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Soaring rents in Portland, Oregon lead to more evictions and homelessness Soaring rents in Portland lead to more evictions and homelessness
(about 1 hour later)
A city of bridges, Portland is full of places where people who are homeless can find dry, covered shelter from the Pacific North-west downpour. A city of bridges, Portland is full of places where people who are homeless can find dry, covered shelter from the Pacific north-west downpour.
But lately, Portland is facing a housing crisis of a different sort as shelter for the homeless has become anything but discreet.But lately, Portland is facing a housing crisis of a different sort as shelter for the homeless has become anything but discreet.
New communities of vinyl pop tents and makeshift camps have been popping up everywhere, with many spilling out into city parks.New communities of vinyl pop tents and makeshift camps have been popping up everywhere, with many spilling out into city parks.
Related: Is hip Portland over? How the rent crisis is displacing the city's creative soulRelated: Is hip Portland over? How the rent crisis is displacing the city's creative soul
As a quick fix to address the prevalence of homelessness, Mayor Charlie Hales announced a plan this week to manage “camping” throughout the city for safe sleeping.As a quick fix to address the prevalence of homelessness, Mayor Charlie Hales announced a plan this week to manage “camping” throughout the city for safe sleeping.
Homeless will now be allowed to sleep overnight on sidewalks, with a sleeping bag and a tarp, while tents will be acceptable in certain areas from 9pm to 7am. Up to 10 city-sanctioned campsites with a couple hundred disaster-relief pods will be established through nonprofit service providers. Cars and RVs for homeless to camp in will be permitted in designated areas, such as church parking lots, and at least three or four spaces for more temporary shelter are being located. Homeless people will now be allowed to sleep overnight on sidewalks, with a sleeping bag and a tarp, while tents will be acceptable in certain areas from 9pm to 7am. Up to 10 city-sanctioned campsites with a couple of hundred disaster-relief pods will be established through nonprofit service providers. Cars and RVs for homeless to camp in will be permitted in designated areas, such as church parking lots, and at least three or four spaces for more temporary shelter are being located.
Though largely experimental, the plan has been given a six month trial run. But as a strategy, it’s markedly different from other west coast cities, who have been adopting a strategy of clearing out visible homeless camps in recent years. Though largely experimental, the plan has been given a six-month trial run. But as a strategy, it’s markedly different from other west coast cities, who have been adopting a strategy of clearing out visible homeless camps in recent years.
Meanwhile, in Portland, the figures continue to grow. Between 2011 and 2015, there was a 41% increase in unsheltered women in Portland, and a 48% increase of unsheltered African Americans between 2013 and 2015. According to Transition Projects, Portland’s largest homeless care provider, Oregon is in the top five states with the highest per capita rate of homelessness.Meanwhile, in Portland, the figures continue to grow. Between 2011 and 2015, there was a 41% increase in unsheltered women in Portland, and a 48% increase of unsheltered African Americans between 2013 and 2015. According to Transition Projects, Portland’s largest homeless care provider, Oregon is in the top five states with the highest per capita rate of homelessness.
“There is a direct relationship between increasing rent costs and people experiencing homelessness, many for the first time,” said Stacy Borke, director of Housing Services at Transition Projects. “For some, they were living on a limited, fixed income that allowed them to just get by, and then their rent increased and pushed them over the edge.“There is a direct relationship between increasing rent costs and people experiencing homelessness, many for the first time,” said Stacy Borke, director of Housing Services at Transition Projects. “For some, they were living on a limited, fixed income that allowed them to just get by, and then their rent increased and pushed them over the edge.
Portland saw rents appreciate nearly 15% in 2015 – the highest increase in the nation – with an average rent of $1,689 per month, according to real estate company Zillow. Five years ago, it was around $980.Portland saw rents appreciate nearly 15% in 2015 – the highest increase in the nation – with an average rent of $1,689 per month, according to real estate company Zillow. Five years ago, it was around $980.
And rents are only trending upwards. Zillow is forecasting that Portland will be among the nation’s top six rental appreciations. Apart from Denver and Buffalo, the other cities are all on the west coast: San Francisco, Seattle, and San Jose. And rents are only trending upwards. Zillow is forecasting that Portland will be among the nation’s top six rental appreciations. Apart from Denver and Buffalo, the other cities are all on the west coast: San Francisco, Seattle and San Jose.
The forces driving Portland’s rents are far from few. The city has a less than 3% vacancy rate. Meanwhile, the Portland Housing Bureau said 85% of all rental units currently being built are luxury.The forces driving Portland’s rents are far from few. The city has a less than 3% vacancy rate. Meanwhile, the Portland Housing Bureau said 85% of all rental units currently being built are luxury.
For three years in a row, Oregon has been the number one moving destination in the US, according to a study by United Van Lines, further exhausting already tapped housing.For three years in a row, Oregon has been the number one moving destination in the US, according to a study by United Van Lines, further exhausting already tapped housing.
Landlords, too, are feasting on a favorable market, with no cap on yearly rent increases, and no obligation to provide a reason for evicting a tenant.Landlords, too, are feasting on a favorable market, with no cap on yearly rent increases, and no obligation to provide a reason for evicting a tenant.
“The market conditions have given the landlords a chance to really spike the rents and take advantage, even if they’re not upgrading the unit at all,” said Justin Buri, executive director of the Community Alliance of Tenants (CAT), Oregon’s only statewide tenant-rights organization.“The market conditions have given the landlords a chance to really spike the rents and take advantage, even if they’re not upgrading the unit at all,” said Justin Buri, executive director of the Community Alliance of Tenants (CAT), Oregon’s only statewide tenant-rights organization.
“As wealthier people are moving here, they’re bidding up the price of land, whether through rents or ownerships,” continued Buri.“As wealthier people are moving here, they’re bidding up the price of land, whether through rents or ownerships,” continued Buri.
Portland’s predicament has put two words in everybody’s mouths: San Francisco.Portland’s predicament has put two words in everybody’s mouths: San Francisco.
“In every topic of the housing crisis that we’re experiencing, San Francisco comes up,” said Buri. “Landlords use it to highlight what they perceive as the evils of rent control, and tenants use it to show how the tech industry and inequality has really exacerbated the rental housing crisis.”“In every topic of the housing crisis that we’re experiencing, San Francisco comes up,” said Buri. “Landlords use it to highlight what they perceive as the evils of rent control, and tenants use it to show how the tech industry and inequality has really exacerbated the rental housing crisis.”
Yet even when residents can afford their rent, the fear of eviction is strong.Yet even when residents can afford their rent, the fear of eviction is strong.
“Low-income tenants throughout the state are living in dire, uninhabitable conditions, because they know too often that if they ask for a repair or defend their rights in some way, an eviction or rent increase will not be too far behind,” said Buri.“Low-income tenants throughout the state are living in dire, uninhabitable conditions, because they know too often that if they ask for a repair or defend their rights in some way, an eviction or rent increase will not be too far behind,” said Buri.
Leah Grey, 73, is a Portland native with a disability and a fixed income. She was evicted with no cause from her apartment in East Portland.Her daughter and three grandchildren were recently homeless until last year.Leah Grey, 73, is a Portland native with a disability and a fixed income. She was evicted with no cause from her apartment in East Portland.Her daughter and three grandchildren were recently homeless until last year.
She said no-cause evictions are “destroying our communities and harming our children and families. And it’s not just low-income people, but everybody is affected by this. One meeting I went to was full of middle class people, and they realize they’re in the same boat.” She said no-cause evictions are “destroying our communities and harming our children and families. And it’s not just low-income people, but everybody is affected by this. One meeting I went to was full of middle-class people, and they realize they’re in the same boat.”
But the housing crisis exceeds beyond Portland. Two statewide bills have been proposed this month that deal directly with evictions and affordable housing. If passed, they would slow the pace at which tenants are left houseless across Oregon. But the housing crisis goes beyond Portland. Two statewide bills have been proposed this month that deal directly with evictions and affordable housing. If passed, they would slow the pace at which tenants are left houseless across Oregon.
One bill would increase the notice period for no-cause evictions and rent increases to 90 days. Portland has already instated similar measures. The second would lift the statewide ban on inclusionary zoning, which does not require developers to include affordable units in residential construction.One bill would increase the notice period for no-cause evictions and rent increases to 90 days. Portland has already instated similar measures. The second would lift the statewide ban on inclusionary zoning, which does not require developers to include affordable units in residential construction.
Justin Buri led a group of tenants to Salem, Oregon to testify in support of both housing bills. With him was Stephanie, who declined to offer her last name. On 2 January, she was forced to move from her house in North Portland, which was to be demolished to “build something more luxurious”. Justin Buri led a group of tenants to Salem, Oregon, to testify in support of both housing bills. With him was Stephanie, who declined to offer her last name. On 2 January, she was forced to move from her house in North Portland, which was to be demolished to “build something more luxurious”.
“In the year before I was evicted, my rent went up twice, almost $200. I asked for repairs several times but they were never fixed,” she explained through tears. “My son got sick because of the black mold, we both have asthma … and there were rat holes everywhere.”“In the year before I was evicted, my rent went up twice, almost $200. I asked for repairs several times but they were never fixed,” she explained through tears. “My son got sick because of the black mold, we both have asthma … and there were rat holes everywhere.”
Stephanie has been living in her car since, and one of her kids had to move out of state.Stephanie has been living in her car since, and one of her kids had to move out of state.
In addition to the short-term campsite strategy, the City of Portland and Multnomah County are proposing $30m this year to combat homelessness and provide more affordable housing. If approved, the funds would go into effect in July 2016. In addition to the short-term campsite strategy, the city of Portland and Multnomah County are proposing $30m this year to combat homelessness and provide more affordable housing. If approved, the funds would go into effect in July 2016.