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Emergency Housing Voucher Program Wind Down

The US Department of Housing of Urban Development has notified us that they are ending the Emergency Housing Voucher program.
A graphic of a voucher with a house on it

Background

In 2021, the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) established the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program. The program was created as part of the federal American Rescue Plan Act, a response to the global COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on communities.

EHVs are housing vouchers provided to local public housing authorities, such as the Housing Authority of Washington County (HAWC) in order to assist individuals and families who are homeless, at-risk of homelessness, fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, or were recently homeless or have a high risk of housing instability. As of 2025, HAWC is serving 78 EHV households.

2025 Program Update

HUD notified the nation’s public housing authorities that the Emergency Housing Voucher Program will close in 2026. The Housing Authority of Washington County does not have adequate funding to maintain these vouchers and must comply with the federal government's termination, currently projected for late 2026 to early 2027.

Resident Information

Residents with EHV vouchers received information about this program closure in October 2025. We are committed to ongoing communication and will share updates as we have them. If you have additional questions or want more information, please email [email protected]or call 503-846-4723.

If you would like to share your story of how the EHV program has helped stabilized housing for you and your family, please email [email protected]. We may use your story on social media, our newsletter, or to help advocate for further federal funding.

We also encourage EHV participants to contact their representatives at 202-224-3121 to request that they continue to support funding EHV and other rental assistance programs. Find and contact elected officials on usa.gov.

FAQs

The federal government is not renewing funding for the EHV program.  Without continued funding, HAWC is forced to stop operating the EHV program. Current EHV holders will still receive rental assistance while the current funding allocation lasts. 

No. Your rental assistance will continue until funding runs out. We currently expect funding to run out in late-2026. 

When the EHV program ends you will no longer receive a monthly rental subsidy.  You will be responsible for paying your full rental amount. 

HAWC will be working with you to help you transition out of the program. EHV Households will be added to the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list with a priority preference for new vouchers that become available. At any time you can also apply to any other programs, resources from our department, and /or affordable housing properties listed on our Find a Home, Shelter or Service page.

Program participation is voluntary. You may give up your voucher at any time.  We strongly recommend you continue with your voucher if you still need housing assistance. 

Yes. You can apply to as many of the Department of Housing Service’s programs as you’d like, and you will be considered for whichever ones you qualify for at this time. Note, many of our waitlists are currently closed. 

You will be sent a letter from HAWC stating that you have been placed on the waitlist. 

Please email [email protected] or call 503-846-4723. 

Related

Illustration of homes

Rent Assistance

Information about accessing rent assistance programs in Washington County

Contact(s)