May 4, 2020 9:40 a.m.  
Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have announced that Oregon public housing authorities will receive more than $5.7 million in grants to help with tenant-based rental assistance needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wyden said Oregonians battling multiple economic challenges triggered by the public health crisis need to know there’s support available when they’re staying at home fighting to keep a roof over their heads.
Merkley said while he is glad to get the grants out to help renters during the pandemic, “let’s make no mistake – this problem predates the pandemic and will be with us until we put in place bold solutions that ensure every Oregonian has a decent place they can afford to live”.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, better known as the CARES Act, provided $1.25 billion nationally for tenant-based rental assistance, which funds the housing choice voucher program – including $400 million for increased subsidy costs and $850 million for administrative and other expenses incurred by public housing authorities, according to the release from the senators.
The Housing Authority of Douglas County is set to receive a grant of just over $124,000.