Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance Program

Applicants need to send a request to add a household member to RLRAreferrals@clackamas.us. Complete the provided HH member packet, sign and date all forms. Provide photo identification for all adults and proof of income (including TANF or Child Support). If employed, provide 60 days of most recent consecutive paystubs, those without income must complete a Zero Income form (Must be an RLRA Form).

Note: Adding Minors requires legal custody documents along with Child Custody Letter by HACC- please include any income the child receives.

Income changes must be reported to RLRA within 10-days by emailing RLRAreferrals@clackamas.us. To report zero income, a signed letter by the employer with details including income reduction/loss, dates, and contact information along with a Self-Declaration of Zero Income form must be submitted. For income increases, please submit updated paystubs or Self-Declaration Statement.

Please provide a signed and dated statement detailing income lost, date employment ended, employer contact information, and a Zero-Income Form (must be RLRA document) to the RLRA referrals email.

RLRA will only reschedule an orientation two times. If the participant does not attend on the second attempt, the application will be automatically cancelled.

An active voucher can be extended up to two times. Please submit a signed Voucher Extension Request form a month before the voucher is set to expire to RLRAextensions@clackamas.us 

RLRA was part of a voter’s approved Supportive Housing Services Act in 2020 and will sunset in 2030, unless it is renewed by voters. Additionally, participants must maintain eligibility and abide by the RLRA Policy. The RLRA policy can be located by visiting the Clackamas County website.

Please allow up to 14-HACC Business Days for processing time.

Participants are responsible for paying all utilities stated on their lease. RLRA provides participants with a utility allowance based on their voucher size or unit size (whichever is smaller) and the utility responsibility stated on the lease. Only those without income or very low income will receive monthly utility allowance checks.

Yes, the RFTA must be filled out and all pages submitted at the same time. The first page must include all household members who will be living in the unit. Please ensure any additional household members are added/removed before submitting an RFTA, as failure to do so will delay the process. The second page must be filled out completely, including rental unit information (apartment number, if any), unit type, amenities, utilities (commonly missed section), landlord and owner information, and a signature at the bottom. The third page is the Disclosure of Information on Lead-Based Paint and Lead-Based Paint Hazards, which must be fully completed and signed (another commonly missed signature). Any missing information will delay the RFTA process, additionally a 5-7 HACC business-day processing time should be expected for a response.

The new HACC process mandates that RLRA must request a W-9, an Agent Authorization form, and additional documentation with each RFTA submission, even from established landlords.

Yes, adding or removing a household member will impact the RFTA process. The RFTA will be paused until the process is completed. Additionally, if the voucher size changes the new voucher size will be placed into effect which may impact the unit’s eligibility. If it is a new participant, please email RLRAReferrals@clackamas.us, for current participants email RLRAOccupancyTeam@clackamas.us 

The RFTA processing time varies due to several factors, including unit eligibility, required or missing documentation, discrepancies, and whether the unit passes or fails an inspection. Any one of these factors can delay or pause the RFTA process. The quicker the RLRA team receives the requested documents or information, the faster the turnaround time will be.

If the participant qualifies for a security deposit, an Eligible Costs Disbursement Form must be submitted to RLRA@clackamas.us. The funds will be released once a signed ARA contract is received and processed on the RLRA end.

Participants who qualify include those new to RLRA and current participants whose moves are considered involuntary. Involuntary moves encompass evictions, moves to avoid eviction, non-renewal of lease by landlords, and those covered under VAWA.

RLRA does not issue payments until the RFTA process is complete. Once a unit passes inspection, the participant is permitted to move in and sign a lease. RLRA requests a copy of the lease, screens it for discrepancies, and sends over an Agreement for Rental Assistance Contract (ARA Contract). Once RLRA receives the signed contract, we will issue all payments, including rent, security deposit (if requested), and utility checks. RLRA releases payments at the middle and beginning of each month. Payment will depend on the date the contract is received.

If the notice is due to the landlord not receiving Housing Authority payments, reach out to the RLRA team. Landlords should not issue nonpayment notices due to delayed HAP payments. All prorated payments will be initiated once RLRA receives a signed ARA contract.

The new member must be added first to the lease, through a lease addendum. A copy of the addendum showing the newly added members, along with a photo ID that includes their full name and date of birth, must be submitted to RLRAOccupancyteam@clackamas.us. Once received, the occupancy team will issue RLRA forms requiring details from the new adult, as well as signatures from both the new member, head of household and the landlord. Income verification is also mandatory, which includes the most recent 60 consecutive days of pay stubs, pension, SSI, and other benefits (if applicable). If the individual has no income, a zero-income form must be completed.

Please note that adding minors requires submitting their birth certificates and a child custody form.

To report new income, RLRA requires 60 consecutive days of the most recent paystubs, an employer letter (which can include an offer letter), or a self-certification. The self-certification must detail the employer's name, start date, pay rate/hours, and frequency of pay. It must also be signed and dated. Please submit the necessary documentation to RLRAoccupancyteam@clackamas.us. If the income change leads to an increase in the tenant's rent portion, participants will be provided with a full month's notice.

New income should be reported within 10 days. If your current income has significantly increased, please report it as well. While certain income increase will not be factored into your rent portion until recertification, the RLRA team will document it to prevent discrepancies when reviewing reports from our income screening systems. Failure to report new income in the household may result in a repayment agreement to recover overpaid Housing Assistance Payments.

For participants who would like to move, please submit a request to RLRAOccupancyTeam@clackamas.us. RLRA will determine if the move is voluntary or involuntary, which will help establish if the household qualifies for a security deposit. Participants must attend orientation to receive a new voucher and RFTA. Once an approved RFTA is received, participants must submit a copy of their notice to vacate to the Occupancy Team. RLRA can double-subsidize two units for thirty days to allow participants time to move.

RLRA permits up to two involuntary moves per household. Each move request is individually reviewed, and all involuntary moves will be tracked to ensure compliance with RLRA policies.

Any changes to the household composition or income must be reported within 10 business days.

Participants can move without submitting a reasonable accommodation request. For reasonable accommodations, a disability must be connected to an RLRA policy that hinders the participant. If the reasonable accommodation is to request additional security deposit funds, participants can submit the request to RLRAOccupancyTeam@clackamas.us or HACC@clackamas.us.

For missing utility checks, please reach out to the RLRA Occupancy Team. They will contact HACC accounting to check for any returned checks and confirm if the missing check is outstanding. If the check is outstanding or returned to HACC, RLRA will issue a new check or schedule a time for pick-up. RLRA strongly encourages participants to enroll in the Utility Payee Program (formerly known as Money Management) to reduce the likelihood of lost UA checks and to assist with bill management.

The remaining voucher funds are reserved for future rent increases. This flexibility allows participants to remain in their unit even as rent prices rise.

RLRA participants receive annual letter, and recertification packets every two or three years. Please ensure the packet is fully completed and includes the required income verification documents. RLRA will only accept current benefits or award letters, along with 60 consecutive days of the most recent paystubs. Additionally, the participant's assigned Case Manager must sign the recertification packet. Once completed, please email the packet to RLRARefferals@clackamas.us or deliver it to the Housing Authority of Clackamas County. If the packet is not received by the requested date a reminder letter is sent. Please note: A copy of the annual letter and reminder letter are emailed to the assigned Case Manager.