• Low-income families apply for assistance and, if eligible, are placed on a waiting list. The owner's current tenant may be eligible, but must apply and wait for their name to come to the top of the waiting list in order to be assisted.

• Owners with vacant rentals may phone and request to list a unit with the Housing Authority. Eligible families will call the owner or manager directly. Owners may call 503-588-6448 or 503-373-3801 to add vacancies to the list.

• When an applicant family's name comes to the top of the waiting list, eligibility is verified and they are invited to attend a class on the Housing Choice Voucher program and receive a voucher. The family's current dwelling may qualify, or they may want to look for new housing.

• Some families already receiving assistance may need to move to another rental unit. The family is also issued a voucher, which they will bring to the Owner with a set of documents to complete and return to the Housing Authority.

• After the unit passes the Housing Quality Standards inspection and the rent is established, Salem Housing Authority will issue the Owner a contract to sign and return. A completed contract authorizes the first Housing Assistance payments check to the landlord/owner. After the first check, subsequent HAP payments are mailed directly to the Owner the 1st of each month.

The family is responsible to return the specified documents to the Housing Authority.