PDX Assist
The application form is now closed. If you need assistance with rental support, please contact 211.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on our community and especially for those already struggling from the shortage of affordable housing, rent assistance, and services. The City of Portland has created the Portland COVID-19 Household Assistance Program (CVHAP) to assist households experiencing a loss of income or increased health risks/needs due to COVID-19.
The fund will provide $500 prepaid Visa debit cards to help impacted households pay for:
- Dependent care
- Food
- Household supplies
- Medicine and/or health supplies
- Rent and non-City utility payments
- Transportation costs
- Other household expenses
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be an adult at least 18 years or older;
-
Be a resident of the City of Portland within incorporated city limits. Check your street address eligibility on PortlandMaps here: portlandmaps.com. Your street address MUST be listed as “Jurisdiction: Portland/Multnomah” in order to receive CVHAP funding; addresses that have any other Jurisdiction are not eligible for this program.
- Have experienced a loss of income or elevated health risk due to COVID-19 related factors;
- Have a household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) – see income eligibility chart below. Additional supplement employment income ($600) issued during the COVID-19 pandemic is excluded for the purpose of income eligibility.
Household income guidelines
| Family Size | Max Annual Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $51,600 |
| 2 | $58,960 |
| 3 | $66,320 |
| 4 | $73,680 |
| 5 | $79,600 |
| 6 | $85,520 |
| 7 | $91,440 |
| 8 | $97,280 |
Frequently-asked questions
Who can apply
Who qualifies and who can apply for the PDX Assist funding?
Adults 18 and older living in the incorporated city limits of Portland who have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 crisis and who meet the income guidelines are eligible to apply for the CVHAP funding. Every applicant must provide a street address within the incorporated city limits of Portland — verifiable on PortlandMaps.
Can multiple people from the same household apply for CVHAP funding?
Yes. Up to four adults living in the same residence may apply for CVHAP funding. There is a maximum of four recipients per address.
What kind of information is needed to apply for the program?
Applicants are asked to provide the following information:
- Name
- Birthdate
- Phone number
- Email address
- Street address
- Number of people (adults and youth) living in the household
- Plans for how you will use the funding
- Optional demographic information
Note: Applicants will NOT be asked to provide sensitive information such as proof of citizenship, bank information, or social security numbers (SSN).
Where can I apply?
You can apply through this website during the open application window on Thursday, December 10 from 3-6 PM.
How to apply
When will the website be open to accept applications?
The application form will open for a three-hour submission period on Thursday, December 10 from 3-6 PM. The form will be available throughout this three-hour time window to allow all interested applicants enough time to complete the form.
How many total applications will be accepted? How long will the submission window be open?
4,000 applications submitted during the submission window will be accepted to receive CVHAP funding. The applications will be chosen using a random-ordering selection process that includes all eligible applications submitted during the three-hour submission window. Every application submitted within the window has an equal chance of receiving the funding.
Can I submit my application on paper or over the phone?
No. All applications must be submitted online through the PDX Assist application form.
How will I know that my application was submitted correctly?
You must complete all required fields on the application form (marked with a red asterisk “*”) in order to submit. After you click the “Submit” button at the bottom of the form, you will see a confirmation message that your application has been submitted successfully.
If I have questions while completing the application, who should I contact?
Call 503-200-3367 or email info@pdxassist.com for assistance with the application.
Overall Program Questions
How will I know if my application was accepted or denied for the CVHAP funding?
Everyone who submits an application will find out whether they were selected to receive funding by December 30th.
If your application is eligible and selected among the 4,000 randomly chosen recipients, you will receive email notification from info@pdxassist.com by December 30th.
If your street address is outside of incorporated Portland city limits on PortlandMaps, your application will be automatically denied.
Where is the money from and how is it funded?
The CVHAP program is part of a $36 million investment in housing relief measures by the City of Portland and the Portland Housing Bureau in response to COVID-19, including $19.5 million in City funds for rent assistance and $1.6 million in housing stabilization support for low-income BIPOC homeowners. Members of the public seeking rent assistance should call 211.
I am not in Portland but still require assistance; is there another means of applying for similar help close to me?
Call 211 and/or contact your local jurisdiction (i.e. your city’s emergency services or COVID-19 relief office) to seek support.
Call 503-200-3367 or email info@pdxassist.com for assistance.