OHCS is proud to sponsor MyFreeTaxes.com, free State and Federal tax preparation, presented by the Salem Keizer Community Development Corporation, this Friday at our agency location, the North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St NE, Salem Oregon.

In addition, Cash Oregon provides a comprehensive list of sites around the State where individuals may go to have their State and Federal taxes prepared at no cost. The following link will take you to the Cash Oregon website. The Tax Program tab provides tax sites, Cash Oregon Flyers in English and Spanish as well as answers to frequently asked questions.

The Oregon Homeownership Stabilization Initiative (OHSI) is now accepting Mortgage Payment Assistance Unemployment Program (MPA-U) applications in some counties. Visit the MPA-U page for more information about program timelines and eligibility.

Oregon continues serving record numbers of people through its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP benefits, formerly called food stamps, help bridge the gap for people who earn too little to meet their basic nutrition needs.

In May, 772,675 Oregonians received SNAP benefits, an increase of nine percent from one year ago. Oregon has shown steady growth in SNAP since July 2008 and is expected to peak in 2012.

Oregon Housing and Community Services has added the social media site Twitter to its communication and outreach program. Our goal is to reach all those interested in affordable housing development, homeownership, homelessness prevention and intervention.

Messages on Twitter will include the director's message, notices of upcoming meetings, news releases and technical updates.