Tenant Groups Want Special Session to Speed Up Distribution of Rental Aid, Pause Evictions

Last Friday The Oregonian ran a front-page expose on the fact that despite the fact that nearly 34,000 Oregonians have requested more than $202 million in rent and utility assistance since May, their requests have been bogged down by a glitchy computer system and overwhelmed state workers. Employees have managed to approve or fund only about 20% of the applications. More than 9,300 applications have been in the system for more than 60 days. Last month the state hired an outside vendor to process up to 8,500 applications in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington Counties. 

Making matters worse is the fact that the federal government's allotted $204 million to Oregon for emergency rental assistance could be clawed back. Effective September 30 it has the right to reclaim funds from states that are unable or unwilling to distribute the money. The Treasury can take money back and reallocate it to states that are successful with their distribution.

In the latest twist, nervous tenant groups are demanding a special legislative session to deal with housing issues. The groups are asking for the re-implementation of an eviction moratorium, and faster distribution of housing funds.

Multifamily NW is also seeking answers to critical questions from the Oregon Housing Stability Council.