Will I be evicted if I cannot afford rent?

Under Oregon State Law, there was a ban on evictions for not paying rent until July 1, 2021 if you experienced a loss of income or increased expenses since our COVID-19 state of emergency began on March 16th, 2020. Landlords have been and can continue to evict for other reasons, such as selling the house, moving in, demolishing, repairing, and citing other lease violations. Now, landlords are again able to evict for no-cause reasons, non-payment reasons, and most all other causes banned by COVID-19 moratoriums. The main form of support for tenants who are behind on rent or utility payments is the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program. To apply, please visit https://www.oregonrentalassistance.org/ If you apply for rental assistance and show your landlord proof you applied before the start of eviction court proceedings they cannot evict you for 60 days. The state has also passed a law called SB-282A, which:

1. Gives tenants until February 28, 2022 to repay back-rent.
2. Requires that landlords give tenants at least 10 days before evicting for not paying until February 28, 2022.
3. Aims to prevent tenants from being denied access to housing in the future by:
   • Prohibiting landlords from considering eviction records from the COVID period (April 2020 – February 2022) when screening applicants
   • Prohibiting credit reports for rent debt that has built up during the COVID period so that this does not negatively impact credit scores.
   • Prohibiting landlords from denying applicants based on not paying rent during the COVID period.
4. Prohibits landlords from evicting tenants because they have provided temporary shelter to friends or family during the COVID period and prevent the use of guest visit limitations as a reason for eviction.
5. Increases the amount that landlords have to pay tenants for retaliation claims to up to three months of rent or three times the cost of damages until February 28, 2022. This means that you can sue your landlord if they retaliate by increasing rent, decreasing services, serving an eviction notice, threatening eviction, or filing an eviction case after you:
   • Have made any good faith complaint to the landlord about the tenancy (such as the need for repair or a violation of the rental agreement);
   • Complain to certain code enforcement agencies;
   • Join or organize a tenants’ union;
   • Testify against the landlord in court;
   • Win in an eviction court case against your landlord within the last six months, unless the win was based on a technicality; or
   • Do something or say that you will do something to assert your rights as a tenant under any law

What assistance is there to help me pay rent?

In addition to the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program, assistance is provided through a patchwork of government agencies and nonprofit organizations, but it is not enough and is not accessible to many communities, assistance is provided through a patchwork of government agencies and nonprofit organizations, but it is not enough and is not accessible to many communities. Below are a number of resources that we will continue to update as we receive more information but we cannot guarantee you will access the assistance you need or that the agencies and organizations below will be responsive to your needs. If you know of other assistance options you would like to add to this list please email joe@ecrcommunityprojects.org

If I get evicted and cannot find or afford housing, where can I go?

Currently, there are no guarantees that our houseless community members will find the temporary and permanent housing they need that is safe and dignified. Below are organizations that provide temporary shelters. If you know of housing options you would like to add to this list please email joe@ecrcommunityprojects.org

Who can I call or message that will help answer my questions?

If you are a tenant facing an eviction, experiencing landlord harassment, or have questions about your rights please:

• Call the Community Alliance of Tenant’s Renters Rights Hotline (503-288-0130) between 1pm and 5pm on Monday, Wednesday, Fridays, and Saturdays, or on Tuesdays from 6pm to 8pm.

The protections and assistance we have don’t help enough, what can we do?

Click here to sign the petition to keep Oregonians housed!! Fill out a short questionnaire to help inform the policies community based organizations like East County Rising will advocate for and record a video of yourself and easily send it to lawmakers. Get involved and talk about housing issues with your friends, family, and neighbors, learn more about your rights, and tell lawmakers what they need to hear.