Please find below resources and information from the strategy session Multnomah County held on 1/29 regarding the statewide eviction moratorium. Highlights from the discussion have also been included. The intent of this session was to help providers share information and advise their participants on how to comply with the declaration requirement of the statewide eviction moratorium.
Oregon Eviction Moratorium (House Bill 4401) Resources and Information
Notice of Eviction Protection Declaration (English | Other languages)
Oregon Law Help Housing Protections resource page (multiple languages) | FAQ
Oregon Law Help recorded webinars:
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) landlord & tenant resources
Please contact Patricia Rojas, Deputy Director for the Joint Office of Homeless Services, if you have questions or concerns around distributing information about the moratorium.
Key Takeaways from Becky Straus, Staff Attorney at Oregon Law Center
Tenants need to submit a hardship declaration to their landlord to access the moratorium protections.
One declaration is required per household, and need only be submitted once to trigger the protections of the moratorium.
A landlord cannot require households to submit additional copies, or to submit them monthly.
A landlord cannot prohibit specific methods of delivering the declaration (e.g. by mail, in person, via text or email). Tenants should retain a copy or record of the submitted declaration.
The declaration can be provided to a landlord in any language, as long as it is a direct translation of the English version.
Landlords are required to furnish a blank copy of the declaration form and tenant rights information:
(1) If a landlord chooses to give notice of rent balance owed, like an account statement.
(2) When landlords issue a non-payment termination notice (during the eviction, the required timeframe is 10-day notice, extended from 72-hours)
(3) During a First Appearance Hearing in an eviction court case.
Becky provided additional details on how tenants qualify for the Eviction Protection Declaration, what evictions are legal for landlords to pursue, and other common questions. Review the Oregon Law Help FAQ, find materials on OregonRentersRights.org or in this Google Drive folder (google account required).
What are current strategies being explored for sharing information with tenants?
Agencies are connecting their housed clients with informational materials and a copy of the declaration form. They are also utilizing organization-based communications platforms (e.g. mass text, mass email) and sharing information in reception areas.
Some agencies are conducting door-to-door canvassing in their housing units to let clients know about the moratorium and declaration requirements.
Spanish language radio outreach.
State coordination with Lara Media Services.
Multnomah County Libraries have copies of the declaration form available and can print them upon request.
What strategies or recommended partner networks do providers suggest the County pursue?
Postings on social media platforms (e.g. Twitter, Facebook) in multiple languages.
A rolling text campaign by Multnomah County.
Sample language for providers to share through their text and email networks.
Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization (IRCO)
Faith-based communication networks
Multnomah County Public Health clinics and COVID-19 community testing sites
Univision
Next Steps
The Joint Office of Homeless Services will follow up with the Multnomah County Chair’s Office regarding recommended partner networks and strategies for communication and engagement. Any additional information will be shared in a later communication.
More information about future rent assistance funding opportunities through the City of Portland and the State of Oregon will be provided when available.
If your agency has a statewide presence, please consider connecting with Oregon Law Center to help coordinate communications around the eviction moratorium.
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