Landlord Handbook

• Families are awarded a Housing Choice Voucher, permitting them to find suitable housing of their choice from private market and non-profit landlords.


• Home Forward pays a set amount, directly to the landlord, and the renter pays the difference.


• Other than expecting a portion of the rent regularly each month from Home Forward, you have the same type of renter-landlord relationship that you have with non-Section 8 renters.


• The Section 8 program annually contributes over $50 million in rents to Multnomah County. Over 2,600 landlords and nearly 9,400 households currently participate.

• You can collect market rate rents, and apply reasonable rent increases.


• You may require reasonable security deposits and late fees.


• You are able to effectively screen and select tenants.  If known, Home Forward can provide information about prospective tenants’ current and prior addresses and their landlords information upon request.


• Strict renter responsibilities are defined in the lease addendum.


• You will experience low tenant turnover, as high tenant demand promotes full occupancy and longevity.


• You have the discretion to not renew a tenant’s lease when it expires.


• Home Forward conducts annual or biennial inspections of the apartment.


• On-time direct-deposit payments from Home Forward increase your rent security.


• You will receive guaranteed, on-time payment of rent, even when the tenant experiences financial hardship such as job loss or catastrophic event.

• Home Forward pays more towards a tenant’s rent in in areas with higher market rents, known as areas of opportunity .

• The maximum subsidy we can provide is called a payment standard.  We base our payment standards on market rates within nine neighborhoods defined by zip codes. For example, the maximum subsidy for a two-bedroom apartment in outer southeast Portland is $832, while the subsidy for a two-bedroom apartment in downtown or northwest Portland is up to $1,114.

• Payment standards do not restrict landlord rents.  Landlord rents have to be reasonable compared to rents for similar units in the same market area.

• If you have not worked with Home Forward in the last 24 month, you will earn a one-time $200 incentive when you rent to a voucher-holder.


• You will receive the payment automatically when we receive your signed agreement with us for that tenant.

Effective July 1, 2014, the State of Oregon provides a type of “insurance” policy for landlords who rent to Section 8 voucher holders called the Housing Choice Landlord Guarantee Program, administered by the Oregon Housing and Community Services department.

• Pay the tenant share of the rent to the owner in a timely and consistent manner


• Meet all the conditions of the lease


• Pay a security deposit


• Permit reasonable inspections by Home Forward and by the property owner


• Give Home Forward notice of any change in income, household size, or intent to move as per HUD regulations


• Cooperate with Home Forward’s review of income


• Refrain from criminal activity

• peeling or flaking paint


• unsafe or rotted porches


• cracked or broken windows


• leaks


• improper flue ventilation on hot water tank


• weak or broken floor boards


• extension cord outlets


• exposed plumbing


• missing electrical outlet covers or switch plates


• inoperable smoke detectors

• Periodic Landlord Trainings, covering topics like Oregon landlord/tenant law, Section 8 procedures, unit maintenance, lead-based paint issues, etc.


• Compliance Investigation to ensure a fair program for everyone. We actively investigate reports of program abuse. If you have a reasonable assumption of program abuse, call our investigation hotline at (503) 802-8571.