Housing Programs
Learn about HAJC's Housing Choice Voucher, Family Self-Sufficiency, and Homeownership Voucher programs.
Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8, provides rental assistance to very low-income families throughout Jackson County.
Housing assistance helps make privately owned rental housing more affordable. Participating households generally pay approximately 30% of their monthly income toward rent, while the Housing Authority of Jackson County pays the remaining eligible portion directly to the property owner.
Participants may choose qualifying rental housing in the private market, subject to program requirements and approval.
Housing Voucher Programs
Housing Choice Vouchers
Housing Choice Vouchers provide rental assistance that eligible households may use for qualifying housing in the private rental market.
Project-Based Vouchers
Project-Based Voucher assistance works similarly to the Housing Choice Voucher Program, but the rental assistance is connected to a specific unit within a participating affordable housing development.
Non-Elderly Disabled Vouchers
HAJC has received special-purpose vouchers to serve qualifying non-elderly individuals and families with disabilities who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or living in an institutional setting.
HUD-VASH
HUD-VASH combines rental assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with supportive services provided through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for eligible veterans.
Payment Standards
HAJC payment standards vary by bedroom size and, in some areas, by ZIP code. The following payment standards are effective December 1, 2025.
These standards apply to the balance of Jackson County ZIP codes not listed separately below.
| Bedrooms | Payment Standard |
|---|---|
| 0 | $1,107 |
| 1 | $1,290 |
| 2 | $1,606 |
| 3 | $2,234 |
| 4 | $2,639 |
| Bedrooms | Payment Standard |
|---|---|
| 0 | $1,150 |
| 1 | $1,340 |
| 2 | $1,670 |
| 3 | $2,320 |
| 4 | $2,740 |
| Bedrooms | Payment Standard |
|---|---|
| 0 | $1,113 |
| 1 | $1,316 |
| 2 | $1,637 |
| 3 | $2,438 |
| 4 | $2,761 |
| Bedrooms | Payment Standard |
|---|---|
| 0 | $1,110 |
| 1 | $1,290 |
| 2 | $1,610 |
| 3 | $2,240 |
| 4 | $2,650 |
Portability
A household that has been issued a Housing Choice Voucher may generally use that voucher to lease a qualifying unit anywhere in the United States where a public housing agency operates an HCV Program. This feature is called portability.
Moving Your Voucher to Jackson County
If you currently participate in an HCV Program through another housing agency and want to move your voucher to Jackson County, contact your current housing agency first and request a portability transfer to HAJC.
Moving Your Voucher Out of Jackson County
Current HAJC HCV participants who would like to transfer their assistance to another area should contact their case coordinator.
Participant Resources & Forms
Find frequently requested documents and forms for current Housing Choice Voucher participants.
Information for Landlords
Property owners participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program can find payment information, inspection guidance, forms, and other landlord resources on the Landlords page.
View Landlord ResourcesFraud Reporting
If you suspect someone is fraudulently receiving rental assistance, you may report your concern to the HCV Program Director.
Fraudulent activity may include unreported income, unreported household members, drug use, criminal activity, or violence.
541-779-5785 ext. 1010 · jennifer@hajc.net
Family Self-Sufficiency
The Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) is a voluntary program for Housing Choice Voucher participants. FSS connects participants with personalized support, resources, and financial incentives designed to help them set and achieve goals toward greater independence.
Participation is completely voluntary and does not affect your Housing Choice Voucher assistance.
View the FSS Action PlanLearn About FSS
What is FSS?
¿Qué es FSS?
Support for Your Goals
Case Management
Work one-on-one with an FSS coordinator for goal setting, mentoring, advocacy, needs assessment, crisis support, and connections to community resources.
Program Navigation
Receive help navigating Housing Choice Voucher services, HAJC programs, benefits, and other community resources.
Education & Employment
Participants may work toward goals such as earning a GED or college degree, building job skills, finding employment, or advancing in a career.
Financial Wellness
Build financial skills, reduce debt, improve credit, save toward major purchases, and work toward long-term financial independence.
Participant Benefits & Incentives
Depending on eligibility and available program resources, FSS participants may have access to financial incentives and supportive services that help them make progress toward their goals.
Your Goals, Your Plan
Every participant's goals are different. FSS coordinators work with participants to identify meaningful short- and long-term goals and create a plan for reaching them.
Goals may include improving health and wellness, earning a diploma or college degree, increasing income, paying down debt, improving credit, purchasing a vehicle, finding a new rental, or preparing for homeownership.
FSS Escrow Savings Account
FSS participants may be able to build savings as their earned income increases.
When earned income increases and the household's rent portion also increases, a portion of that rent increase may be deposited into an FSS escrow account.
Participants who successfully complete the program may receive the funds accumulated in their escrow account.
Participant Success Stories
FSS participants have used the program to pursue education, strengthen careers, improve financial stability, achieve recovery, build savings, and move toward homeownership.
Tiffany entered the FSS Program in 2020 with goals that included earning her GED, continuing her recovery, attending college, improving her credit, and finding stable employment.
Over the following years, she completed financial education, earned her GED, completed an Administrative Medical Assistant Certificate, built savings, and launched a career in health care.
Tiffany graduated from FSS with more than $19,500 in escrow savings, released her housing voucher, and became a homeowner in 2025.
Teresa used FSS coaching while returning to school and rebuilding her career. She completed an associate degree in Business Technology with honors and worked with her FSS coordinator to prepare for interviews and return to full-time employment.
During the program, Teresa also made progress reducing credit-card debt and graduated with funds in her FSS escrow account.
Kelly worked with community partners and the FSS Program while pursuing recovery, education, and greater financial independence.
She earned an associate degree, later completed a bachelor's degree in Social Science, purchased a vehicle through the Oregon IDA program, and developed a career supporting others through recovery and advocacy.
Carrie used FSS case management to create short- and long-term goals related to her career, finances, credit, and recovery.
Through the program she was able to return to training, rebuild her career, improve her credit, accumulate savings, and prepare for her next goal of purchasing a home.
Crystal and her husband used FSS to establish employment and career goals while building greater financial stability for their family.
Through their progress in the program, they became debt-free, began rebuilding their credit, and started preparing for future homeownership.
FSS Coordinators
Tia Marten
Tia supports participants through coaching, mentoring, resource advocacy, and connections to community services.
tia@hajc.net · Ext. 1021Eric Janoski
Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator
Eric works with participants to build connection, identify resources, and support progress toward long-term self-sufficiency goals.
eric@hajc.net · Ext. 1016Program Coordinating Committee
The FSS Program Coordinating Committee (PCC) brings together community members, FSS participants, and program coordinators to help guide program policies and support the growth of FSS.
Community partners may include social service agencies, educational institutions, employment and training programs, local government, private businesses, and other interested individuals and organizations.
Homeownership Voucher Program
The Homeownership Voucher Program is a voluntary program available to eligible Family Self-Sufficiency participants, eligible elderly voucher holders, and eligible disability voucher holders.
The program allows qualifying participants to use Housing Choice Voucher assistance toward monthly mortgage payments after successfully purchasing a home.
Interested participants must have successfully rented with a Housing Choice Voucher for at least one year before enrolling. Participants must also complete required homeownership preparation, qualify for financing, and successfully purchase a home before HAJC can begin making subsidy payments on their behalf.
Preparing for Homeownership
Orientation
Participants begin with an orientation to review eligibility and learn the basic Homeownership Voucher Program guidelines.
Housing Counseling
Housing counseling is required and is provided through the ACCESS Housing Resource Center in collaboration with HAJC.
Financial Education
Participants must complete financial and homeownership education, typically through online courses. Course enrollment fees may apply.
Home Purchase
Participants must qualify for a mortgage and successfully purchase an eligible home before HAJC can provide homeownership assistance.
Program Eligibility
Eligibility for the Homeownership Voucher Program includes meeting the following requirements:
Good Standing Requirements
- No lease violations within the previous year.
- No money owed to any Housing Authority.
- No tenant-caused HQS violations within the previous year.
- Willingness and ability to complete the requirements necessary to qualify for a home loan.
Preparing for a Mortgage
Mortgage qualification requirements are established by individual lenders and may vary. Participants should work directly with their lender and housing counselor to understand the requirements that apply to them.
Typical lender considerations may include: