As a former landlord, I benefited from my tenant’s rent, which helped pay the mortgage and added to my savings and my retirement. I got to keep the equity; the tenant left with their deposit. If I were to be a landlord again I would embrace the full slate of renters’ protections currently being proposed and gladly pay the relocation assistance fee if I made the business decision to no-cause evict.

Homelessness is increasing, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Upstream solutions are those that keep renters housed or provide them with financial assistance so they can have a fighting chance in an almost impossible renter’s market. That is why relocation assistance is important. Looking forward, Oregon will be a destination for climate refugees, and this will put enormous pressure on the housing market. 

In addition, I’m proposing some additional reforms: A real estate transaction tax levied on purchasers from out of state. This would be earmarked for rent assistance vouchers and to support programs such as Community Supported Shelters, Square One Villages and DevNorthwest that have a proven track record of assisting people off the street and providing the opportunity of affordable home ownership. We need to look at the effect short-term rentals (Airbnb) play in keeping housing out of reach of renters and first-time homebuyers and the impact of out-of-state private equity firms buying up local apartment buildings and homes. Reasonable rent and home ownership belongs to all. 

Eva Chava Kronen

Eugene

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