Why Advocates Blame Oregon’s New Health Authority Housing Program for Rising Evictions

Concerns Rise Over Oregon Health Authority’s Housing Program

Low-income families in the Portland area are facing new challenges as they navigate the Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) housing support program. Intended to prevent homelessness and improve health outcomes, this program has quickly turned into a bureaucratic hurdle for many.

When it launched in November 2024, the program aimed to provide crucial housing assistance. However, in just six months, advocates report widespread issues. Solara Salazar, head of Cielo Treatment Center, emphasized that social workers "encountered an administrative collapse" while trying to assist those in need.

Program Struggles

Initial enthusiasm has faded. Instead of solutions, many families are losing their homes. The OHA oversees care for over 1.4 million low-income individuals, but it’s currently under federal scrutiny with rising costs and potential funding cuts. This turmoil is compounded by new restrictions that may limit access to care.

Despite the challenges, an OHA spokesperson clarified that this temporary assistance is for individuals with complex health issues facing short-term payment disruptions—not a guaranteed eviction prevention resource. This distinction has left many in distress, particularly since prior supportive housing programs had been abruptly discontinued.

A Growing Crisis

CareOregon, responsible for managing much of the program, admitted to significant gaps in infrastructure that have made it difficult to meet urgent needs. “It’s heartbreaking,” their representative stated, acknowledging the vital role of reliable housing in health care access.

Recent statistics highlight the scale of the issue. The state ombuds office recorded 81 complaints related to the housing program in just the first three months of 2025. By March, they had investigated 65 cases, revealing that many individuals lost housing even after receiving approval for assistance. This troubling trend indicates that the real number of affected individuals might be even higher.

The Road Ahead

Health officials are promising to improve the program. They plan to clarify rules and increase the number of available housing providers. Yet the questions remain: Can they move fast enough to prevent further evictions? Will they be able to streamline the application process, which Salazar claims has ballooned from six pages to “50 to 90 pages of documentation” that often ends in frustration?

As discussions continue, it’s clear that the housing assistance program requires urgent attention to truly serve its purpose. Reliable housing is not just a necessity; it is foundational to health and well-being.

For more detailed insights on health and housing programs in Oregon, visit The Lund Report.

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