Waitlists and Eligibility
Home Forward will begin accepting applications for Meadowlark Place and three additional properties starting Tuesday, September 9 at 9:00 a.m. through Monday, September 21 at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time).
WAITLIST UPDATE: Home Forward is now contacting people who applied for the Housing Choice Voucher waitlist and/or a Property-based waitlist. The notice will say if your household was randomly selected for one or more waitlists.
How we’re contacting you: We’re sending notices by email and regular mail to the address you used when you applied. We’re sending notices all week.
What you should do:
- Check your email (emails will come from donotreply@homeforward.org)
- Check your mailbox
- Look for your notice in the coming days
If you applied online and have access to your Home Forward Rent Café account, you can view your notice online. Go to https://connect.homeforward.org
Important: Whether you were selected for a waitlist or not, it is important to keep your information updated in Rent Café. This is so we can contact you about your waitlist status or upcoming waitlist openings/vacancies. Here are resources to help you:
Emails from Home Forward with your letter will look like this:
Have questions? Read these FAQs (PDF) or leave a voicemail at 503-415-8000 and someone will reach out to you. Please include your first and last name, if you applied to the HCV WL or Property Based, and the best way to contact you. It will take to time to return messages.
About the Waitlist and Eligibility
What is the property-based waitlist?
A property-based waitlist is for rent assistance that is tied to a specific Home Forward community instead of an individual. To get this support, you must live at that property. These vouchers cannot be moved to another place. Home Forward will accept applications for 4 property-based waitlists. You can apply for one or more of these waitlists.
Home Forward will randomly pick enough applicants to fill spots for the next three years, based on the number of people waiting, how often units become available, and other factors. Individuals are selected off the waitlist as units become vacant. Once chosen, they must pass an eligibility screening.
Properties with Open Waitlists Which Waitlists Are Opening?
Properties:
- Meadowlark Place
- Hollywood East, Studio, Senior/Disabled Designated Property
- Medalion, 1 bedroom, Senior/Disabled Designated Property
- Dahlke Manor, 1 bedroom, Senior/Disabled Designated Property
Meadowlark Place fka Peaceful Villa:
Meadowlark Place is in Southeast Portland and leasing expected to begin in 2027. A portion of the apartments have been reserved for former Peaceful Villa residents who chose to return. There are also units that will be direct referrals from our service provider
Senior/Disabled Designated Properties:
The head or co-head must be 55 years old or older or have a disability that can be verified by a qualified professional to be eligible for these properties
Am I eligible?
Anyone can apply, but you must still qualify if a vacancy opens up. If you think you might qualify, go ahead and apply! To qualify:
- Your household must earn less than 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI). See income guidelines section below.
- The head of the household must be at least 18 years old or an emancipated minor.
- At least one person in the household must be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status.
- Everyone must agree to a criminal background check.
Are Applications First-Come, First-Served?
The application is not first-come, first-served—once someone applies, they will be entered into the lottery with an equal chance of being selected for the waiting lists. The waitlists do not guarantee rental assistance or housing placement.
How Do I Apply?
- The application will open online at homeforward.org/waitlists on September 9th 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time and remain open through Monday, September 21 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.
- Every qualified applicant who applies during the application period has the same chance in the lottery.
- We have extended the application period to two weeks to allow us to follow up with you if you experience any technical issues.
- Create an account in Rent Café. You can save time and ensure a smooth process by creating an account in the application portal (Rent Café) before the application window opens. A link will be added to the website when you can begin doing this.
- Do you have a Rent Café account? Great! You can use the email address you used to create your account. If you have not logged in recently the process is now passwordless.
- Prepare your application: Have your documents ready when the application opens. You will need dates of birth for all household members, along with social security numbers or other identification, Read the Application Guide for more information.
- Tip: When the application period opens on September 9th. There will be high website traffic during the first days of the applicant period, consider applying later in the week.
Always provide true, complete, and accurate information on your application forms.
For all Home Forward programs, we verify eligibility, which could include income calculation, reference checks, and background screening.
Screening and eligibility criteria at properties managed by Home Forward, where Home Forward is the landlord, may vary significantly from private landlords.
Approved Medical Priority
Waitlists for Housing Choice Voucher and apartment communities are always open for anyone who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and life expectancy of less than 12 months. They will be served with priority after completing Priority Verification Due to Health form with a medical provider.
The waitlist for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible apartments at communities managed by Home Forward are available for people who require those apartment features, after completing Priority Verification ADA form with a medical provider.
Some Home Forward housing communities are reserved for seniors and people with disabilities and may also have apartments with physical accommodations for accessibility.
Need Assistance?
Live Support
Call us at 503-415-8050, Monday- Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. during the open application period.
View our Frequently Asked Questions
Self-Help Resources
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