Salem Section 8 Calculator — Marion County and Polk County Income Limits & Rent Estimate

Housing Authority Serving Salem

• Agency: Housing Authority of the City of Salem (HACS) / Salem Housing Authority
• Jurisdiction: Salem & portions of Marion County, OR
• Waiting list status: Opens periodically — monitor cityofsalem.net/Housing-Authority
• Application portal: cityofsalem.net/Housing-Authority
• Main office: 360 Church St SE, Salem, OR 97301
• Phone: (503) 588-6368

Salem is Oregon’s state capital and the seat of Marion County, situated in the heart of the fertile Willamette Valley between Portland and Eugene. With a population approaching 180,000, Salem serves as a major employment center for state government, healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing. The city’s housing market has experienced significant rent growth over the past decade, driven by in-migration from Portland and the broader Pacific Northwest housing crunch, making rental assistance increasingly critical for low- and moderate-income Salem residents. The Housing Authority of the City of Salem (HACS) is the primary administrator of Housing Choice Vouchers for Salem, managing a program that serves families, seniors, and persons with disabilities across the city and select portions of Marion County.

HACS operates several public housing communities in addition to its tenant-based voucher program, providing multiple pathways to subsidized housing. The agency works closely with the City of Salem’s Community Development Division, Chemeketa Community College, local nonprofits including Center 50+ and Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, and other social service providers to connect voucher holders with employment training, childcare, and supportive services that improve long-term housing stability.

Income Limits & Fair Market Rent in Marion County

Marion County falls within the Salem, OR HUD Metropolitan Statistical Area, a mid-sized Oregon metro whose income levels and housing costs are notably more moderate than Portland. The 2026 Area Median Income for the Salem MSA is approximately $84,000 for a family of four. Eligibility thresholds:

Household Size	30% AMI (Extremely Low)	50% AMI (Very Low)	80% AMI (Low)
1 person	$20,900	$34,850	$55,750
2 persons	$23,900	$39,850	$63,700
4 persons	$29,850	$49,750	$79,600
6 persons	$35,800	$59,700	$95,500

HUD’s 2026 Fair Market Rents for the Salem, OR MSA are approximately: Studio $1,050 · 1BR $1,200 · 2BR $1,550 · 3BR $2,100 · 4BR $2,400. Compared to Oregon’s larger metropolitan areas, Salem’s FMRs are considerably lower, which means voucher holders can often find two- and three-bedroom units within payment standard across a wide range of Salem neighborhoods. The south Salem and east Salem corridors along Lancaster Drive and Commercial Street SE typically have the highest concentration of rental units, many of which fall within HACS payment standards.

Run your Salem rent estimate →

How to Apply for Section 8 in Salem

1. Check the HACS website and call the office — Visit cityofsalem.net/Housing-Authority and call (503) 588-6368 to confirm current waiting list status and ask when the next opening is anticipated.
2. Gather required documentation — Photo ID for all adults, Social Security cards or numbers for all household members, recent pay stubs or benefit award letters for all income, and birth certificates or enrollment records for children.
3. Also apply to Oregon Housing and Community Services programs — OHCS at oregon.gov/ohcs administers state-funded rental assistance and emergency housing programs that may be available while you wait for a federal HCV voucher.
4. Submit your application promptly when the list opens — Apply online or in person at the HACS office as early as possible in the enrollment window. Record your application number.
5. Update HACS with any contact changes — Address and phone number updates must be submitted in writing or in person. Failure to update can result in removal from the waiting list.
6. Attend your eligibility interview fully prepared — When your name is reached, bring originals of all required documents. Once approved, HACS provides a voucher with a search deadline of typically 60–90 days to find an eligible rental unit.

Waiting List Tips for Salem

• Ask about public housing units: HACS manages public housing developments in Salem that may have separate waiting lists. Being open to public housing can result in faster placement than the tenant-based HCV list.
• Contact Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency: This local nonprofit provides emergency rental assistance, housing case management, and referrals that can support you while waiting for a voucher.
• Explore Oregon’s Emergency Rental Assistance programs: OHCS periodically operates statewide rental assistance programs funded by federal grants. These can cover arrearages and short-term needs while a HCV application is pending.
• Dial 2-1-1: Oregon’s 211 system connects callers in Marion County to local housing resources, emergency assistance, and case managers specializing in housing stability.
• Consider Polk County options: If you are open to living in the Salem–Keizer corridor within Polk County (Keizer, Dallas), there may be additional housing authority resources available through the Polk County housing office.