Actions you and your organization can take calling on the State Legislature to:

  • Extend Oregon’s eviction moratorium
  • Enact a repayment period
  • Provide foreclosure protection
  • Say thanks for E-Board rental assistance

The Legislature will come into session on June 24, so we need your help to call TODAY.

Organizations can also sign on to a national letter calling on Congress to enact critical housing investments and protections.

Extend our Eviction Moratorium!

Oregon Governor Kate Brown enacted a moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent and evictions without a cause until June 30. We know that the impacts of Coronavirus for people who rent their homes has only gotten worse in the last few months. The Housing Alliance is calling on the Legislature to extend the eviction moratorium so more people have a chance to get back to work, to access rent assistance, and prevent a wave of evictions.

Enact a repayment period!

Whenever our eviction moratorium ends, we know that people who rent their homes, particularly people with low incomes, won’t just be able to pay any back rent that was due. They may need more time to access rent assistance, or to save up funds once they are back at work. The Housing Alliance is calling on the Legislature to enact a repayment period for six months, to give folks time to pay back any rent that was due during the moratorium.

Foreclosure Protections

People who rent their homes also need protection against foreclosures during this time. The federal CARES Act offers some protections, but those also will expire on June 30th, and they don’t cover everyone in Oregon. The Housing Alliance is calling on the Legislature to enact basic protections against foreclosure so that homeowners have consistent information and rights during this emergency.

Thanks for E-Board decision to support rental assistance

Take the opportunity to thank Legislators for the Emergency Board’s June 5 decision  to commit Federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to OHCS for: $55 million for rental asssistance, $20 million for operating support to owners of affordable rental housing projects, and supporting the U.S. Treasury to allow $25 million in remaining Hardest Hit funds to be used for foreclosure prevention.

Congress needs to Enact Critical Housing Investments & Protections

While the House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act on May 15 providing $100 billion in emergency rental assistance, the Senate has stalled on taking action. Organizations are encouraged to sign on  to two National Low Income Housing Coalition letters supporting Senate leadership to allow votes.

 

Support Housing Alliance call to action!

The good news:  We know Legislators are considering including an eviction moratorium, the repayment period, and protections for foreclosure, when they meet on June 24.

Why we need your help:  Legislators need to hear from you, their constituents, that these are critical issues to include during the special session. It is most important that you contact your Representative and Senator. It will make the most difference to hear from someone who lives in their district.

Contact your Representative and Senator today! Here are three easy steps:

Step One

Find out who represents you in Oregon! Every Oregonian is represented by a Senator and a Representative. Find who represents you  by looking up your address here: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/FindYourLegislator/leg-districts.html.

Type in your full address in the upper right hand corner, and a box will appear on the screen. In it, you’ll find three tabs. You’ll find out who your State Senator is, and if you click to the next tab, who your State Representative is. Both tabs should have an email and a phone number. Use whichever is more comfortable for you.

If you have a personal story about being a renter or homeowner, and struggling to pay your rent, or being forced to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table, please say a few sentences about that. It’s so important that our lawmakers know what’s happening in our communities.

If you are able to work from home or are an essential worker right now, and are able to pay your bills, share that too, and share how important it is that all of us can stay in our homes.

Step Two

Decide whether you want to call or email. Here is a sample script:

Hi, my name is [your name], and I live in [your town]. I believe every Oregonian deserves a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. Today, too many people who rent their homes across Oregon are struggling to pay rent and put food on the table.

[If you are a renter, and you are struggling to pay rent, please share a sentence or two about what a stable home means to you, and if you’re comfortable, a sentence or two about what’s happening to you and your family. OR – If you have a stable job and are able to pay your bills, share how important it is that all of us can stay in our homes.]

During the special session, please extend the eviction moratorium, enact a repayment period, and enact foreclosure protections. I also appreciate the Emergency Board’s recent decision to support funding for rental assistance.

Having a stable home is so important right now.

Thank you.

BONUS! Social Media!  If you use social media, write a post on social media and tag your Legislators. Ask them to support extending the moratorium and enacting a repayment period, or ask them to support foreclosure protections!

Need help? Want more information? Contact Brian Hoop, Housing Oregon at brian@housingoregon.org or 503-475-6056.