Renters in Eugene are being ripped off. We pay exorbitant prices for spaces infested with black mold, filthy common areas and poor insulation. Yet the landlords collect their checks every month without fail. Renting property has become a completely risk-free investment. It’s time to change that.
I pay more in rent than my parents ever did for the duration of their mortgage. By the time they were my age, they were already five years into their mortgage. Yet, property ownership is a far-off fantasy for me and my peers. I’ve paid nearly $100,000 in my short adult life to landlords, but still, I own nothing, and my credit is poor. Without a miracle, I’ll continue this path.
I have never rented an apartment that was cleaned when I moved in, never left a mess in my apartment after my lease, but yet never received my damage deposit back. I’ve never violated the terms of my lease, but I’ve always been forced to vacate at the end with no option for renewal.
What do landlords actually do? What purpose do they serve in a democratic society?
Renters of Eugene need greater protection. We need to organize ourselves into a collective force based on our shared class interests. The City Council needs to pass measures, such as capping application fees to $10, eliminating damage deposits, and holding criminally negligent landlords accountable. Renters are the backbone of society. Without the work of renters, Eugene cannot function.
Alex Rau
Eugene
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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