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Extraordinary housing markets throughout Oregon have been of great benefit to owners over the last several years. But, as in-migration of new residents with well-paying jobs has increased, rents have risen because supply of new housing units has not kept up with demand. Over the past few years, state and local governments have been oblivious to this basic tenant of economics and have continued to enforce strict land use laws, urban growth boundaries, low density ordinances and other policies (like huge system development charges) which disincentivize the construction of new housing supply.
| Absent sufficient landlord push-back, radical tenant groups seek to persuade our legislators to enact rapid-fire changes to our housing laws like rent control, prohibition of "no-cause" rental terminations, and long rent increase notice periods. |
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Although government has been asleep at the switch, tenant advocacy groups have not. They have been keenly aware of the upward pressures on rents and wish to persuade legislators to enact New York City, San Francisco and Seattle style demand side approaches which will provide them short term relief and political points but ultimately only exacerbate the problem.
Absent sufficient landlord push-back, radical tenant groups seek to persuade our legislators to enact rapid-fire changes to our housing laws like rent control, prohibition of "no-cause" rental terminations, and long rent increase notice periods. These radical groups already have the ear of House Speaker Tina Kotek and many members of her caucus. Last session's changes requiring no rent increases for one year, 90 day notice periods, and other restrictions are just the beginning of their wish list. Now they are gunning for a ban on no-cause terminations and repeal of Oregon's current prohibition on local rent control.
Multifamily owners, developers and builders must work together to stop additional changes to our laws which are based on one-sided anecdotal information rather than facts and that seek to turn us into another San Francisco.
This is why a coalition of landlord groups around the state have founded the Equitable Housing Political Action Committee. Our first goal is to raise significant funds to provide support for legislative candidates who see things our way. The funds raised by the committee will be used to support key members and candidates who can win and who realize that the radical changes proposed are foolhardy as they will only disrupt the market and produce absurd and harmful results for everyone.
May we count on you to contribute to this important cause? Assuming we can stop these radical proposals by supporting members who believe as we do, the contribution will be well worth the alternative.
In addition to our PAC, our coalition has:
- Changed governance of the state Landlord/Tenant coalition from a single "chair" to "co-chairs" consisting of both a tenant representative and a landlord representative. The organization was previously led by a tenant chair. The landlord representative is attorney John DiLorenzo.
- Hired professional lobbyists
- Developed a legislative plan and legal strategy
- Laid the groundwork for a public relations program
One of our coalition members will be contacting you within the next several days to discuss how you can best help our cause and influence your destiny as an owner of multifamily property.
If you prefer, you may also mail a check made out to the Equitable Housing PAC at the address below:
Equitable Housing PAC
PO Box 42307
Portland OR 97242
Thank you for contributing to this important effort.
Note: Contributions are not deductible for federal or state income tax purposes but do qualify for Oregon's Political Tax Credit.
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