Several candidates have signed a campaign pledge called Renters’ Bill of Rights, an initiative by the Portland chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and the Renters Action Network. The bill includes provisions such as:
- Linking rent to the minimum wage to ensure affordability
- Advocating for local rent control throughout Oregon
- Mandating relocation assistance for rent increases exceeding 5%
- Capping fees for pet rent and late fees
Additionally, the bill requires a six-month notice before rent increases, protects children and education workers from eviction due to late rent during the school year, and shields renters from eviction for late rent during extreme weather events. It also requires code violations to be resolved before rent increases and establishes the right to legal counsel in eviction court.
So far, nine candidates have signed the bill
Candidates who have signed the bill include Sameer Kanal, Chris Olson, Jennifer Park, and Jonathan Tasini in District 2; Tiffany Koyama Lane and Angelita Morillo in District 3; and Jeremy Beausoleil Smith, Mitch Green, and Andra Vltavín in District 4.
“Letting people get pushed out of their homes and their city is a policy choice, and it’s a bad one. Change starts with simple, common-sense protections like keeping school kids and educators in their homes during the school year, or ensuring that unsafe conditions are fixed before a rent increase,” District 3 candidate and pledge signatory Tiffany Koyama Lane posted on Twitter.
Koyama Lane is one of two council candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America. The other is Mitch Green, who has also signed the pledge.
