Housing is the first domino. Without a confirmed address, post-prison supervision (PPS) in Oregon cannot begin, employment cannot start, and benefits cannot be accessed. Oregon's community justice departments and parole officers require an approved address before release is authorized. The housing search begins before the gate opens.
Oregon has one of the strongest private-landlord fair chance housing laws in the country -- SB 291, effective July 1, 2024. Oregon is also the first state in the nation to locate American Job Centers inside all 12 state prisons through the WorkSource Oregon Reentry Program. Housing and employment reentry infrastructure in Oregon are both more developed than most states in this series, though transitional housing remains limited in rural areas.
The Housing Landscape in Oregon
Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC, oregon.gov/doc) supervises Adults in Custody (AICs) across 12 state prisons. Post-prison supervision (PPS) is Oregon's term for supervised release. Supervision is administered at the county level by Community Justice departments. Reentry housing planning occurs in coordination between ODOC facility staff, county Community Justice officers, and community providers.
Oregon DOC's Short-Term Transitional Leave (STTL) program allows eligible AICs to be released up to 30 days early to complete the remainder of their sentence in the community. STTL is for people assessed as presenting low risk to public safety; it is not available to everyone. Contact the ODOC case manager about STTL eligibility.
WorkSource Oregon Reentry Program: Oregon is the first state in the nation to embed American Job Centers (WorkSource Oregon centers) directly inside all 12 state prisons. ODOC prison-based workforce staff begin working with AICs 20 to 180 days before release on employment planning, career mapping, resume development, and interview preparation. Upon release, community-based case managers in every Oregon county provide post-release employment and stabilization support. If your person missed WorkSource Oregon enrollment before release, contact the nearest WorkSource Oregon office after release.
Named Oregon transitional housing providers:
Bridges to Change (bridgestochange.com; 207 7th Ave, Oregon City, OR 97045; 503-723-6653; contact@bridgestochange.com) is a major Portland-area and Clackamas County reentry provider offering transitional housing, case management, and reentry support services for adults leaving prison and jail.
Sponsors, Inc. (sponsorsinc.org; 338 Highway 98 N., Eugene, OR 97402; 541-485-8341; pjsolomon@sponsorsinc.org) provides transitional housing and comprehensive reentry services in Lane County. The men's program (60 to 90 days) prioritizes people releasing from state prison who would otherwise be homeless and are at greatest risk of reengaging with the criminal legal system. The women's program (90 to 120 days) serves female-identifying individuals on correctional supervision releasing from state prison or Lane County Jail. Both programs include case management, drug and alcohol treatment, clothing, identification, bus passes, employment search, and long-term housing assistance. Sponsors' reach-in team begins pre-release contact three to six months before release at DOC facilities. The Sponsors Reentry Resource Center in Eugene provides job development, legal support, life skills, financial training, CBT, mental health and SUD treatment, family counseling, and mentoring. Sponsors also developed The Oaks at 14th, a 54-unit affordable long-term housing project in Eugene.
Stepping Out Ministries (PO Box 12277, Salem, OR 97309; 503-363-2805; info@steppingoutministries.org) provides faith-based transitional housing and support in the Salem area.
Transition Projects (transitionprojects.org; 665 NW Hoyt Street, Portland, OR 97209; 503-280-4700) is the largest provider of shelter and services for homeless single adults in the Portland metropolitan area, including people recently released from incarceration.
Volunteers of America Oregon Men's Residential Center (2318 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Portland, OR 97212; 503-335-8611) provides men's residential reentry services in Portland.
Union Gospel Mission of Salem (ugmsalem.org) provides men's emergency shelter, meals, recovery support, and reentry stabilization in the Salem area.
Oxford Houses operate statewide in Oregon, including multiple Portland locations. Oxford Houses are peer-run, self-supporting, and drug-free; they accept people coming from incarceration and are accessible without a corrections referral.
For federal inmates, the Bureau of Prisons coordinates RRC placement for Oregon federal inmates through BOP RRM Seattle. Federal RRC placement is coordinated by the BOP unit team beginning 17 to 19 months before the projected release date. Under the First Step Act, earned programming credits can result in RRC placement up to 12 months before release. Families do not apply to federal RRCs directly.
Oregon Fair Chance Housing Law (SB 291)
Oregon enacted SB 291, effective July 1, 2024, one of the strongest statewide fair chance housing laws in the country for private rental housing. Key provisions:
Landlords may not consider criminal history that occurred more than 7 years before the application date for felonies (measuring from conviction date or release date, whichever is later). For misdemeanors, the lookback period is 3 years.
Arrest records and charges that did not result in conviction cannot be used in tenant screening.
If a landlord takes adverse action based on criminal history, they must provide a written adverse action notice with the specific reason and must give the applicant an opportunity to respond.
SB 291 applies to most private and subsidized rental housing in Oregon. Confirm the current scope, any exemptions, and any 2024-2025 amendments at publish time.
This law significantly improves Oregon's housing landscape for returning citizens in ways not available in most other states in this series.
Federal Restrictions on Public and Subsidized Housing
Federal law divides criminal history restrictions on federally assisted housing into mandatory lifetime bans and discretionary bans. Both apply in Oregon.
Mandatory lifetime bans apply regardless of which Oregon housing authority is involved:
Anyone subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program is banned from admission to public housing and most HUD-assisted programs. This is federal statute and no Oregon housing authority can waive it.
Anyone convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine on federally assisted property is permanently barred from all HUD-assisted housing.
Certain drug-related convictions carry mandatory restrictions depending on the specific program and conviction type, though PHAs retain some discretion in this category.
Discretionary bans apply to all other criminal history. Oregon PHAs may consider criminal history but are not required to impose blanket denials. HUD guidance from 2016 encourages individualized assessment. Oregon PHAs vary in how broadly they apply discretionary standards. The Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) is administered locally, so the specific policy depends on which Oregon PHA covers the relevant area.
For Families
If anyone in the family lives in public or subsidized housing, this section requires immediate attention before release.
Adding a returning family member with certain criminal convictions to a household in public or HUD-assisted housing can constitute a lease violation and result in termination of the voucher or eviction of the entire household. Families in public housing must contact their specific housing authority before the person comes home. The conversation happens before release, not after.
For private rental housing in Oregon, SB 291 (effective July 1, 2024) provides meaningful protections. Landlords cannot consider felony convictions older than 7 years or misdemeanor convictions older than 3 years, and cannot use arrest records in tenant screening. If denied, the applicant has the right to a written adverse action notice and an opportunity to respond. Families and returning citizens planning a private rental search in Oregon should know these rights before beginning the application process.
What families can do before release:
Contact the housing authority immediately if anyone in the household lives in public or subsidized housing. Get the specific policy before the person arrives.
Contact the ODOC case manager about STTL eligibility and what county Community Justice resources are available in the region of intended release.
For Portland/Clackamas County: contact Bridges to Change (bridgestochange.com; 503-723-6653).
For Eugene/Lane County: contact Sponsors, Inc. (sponsorsinc.org; 541-485-8341) -- Sponsors' reach-in team begins pre-release contact three to six months out.
For Salem: contact Stepping Out Ministries (503-363-2805) and Union Gospel Mission of Salem.
For Portland emergency housing: contact Transition Projects (503-280-4700).
Review SB 291 rights at lasoregon.org before beginning the private rental search -- Oregon's 7-year felony lookback and 3-year misdemeanor lookback are among the most protective in the series.
Call 211 Oregon (dial 211 or 211info.org) for housing referrals and reentry services by county.
Confirm all housing with the assigned community supervision officer. An approved address is required before release.
State Resources
Oregon DOC Reentry (oregon.gov/doc/programs-and-resources): STTL eligibility; county Community Justice reentry coordination; reentry planning begins inside the facility.
WorkSource Oregon Reentry Program (eastcascadesworks.org/worksource-oregon-reentry): American Job Centers in all 12 Oregon DOC prisons; employment planning starting 20-180 days before release; community case managers in every county post-release.
Bridges to Change (bridgestochange.com, Oregon City; 503-723-6653): Portland-area and Clackamas County transitional housing and reentry services.
Sponsors, Inc. (sponsorsinc.org, Eugene; 541-485-8341): Lane County transitional housing; men's and women's programs; reach-in pre-release services; Reentry Resource Center; The Oaks at 14th affordable housing.
Stepping Out Ministries (503-363-2805, Salem): Faith-based transitional housing and support.
Transition Projects (transitionprojects.org, 665 NW Hoyt Street, Portland; 503-280-4700): Largest shelter and homelessness services provider in Portland metro.
Volunteers of America Oregon Men's Residential Center (2318 NE MLK Jr Blvd, Portland; 503-335-8611): Men's residential reentry services.
Union Gospel Mission of Salem (ugmsalem.org): Men's shelter, recovery support, and reentry stabilization in Salem.
Legal Aid Services of Oregon (lasoregon.org): Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income Oregonians including SB 291 fair chance housing guidance, housing rights, and expungement.
211 Oregon (211info.org; dial 211): Free statewide referrals to housing, reentry services, shelter, and emergency assistance by county.
Frequently asked questions
Can a felon get into public housing in Oregon?
It depends on the conviction type and the specific Oregon housing authority. Federal law mandates lifetime bans from HUD-assisted housing for people subject to lifetime sex offender registration and for people convicted of meth production on federally assisted property. Outside those mandatory bans, Oregon PHAs have discretion to consider criminal history but are not required to impose blanket bans. Policies vary across Oregon's housing authorities. Contact the specific PHA in the relevant city or county for their current policy.
What are the federal housing bans for felons?
Two are mandatory everywhere: (1) lifetime sex offender registration bars admission from HUD-assisted housing, and (2) conviction for manufacturing meth on federally assisted property is a permanent bar. Beyond those, PHAs have discretion to consider other criminal history but are not required to impose blanket bans. HUD guidance from 2016 discourages blanket denials and encourages individualized assessments considering the offense, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation.
Can my family lose Section 8 if my person moves in?
Yes. Allowing a person with a disqualifying criminal history to reside in a Section 8 or public housing unit can constitute a lease violation and result in termination of the voucher or eviction of the entire household. Contact the housing authority before the person comes home. Note that Oregon's SB 291 fair chance housing law applies to private and subsidized rental housing; for federal public housing, HUD rules still govern. The conversation with the PHA happens before release, not after.
How does transitional housing work in Oregon?
Oregon DOC does not operate a large state-run halfway house network. Transitional housing flows through county Community Justice departments and nonprofit partners. Key providers: Bridges to Change (bridgestochange.com; Oregon City, Portland area), Sponsors, Inc. (sponsorsinc.org; Eugene/Lane County), Stepping Out Ministries (Salem), Transition Projects (Portland), and Volunteers of America Oregon (Portland). Sponsors, Inc. begins pre-release contact three to six months before release at DOC facilities for Lane County releasees. Oregon DOC's STTL program allows eligible AICs to be released up to 30 days early. For federal inmates, BOP RRM Seattle coordinates RRC placement beginning 17 to 19 months before release; under the First Step Act, programming credits can result in placement up to 12 months before release.
What is Oregon's fair chance housing law?
Oregon's SB 291, effective July 1, 2024, is one of the strongest statewide fair chance housing laws in the country. Key provisions: landlords cannot consider felony convictions older than 7 years (from conviction or release date, whichever is later) or misdemeanor convictions older than 3 years. Arrest records and non-conviction charges cannot be used. If a landlord denies based on criminal history, they must provide written adverse action notice with specific reasons and an opportunity for the applicant to respond. SB 291 applies to most private and subsidized rental housing. Legal Aid Services of Oregon (lasoregon.org) provides free guidance on SB 291 rights. Confirm current scope and any exemptions at publish time.
How does federal RRC placement work in Oregon?
The BOP unit team begins reviewing federal inmates for RRC eligibility 17 to 19 months before the projected release date. BOP RRM Seattle manages Oregon placements. Under the First Step Act, earned programming credits can result in RRC placement up to 12 months before release. Families cannot apply to RRCs directly. The BOP coordinates based on the release plan, community of release, and available beds. Families can help by ensuring the planned release address is clearly documented with the case manager well in advance.
Can landlords in Oregon refuse to rent to ex-felons?
Oregon's SB 291 (effective July 1, 2024) significantly limits when private landlords can use criminal history in tenant screening. Felony convictions older than 7 years and misdemeanor convictions older than 3 years cannot be considered. Arrest records cannot be used. If denied, the applicant has the right to a written adverse action notice and an opportunity to respond. These are among the strongest private-landlord restrictions in this series. Legal Aid Services of Oregon (lasoregon.org) provides free guidance on SB 291 rights. Confirm current scope and exemptions at publish time.
What housing programs help returning citizens in Oregon?
Oregon DOC (oregon.gov/doc) coordinates STTL and county Community Justice reentry. WorkSource Oregon Reentry (eastcascadesworks.org) provides employment support in all 12 prisons and post-release case management in every county. Bridges to Change (bridgestochange.com, 503-723-6653) provides Portland/Clackamas County transitional housing. Sponsors, Inc. (sponsorsinc.org, 541-485-8341) provides Lane County/Eugene transitional housing with pre-release reach-in. Stepping Out Ministries (503-363-2805) serves Salem. Transition Projects (503-280-4700) provides Portland shelter and homelessness services. VOA Oregon (503-335-8611) provides Portland men's residential reentry. 211 Oregon (dial 211) provides county referrals. Legal Aid Services of Oregon (lasoregon.org) provides free housing rights help under SB 291.
How do I find housing before my person is released?
Contact the ODOC case manager about STTL eligibility and county Community Justice resources. For Lane County/Eugene, contact Sponsors, Inc. (541-485-8341) -- pre-release reach-in begins three to six months out. For Portland/Clackamas County, contact Bridges to Change (503-723-6653). For Salem, contact Stepping Out Ministries (503-363-2805). Encourage enrollment in WorkSource Oregon Reentry at the prison. Review Oregon SB 291 fair chance housing rights at lasoregon.org before beginning the private rental search. Call 211 Oregon for county referrals. If the family home is in public housing, contact the PHA immediately. Confirm all housing with the assigned community supervision officer before release.
Do sex offenders face housing limits in Oregon?
Yes. Oregon law imposes residency restrictions on registered sex offenders, prohibiting residence within 1,000 feet of schools and certain other locations where children are present. Many Oregon transitional housing programs will not accept registered sex offenders or have specific conditions. Oregon DOC and county Community Justice supervision conditions for registrants may impose additional restrictions. Families of registrants must work directly with the supervising officer to identify compliant housing well before release. Confirm the current Oregon statute and required distances at publish time. ---