CITY OF

PORTLAND, OREGON

Ted Wheeler, Mayor
Amanda Fritz, Commissioner
Jo Ann Hardesty, Commissioner
Chloe Eudaly, Commissioner

April 1, 2020

To Our State and Federal Elected Official Partners,
Rent is due today. We are in the early weeks of a public health emergency, facing unprecedented
levels of unemployment, and thousands of people and businesses in Portland who have lost their
incomes are still on the hook for rent.
While local and statewide moratoriums on residential and commercial evictions were a vital step
to stabilize renters, we need further action at the state and federal levels to stem the tide of
evictions, foreclosures, and bankruptcies that will occur without further intervention. Individuals
and businesses whose income or expenses have been substantially impacted by COVID-19 need
forgiveness of all residential and commercial rent and mortgage payments for the duration of this
emergency.
The City and the State have taken necessary action to flatten the growth curve of this pandemic
through “Stay Home, Save Lives” orders, closing businesses, and mandating social distancing.
Thousands of Portlanders have lost their livelihoods and health insurance and are incurring
additional expenses as a result of the crisis, including childcare, grocery delivery, and healthcare
costs.
Since 2015, Portland has been in a declared Housing State of Emergency. Approximately half of
Portland residents are renters. The average low-income, Black, Latino, Native American, Pacific
Islander, senior, single mother, and foreign-born households spend more than a third of their
income on rent. Those who defer rent payments may accumulate significant personal debt and
those who are unable to repay may ultimately face eviction.
Despite the forbearance for federally backed loans, homeowners will continue to accrue
normally scheduled fees, penalties, and interest, which they will still owe with the deferred
payments after the forbearance period is over. Additionally, we have become aware that many
lenders are not offering reasonable repayment plans. According to the Federal Reserve’s most
recent annual survey of the economic well-being of U.S. households, almost 40 percent of
Americans do not have cash on hand to cover an unexpected expense of $4001. Without a
moratorium and forgiveness of residential rent and mortgage payments, we are putting tens of
thousands of Portlanders who currently have housing at risk of becoming destitute or homeless
as a result of this public health crisis.
1

https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/2018-report-economic-well-being-us-households-201905.pdf

 In these long weeks, we have also seen some of Portland's most cherished businesses close, lay
off employees, and warn us of the consequences of inaction. While interventions ranging from
forgivable SBA loans to Portland's Small Business Relief Fund provide a lifeline for
significantly impacted businesses, they are not enough to keep workers employed and insured
and will not be enough to keep many businesses afloat. Portland businesses face rent and
mortgage payments without the operating revenue to pay their expenses and risk financial
collapse. We thank the Governor for her recent executive order announcing a 90-day moratorium
on commercial evictions and urge forgiveness of commercial rent and mortgage payments.
Portland City Council stands in solidarity with renters, homeowners, and business owners
struggling to stay in place during this time of crisis. We hear the concerns raised by so many of
our constituents and call on our fellow elected officials at the state and federal levels to take
action: Forgive all rent and mortgage payments for renters and businesses whose income
or expenses have been substantially impacted by COVID-19.
In Solidarity,

Ted Wheeler
Mayor

Amanda Fritz
Commissioner

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Jo Ann Hardesty
Commissioner

Chloe Eudaly
Commissioner