Okanogan County’s rent assistance program is currently operational per Proclamation 21-09

Program Information

Rental Assistance

OCCAC offers rental assistance services for families and individuals in Okanogan County who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The goal of our services is to stabilize families and help them find or remain in safe, affordable housing. Once the crisis is stabilized, we strive to help families attain self-sufficiency through ongoing family development.

• Eviction Prevention. OCCAC may be able to assist a household who has received an eviction notice due to non-payment. If you have received an eviction notice and are at risk of becoming homeless, contact us to find out which eviction prevention services may be available to you.
• First Month’s Rent Assistance. Assistance with first month’s rent and security deposit is primarily available to families or individuals transitioning from homelessness to stable housing. If you have located housing but need assistance with the first payment, we may have a program available to assist you.
• Rental Maintenance Assistance. Families eligible for first month’s rent or eviction prevention services may be assessed for rental subsidy assistance for a period greater than one month. Eligibility is based on many criteria, including a family’s or individual’s willingness to commit to, and participate in, an ongoing family development relationship with a Client Services Representative.

Emergency Shelter

OCCAC may be able to assist families or individuals who are experiencing homelessness through motel vouchers.

• Emergency Motel Vouchers. Assistance may be provided if individuals/families meet eligibility requirements and other area resources have been exhausted. Length of stay is short-term and dependent on several factors, including a family’s participation in identifying a solution to establishing stability.

Energy and Utility Assistance

We offer energy assistance programs to low income households with the goal of keeping community residents safe and warm.

• LIHEAP. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists low income homeowners or renters with their heating bills and heating system repair costs. Qualifying households receive benefits of $25 – $1000 toward their primary heat source of wood, pellets, propane, oil, or electric heat. The LIHEAP Program typically runs from November through May, or as funds remain available.
• Project Help. Project Help is a volunteer community service program designed to help Okanogan PUD electrical customers in a time of crisis. Priority is given to customers who are in urgent need of assistance and are ineligible for other federal and emergency assistance. Customers seeking Project Help assistance must meet the following criteria: be facing immediate disconnection of service or have already been disconnected; experiencing a sudden serious illness or death, major hospitalization or an unexpected reduction of income; income must not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income. Residents living within the PUD No. 1 service area are eligible for this program.
• Project Help Deposit Relief. The PUD may be able to guarantee the deposit amount for first time PUD customers for households that: are in the process of occupying a rental unit in the service territory in which the electrical service is solely his/her responsibility; have a clearly identified means of meeting the ongoing costs of the electric service after the occupancy has been established; can demonstrate the lack of required funds to pay all or a portion of the required deposit.

Client Missed Appointment Procedure

Clients who are a no call / show to their first scheduled appointment for rent, utilities, or donated appointments shall be rescheduled to the next available appointment. If a client is a no call / show for their second rescheduled appointment and wishes to reschedule again, they will be asked to submit their supporting documentation before getting another scheduled appointment.

Clients who are a no call / show to their first shelter appointment shall be rescheduled to the next available appointment. Clients who are a no call / show to their rescheduled appointment will be placed back on the shelter waiting list and the next person will get scheduled.