Frequently Asked Questions

Thanks; great question. The answer is yes—absolutely. We appreciate any help you can offer. There are tons of great ways to get involved, such as:

• Volunteer:  Visit our partners at HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley to see our most recent volunteer opportunities. (And while you’re there, we encourage you to check out other great ways to serve your community in Polk, Marion, and Yamhill counties.)
• Donate: You can offer financial support for Polk CDC programs via our website, in person, or over the phone.
• Spread the Word: We may not be able to help you, but you probably know someone we can.  In fact, our number one source of clients is word of mouth.  Help us help your friends, relatives, and neighbors by letting them know about our programs!

As Polk County’s state-designated, non-profit Regional Housing Center, we want Polk County residents to know that there is help available for homeowners facing delinquency and foreclosure.

We here at Polk CDC can help you assess your situation and, if necessary, find you a non-profit foreclosure counselor in the area who can help you determine the best options for you. Visit the Regional Housing Center section of the site or call our Housing Program Manager to find out more.

Talk to us. Polk CDC is not a conventional lender or landlord. We understand that people often face difficult and unexpected issues that can affect their ability to make their payments. While we can’t promise anything, we are willing and eager to try and help you get back on your feet. In fact, that’s part of our mission.

You can fill out the Maintenance Request Form on this site or you can contact your Property Manager. Visit the Housing section of our site to find the contact information for your property. If you continue to have issues after talking to your manager, feel free to contact Polk CDC directly to discuss the problem.

It means that Polk CDC wants to help you improve your rental housing experience and achieve your future goals. Visit the Residents section of our site to find out all about it! Our Resident Services Coordinator would also love to talk to you about what we offer. Feel free to give her a call or send her an email.

West Valley Housing Authority operates the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program in all areas of Polk County outside of Salem. To qualify, family income must be less than 50% of the Area Median Income. If you receive a Section 8 voucher, you can expect to pay about 30% of your monthly income for rent. 

Visit the West Valley Housing Authority’s Section 8 site online or call 503-623-8387 for more information. You can pick up an application at their offices, 204 SW Walnut Avenue in Dallas. The City of Salem Housing Authority provides Section 8 vouchers within the Salem Urban Growth Boundary. Contact 503-588-6368 or visit their website for more information.

In addition, the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (MVWCAA) can sometimes provide temporary (up to twelve months) tenant-based rental assistance for Polk County residents. For more information, contact the Dallas Resource Center at 503-623-8429 or visit their offices at 326 Main Street in Dallas.

Polk CDC welcomes Section 8 and temporary assistance vouchers at its properties, but does not provide any additional rental assistance.

Unfortunately, at this point federal law does not require the bureaus to disclose your credit score as a part of your free report. Be cautious with any site that offers a “free credit score”; there may be hidden fees or a requirement to sign up for another, paid service.

To learn more about credit reports, improving your credit, and other important financial topics, consider taking Polk CDC’s Financial Fitness class. Visit the Classes page for more details.

By federal law, every American is entitled to one free copy of their credit report each year from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).

You can order all three free reports at the same time in order to compare them or you can space the requests out over the course of the year in any way you choose. The ONLY place online that you can get your federally-mandated free report is www.annualcreditreport.com. Other “free” credit reports usually involve hidden fees.

Yes. The Valley Individual Development Account (VIDA) collaborative, of which Polk CDC is a member, offers IDAs for:

• Homeownership
• Post-Secondary Education / Workforce Training
• Small Business Development
• Home Repair or Rehabilitation
• Adaptive Equipment or Technology to Obtain or Maintain Employment

Yes. Our Individual Development Account (IDA) program can help you save for a down payment by matching every $1 that you save with an extra $3—quadrupling your savings!

In addition, we offer Financial Fitness classes and one-on-one credit counseling to help you better manage your personal finances to achieve your goals. Find out more on our Programs page or contact our Housing Program Manager.

Polk CDC’s Housing Rehabilitation Loan program helps current Polk County homeowners make necessary home repairs and modifications by providing low-interest loans. Check out the Commercial & Home Improvements section of our site or contact our Housing Rehabilitation Loan specialist to find out if you might qualify.

Yes again! As Polk County’s Regional Housing Center, we offer classes, counseling, and other resources to help you purchase a home. Find out more on our Regional Housing Center page or contact our Housing Program Manager.

Yes! We currently own and operate over 180 units of high-quality, affordable rental housing in Dallas, Monmouth, and Independence. Visit the Housing section of our site to find out more about our single-family, multi-family, and support housing options.

No. Polk CDC is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. While we frequently partner with local, state, and federal government agencies, we are solely governed by a Board of Directors consisting of seven Polk County residents. To learn more about Polk CDC and its history, please visit the About Us section of the site.