcerated or detained in a correctional facility or detention facility as defined in ORS 419A.004; or

Residing in a facility for dependency treatment or rehabilitation or for mental health treatment.

The department shall choose three or four regions in which to operate the program, which must include at least one urban area, one rural area and one coastal area.

In designing the program, the department shall consult with:

The Oregon Housing Stability Council;

The Department of Human Services, including department staff operating programs or services for eligible foster children or former foster children and the department’s advisory committee on runaway and homeless youth under ORS 417.799 (6);

Housing authorities;

Community-based social service providers serving the population of eligible recipients of the program;

Culturally specific youth providers; and

The Community Action Partnership of Oregon.

The Housing and Community Services Department shall collect data on program participants receiving rental assistance, including:

Demographic data, including race.

Program subsidy amounts.

Length of tenancies and instances of rehousing or homelessness.

Types of housing, including roommates or family living situations.

Access to, and utilization of, other support systems, including education, workforce training, health insurance and primary care providers.

The department may contract with housing authorities, community action agencies or community-based social service and housing providers to deliver rental assistance and to collect and report data under the program.