In my quest to better understand the gaps in our services and systems, I have made multiple site visits and attended many briefings and conferences. While attending Multnomah County’s eviction court, I witnessed the power of the Commons Law Center's Tenant Eviction Defense team. I was amazed at how this severely understaffed team was able to keep people housed with the dwindling rental assistance provided by Multnomah County’s Bienestar de la Familia. But we also have to go farther upstream. It is less costly and less traumatic to help people before they receive an eviction notice. And it is nearly impossible to obtain a lease once you have an eviction notice on your rental history. That’s why I advocated for and received an $8 million allocation in “preventative” rental assistance.
Return to January 2024 Newsletter Welcome
