The City Council spent nearly six and a half hours listening to testimony and discussing a proposed relocation fee.
The ordinance requires landlords to pay tenants a fee for no-cause evictions or if rents are raised more than 10%.
The bill takes effect immediately and sunsets in October along with the city’s housing emergency. Landlords will now be required to pay between $2,900 and $4,500 to tenants, depending on the size of the unit. The fee is based on rental averages city-wide and is intended to cover first and last month’s rent, as well as a security deposit.
The issue was championed by Commissioner Chloe Eudaly, who noted she has been “living and breathing affordable housing rights for tenants for 2 years.”
The ordinance will impact ongoing no-cause evictions and rent hikes. Landlords will have 30 days to either rescind the eviction, lower rent increases or pay the relocation fee. (This will impact tenants of the Normandy Apartments, for example, who received notice of 100% rent increases this week).
Check out the tweets below for an overview of the discussion.
Pro-relocation fee protest happening now outside City Hall. Council to consider issue at 2 p.m. “The rent is too damn high.” pic.twitter.com/GoI1FiQNHb
— Oregon Business (@OregonBusiness) February 2, 2017
“If you’ve come today to conjure the bad tenant boogeyman, please save your breath. I’ve already met him. He’s an anomaly.” @ChloeEudalyPDX pic.twitter.com/NcAEpgcv6R
— Oregon Business (@OregonBusiness) February 2, 2017
“Across the county we’re seeing families … pack up from school to school, district to district, chasing that elusive affordable” @dkafoury
— Oregon Business (@OregonBusiness) February 2, 2017
.@HumanSolutions2 exec. director says no cause evictions most common reason for families entering their shelters. #relocationfee #pdx
— Oregon Business (@OregonBusiness) February 2, 2017
“I’m somewhat on an island but not completely” says Tim Pitts, Think Realty. He brings letters from 20 realtors in support of #relocationfee
— Oregon Business (@OregonBusiness) February 2, 2017
“If you have a better idea that meets the goals of this legislation we’d like to hear it,” @CommishFish asks landlords. 1/2
— Oregon Business (@OregonBusiness) February 2, 2017
2/2 One landlord panelist says this isn’t the right forum for that discussion.
“These kinds of things take time. We need time.” @MultifamNW— Oregon Business (@OregonBusiness) February 2, 2017
“You are not willing to participate in a meaningful discussion about this issue” @ChloeEudalyPDX on why @MultifamNW wasn’t asked for input
— Oregon Business (@OregonBusiness) February 2, 2017
Public testimony begins. 118 people have signed up to speak on the issue. pic.twitter.com/56vLQ71ucS
— Oregon Business (@OregonBusiness) February 2, 2017
Emotions are high at #pdx council meeting as residents of Normandy Apts. testify. Their rent was increased 100% this week. pic.twitter.com/DhFwbqUcj1
— Oregon Business (@OregonBusiness) February 3, 2017
“In my view, this ordinance is a form of preventative medicine,” says spokesperson for Metropolitan Alliance for Common Good
— Oregon Business (@OregonBusiness) February 3, 2017
“This law does not pre-empt landlords from increasing rents,” says Steven Goldberg, attorney from Portland Tenants United.
— Oregon Business (@OregonBusiness) February 3, 2017
Last testimony: “People are dying. That is why everybody who says you’re moving too quickly is out of whack,” says Charles Johnson.
— Oregon Business (@OregonBusiness) February 3, 2017
“This does not provide complete confidence to anyone in this community. But it is a huge step forward.” @tedwheeler
— Oregon Business (@OregonBusiness) February 3, 2017