COVID-19 News

May 4, 2020 - Oregon extends COVID-19 State of Emergency to July 6, 2020.

April 30, 2020 - Oregon has a plan to stop the spread of COVID-19

April 23, 2020 - The IRS has cancelled the info session announced 4/22.

April 22, 2020 - To help answer some of your questions about the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, including information regarding your Economic Impact Payments, the IRS has scheduled an informational session for April 23, at 11am Pacific Time. Register here.

April 21, 2020 - The Portland Housing Bureau has reallocated $1 million from its budget into a COVID-19 Emergency Household Stabilization Fund for households suffering a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will provide limited direct cash assistance to at least 2,000 households to help cover urgent needs like groceries, rent, utilities, and medical expenses. HOuseholds can apply beginning 4/27/2020 at 10am.

April 16, 2020 - In order to reduce confusion and continue ensuring people don't lose their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of County Commissioners voted today to align the County's policy with Oregon’s statewide eviction moratorium.

April 15, 2020 - Multnomah County developed talking points based on the Governor’s framework and Western States Pact. Note that these talking points are specific to Multnomah County, but can offer a starting point on aligned messaging across our region.

April 14, 2020 - Governor Brown introduced her framework for Reopening Oregon: a plan to restart public life and business while maintaining healthy Oregon communities. The framework sets specific prerequisites based on science, which Oregon communities must meet to begin reopening, and also outlines the actions Oregon must take to move forward.

April 10, 2020 - HUD grants Public Housing Authorities (PHA), Native American Tribes, and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) waiver authorities as well as ultimate flexibilities to better assist tenants and properties during the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 9, 2020 - The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to extend a declaration of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by 90 days to July 9,2020.

April 8, 2020 - All schools will be closed throughout the remainder of the 2020 school year.

April 2, 2020 - Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is making over $32 million in grants available to communities in Oregon to support a variety of social services and homelessness assistance programs in the face of the coronavirus crisis.

April 2, 2020 - Governor Kate Brown announced launch of Coronavirus Small Business Resource Navigator, which will help connect small businesses to financial support and information they need to stay in business through the COVID-19 crisis.

March 25, 2020 - US Senate unanimously passes $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which includes significant funding for housing agencies to maintain operations and policies to support renters.

March 24, 2020 - Home Forward signs CLPHA letter to Congress, formally requesting $5 billion for the public housing program and $3.5 billion for the housing choice voucher program, in emergency supplemental funds and additional regulatory relief for housing authorities as they work to protect residents and staff during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

March 23, 2020 - Governor Brown issues Executive Order "Stay Home, Save Lives", ordering Oregonians to stay at home, closing specified retail businesses, requiring social distancing measures for other public and private facilities, and imposing requirements for outdoor areas and licensed childcare facilities.

March 22, 2020 - Governor Brown places temporary moratorium on residential evictions for nonpayment, in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

March 17, 2020 - Portland and Mulnomah County jointly impose a moratorium on residential evictions in Multnomah County on the basis of nonpayment of rent due to wage loss resulting from COVID-19. 

March 16, 2020 - Home Forward places a moratorium on evictions for nonpayment of rent due to COVID-19 related income hardship.