Public Housing
SHA has 58 Public Housing townhomes (2 story units with stairs) and homes throughout the Salem area.
Who is eligible?
Public housing is limited to households at or below the 80% income limit (see the chart below). The Public Housing Admissions and Continuing Occupancy Policy (ACOP) contains all eligibility information, including criminal history criteria (beginning on page 56) and how income is calculated.
Occupancy Requirements
Security Deposit: $350
Pet Deposit: $300 (Pets are subject to approval.)
Tenant-Paid Utilities: Electricity (PGE or Salem Electric), Gas (Northwest Natural Gas), and Water/Sewer (City of Salem). Scattered site homes additionally pay for garbage collection. Clients must be able to transfer utility services in their name. If you owe money, balances must be paid in full prior to lease signing.
SHA Public Housing units are 2, 3, 4, and 5 bedrooms. Households must also meet Occupancy Standards:
Waiting List Applications
There is one waiting list for both of the townhome complexes (shown on map below). There is one waiting list for all 87 of the scattered site homes. Units are offered in order of vacancy at time of eligibility determination.
Remember to keep your address updated with SHA while you are on a waiting list application. You will be contacted by mail when your name comes to the top of the waiting list. If SHA's correspondence to you is returned by the US Postal Service, you will be removed from all waiting lists you are on.
The current estimated wait time is 18 - 24 months for 3 bedroom units and 4 - 5 years for 4 & 5 bedroom units, from the date of application. Estimated wait times may change at any time depending on funding, vacancy rates, and market conditions. SHA does not provide applicants their waiting list position and is not able tell you how long your wait will be.
The Public Housing waiting lists are maintained by bedroom size.
Equal Housing Opportunity &
Accessible Housing Opportunity