January 13, 2023 4:00 a.m.

Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have announced that 6 Oregon counties will receive 80 vouchers from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to fund permanent affordable housing assistance to Oregonians with extreme mental health concerns and disabilities.

Wyden said as the weather continues to be wet and cold, He is gratified to see more Oregonians get a roof overhead. Wyden said, “Housing is a basic human need. These permanent housing vouchers are critical to ensuring that more Oregonians living with mental illness and/or disabilities gain access to a stable, safe place to call home”.

Merkley said, “These critical federal housing investments will help Oregonians with disabilities access affordable and safe housing across our state”.

A release said this assistance will go to assist non-elderly people with disabilities who are transitioning out of institutional or other isolated settings, are at serious risk of institutionalization, are homeless, or are otherwise without stable housing.

Fund are being allocated to these organizations:

*Klamath Housing Authority: 10 vouchers, $44,089

*Housing Authority of Lincoln County: 10 vouchers, $64,068

*Housing Authority of Lane County: 30 vouchers, $237,654

*Housing Authority of Clackamas County: 30 vouchers, $361,166

*Housing Authority of Washington County: $89,000 for extraordinary administrative fees

*Housing Authority of Yamhill County: $108,000 for extraordinary administrative fees