COVID-19 Resources

Part of reopening Oregon includes building the capacity of local county health departments to make contact tracing calls to people who may have come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Please visit the OHA’s contact tracing website to learn more about what happens on a contact tracing call.
U.S. updates: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Statewide updates: Oregon Health Authority
Governor Kate Brown’s Executive Orders: Oregon Coronavirus Information and Resources Page
Treated drinking water is safe to consume: Frequently Asked Questions March 2020
Marion County has developed a new Data Dashboard, which tracks additional demographic information about cases in the County.

COVID-19 Mortgage Relief Program

The COVID-19 Mortgage Relief program is now open to assist Oregonians who have fallen behind on their mortgage during the pandemic. Income-qualified homeowners who came past due on their first-lien mortgage after January 1, 2020 and have experienced a financial hardship may qualify for assistance. Homeowners should visit The Oregon Homeownership Stabilization Initiative to learn whether they qualify and how to apply.

COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium

On December 21, 2020 the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 4401 extending the moratorium on residential evictions for nonpayment until June 30, 2021 for tenants who declare a financial hardship due to COVID-19. The bill provides the program framework for $200 million in rental assistance funding included in Senate Bill 5731. The package is the product of a workgroup of advocates, tenant groups, and landlords that met over the last several months. It is intended as a compromise approach to meet the needs of both tenants and landlords, prioritizing smaller landlords and those in greatest financial need.

HB 4401 provides the following:

Extends the eviction moratorium through June 2021 to keep families housed through the school year;
Directs Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) to provide distributions to residential landlords for 80 percent of rent owed after April 1, 2020. Landlords may submit one application to OHCS for back rent owed by all tenants who have given the landlord a signed declaration of financial hardship.
Gives renters more time to pay back rent if their landlord does not access the compensation fund.

Resources are available for both landlords and tenants to better understand the new statewide eviction moratorium and available resources. Tenant resources are available from the Oregon Law Center, including an overview and FAQ document, an explanatory YouTube video, and a sample tenant declaration form. Landlords can visit the Oregon Housing and Community Services website for more information on the Landlord Compensation Fund.

Oregon Rent Relief Due to COVID-19

Starting on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 qualified renters can submit applications to the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP) for funding to pay rent, rent arrears, future rent and certain home utility costs. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until 2022 or until program funds run out.

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) will distribute $204 million to qualified renters who have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 and are at risk of homelessness or housing instability. OHCS is coordinating with 17 community action agencies and one public housing authority across the state.

Every renter who applies will have their application reviewed, and relief resources will be distributed to those who meet the following federal eligibility requirements:

Must have income less than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI);
Must have an individual in the household who has qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due to COVID-19; and
Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability due to past-due rent or utilities.

The Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (MWVCAA) is distributing the funds for Marion and Polk counties. If you need assistance with rent or utilities, please call:

For utility bill assistance, call Energy Services at: 503-588-9016.
For rental assistance, visit MWVCAA's COVID-19 Rent Relief webpage for eligibility, needed documentation, and an online application. You can also call 503-399-9080 (ext. 4003) or email covid.rentrelief@mwvcaa.org to complete an assessment.

City of Silverton Declares a State of Emergency

On March 23, 2020 Mayor Kyle Palmer declared a state of emergency pursuant to Chapter 2.44 of the Silverton Municipal Code. This declaration allows the City additional flexibility in terms of limiting access to public buildings, directing City staff, and delegating resources as well as acquiring needed resources related to health and safety. Under this order the City has done the following:

Enacted a temporary policy beginning March 27, 2020 the City will not disconnect services for non-payment of utility bills. The City will begin charging late fees, monthly interest charges, and administrative fees for delinquent accounts on July 15, 2020.
Temporarily closed all City facilities to the public per Governor Kate Brown’s Executive Order 20-12. City Hall limited opening begins July 7, 2020, see details here.
On July 6, 2020 City Council approved an order requiring face coverings in City owned buildings.
Cancelled all non-essential public meetings.