State to reopen portal for rental assistance
Oregon Housing and Community Services will begin accepting new applications for the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program starting on Wednesday, Jan. 26. The state paused new applications in December due to dwindling funding and the need to make system improvements.
This will be a limited reopening for three to five weeks, depending on availability of money. The agency estimates to have sufficient funding to pay between 6,700-9,300 additional applications. Households with the most need will have priority in accessing these resources, not a first-come, first-served basis.
Tenants who apply on Jan. 26 or after may receive safe harbor protections that prevent landlords from evicting tenants until their application is processed. However, those tenants should expect a delay prior to processing and payment.
Tenants at immediate risk of eviction should apply for rental assistance right away to access safe harbor protections.
Oregon Law Center’s Eviction Defense Project: 888-585-9638 or [email protected]
Oregon State Bar: 503-684-3763 or [email protected]
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■ ‘Polar Plunge’ scheduled: Oregonians have a longstanding and beloved winter tradition of plunging into the frigid waters of the Willamette River to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Oregon athletes. Donning costumes and swimming attire, more than 3,200 supporters will gather across the state this winter to take the Polar Plunge. The event takes place in seven locations throughout the state, including Eugene. Anyone wishing to take part in the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Oregon can register and get the full details at www.PlungeOregon.org.
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■ Ice Cup hockey tournament: The Lane Amateur Hockey Association will be hosting the Ice Cup Tournament for Under-10 and Under-12 teams at the Rink Exchange at Lane Events Center over President’s Day weekend, Feb. 19-21. This is a house-level tournament and “Travel B” teams are welcome. Teams play a minimum four games and there will be half ice, intermediate nets, and 4v4 games for 10U teams. There will also be a skills challenge competition as well as vendors who will have T-shirts, player swag bags and other hockey-related items.
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■ Summit sponsorships available: The Oregon Sport Summit is offered by the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Commission to event planners, leaders of sports organizations, destination marketing organizations, sports venue and facility operators and vendors. This annual full-day conference is April 7, 2022 at the Valley River Inn. Contact Mary Ann Reilly at 541-743-8766 or cell at 760-449-1533.
