Policy Deep Dive

Housing Justice for Oregon

No one understands housing like someone who has been homeless. Rabbi Fora's plan to end Oregon's housing crisis and guarantee shelter as a human right.

Oregon's Housing Crisis by the Numbers

Oregon faces one of the worst housing crises in the nation. Thousands of our neighbors sleep outside every night while rents continue to skyrocket beyond what working families can afford. This is not just a policy failure. It's a moral emergency.

20,000+
Oregonians experiencing homelessness on any given night[3]
50%+
Oregon renters are cost-burdened (paying over 30% of income on rent)[4]
$1,629
Average rent for a one-bedroom in Portland[2]

Rabbi Fora has personally experienced housing instability since age 17. She knows what it means to worry about where you'll sleep, to face an eviction notice, to be one paycheck away from losing everything. That lived experience drives her commitment to structural solutions, not band-aids.

Housing First: The Only Solution That Works

Housing First is not a slogan. It's a proven, evidence-based approach that has dramatically reduced homelessness wherever it has been properly implemented. The principle is simple: give people stable housing first, then address other challenges like mental health, addiction, or employment.

"Housing is a human right, not a market commodity. As long as the floor of that market is no house, we will continue to have homelessness."

Rabbi Fora

What Housing First Means for Oregon:

  • Immediate Shelter Access

    No more waitlists, no more barriers. Anyone experiencing homelessness will have access to safe shelter immediately.

  • Permanent Supportive Housing

    Massive investment in permanent housing with on-site support services for those who need them.

  • No Preconditions

    Sobriety, employment, or participation in programs will never be required to access housing. Housing is a human right, not a reward.

Real Rent Control for Oregon

Oregon's current rent control law (SB 608) is better than nothing, but it's not enough. Landlords can still raise rents by 7% plus inflation (capped at 10% maximum) annually[1], which still outpaces wage growth for many workers. And the state ban on local rent control (ORS 91.225) prevents cities from passing stronger protections.

Rabbi Fora's Rent Control Reform:

Repeal ORS 91.225

Allow cities and counties to pass their own rent stabilization measures tailored to local needs. Portland, Eugene, and Bend shouldn't be limited by Salem.

Tie Rent to Inflation

Cap annual rent increases at the rate of inflation, not inflation plus 10%. If wages don't grow by 10%, neither should rent.

Close Loopholes

End exemptions that allow unlimited rent increases on newer buildings and after tenant turnover.

Enforcement with Teeth

Create a state enforcement mechanism with real penalties for landlords who violate rent control laws.

A Renter's Bill of Rights

Eviction is the leading cause of homelessness. Once a family is evicted, the cascading consequences (damaged credit, lost belongings, disrupted schooling, job loss) can take years to overcome. Prevention is cheaper and more humane than emergency response.

Comprehensive Tenant Protections:

  • Four-Year Eviction Moratorium

    An immediate moratorium on no-cause evictions to stabilize communities and give families security.

  • Just Cause Eviction Statewide

    Landlords must have a legitimate reason to evict, and poverty will not be one. We will redefine non-payment to specify willful refusal to pay. Eviction-able lease violations will be limited to violations of safety for neighbors, direct damage of property, and exclude minor violations like noise or aesthetic requirements. No-cause evictions will cease on day 1.

  • Right to Counsel

    Guarantee legal representation for all tenants facing eviction. Landlords have lawyers; tenants should too.

  • Relocation Assistance

    When evictions do occur, require landlords to provide relocation assistance equal to three months' rent.

Tenant Ownership & Community Land

The ultimate solution to housing instability is giving tenants ownership and control. When communities own their housing, they're protected from speculation, displacement, and corporate landlords.

State-Backed Tenant Co-ops

Provide financing and technical assistance for tenants to purchase their buildings collectively and convert them to cooperatives.

Right of First Refusal

When a landlord sells, longtime tenants get the first opportunity to purchase their home at fair market value.

Community Land Trusts

Invest in community land trusts that remove land from the speculative market permanently, ensuring affordable housing for generations.

Social Housing Development

Build publicly-owned, permanently affordable housing that serves all income levels, not just the poorest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Won't rent control reduce housing supply?

This is a common myth pushed by real estate interests. Research shows that rent control's impact on supply is minimal when properly designed, and the stability it provides to existing tenants far outweighs any marginal effects. We also pair rent control with aggressive new construction incentives.

How will you fund Housing First?

Through progressive tax reform that asks the wealthiest Oregonians to pay their fair share, closing corporate tax loopholes, and redirecting funds currently spent on ineffective emergency responses. Studies show Housing First actually saves money compared to the costs of homelessness (emergency rooms, jails, shelters).

What about small landlords?

Our policies distinguish between small property owners and corporate landlords. Mom-and-pop landlords with a small number of units will have access to support programs, and our rent stabilization measures are designed to allow fair returns while preventing exploitation.

Questions or Feedback?

Have questions about Rabbi Fora's housing policy? Want to share your thoughts? We'd love to hear from you.

Join the Fight for Housing Justice

Housing is a human right, not a commodity. Help us build an Oregon where every family has a safe, stable place to call home.

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Sources & Citations

  1. [1] Oregon Revised Statutes ยง 90.324 (2019). "Maximum annual rent increase." Oregon State Legislature. Available at: oregonlegislature.gov
  2. [2] RentCafe. "Portland, OR Rental Market Trends." December 2025. Based on Yardi Matrix data. Available at: rentcafe.com
  3. [3] U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. "2024 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress: Part 1 - Point-in-Time Estimates of Homelessness." December 2024. Available at: huduser.gov
  4. [4] National Low Income Housing Coalition. "Housing Needs by State: Oregon." Based on 2023 American Community Survey data. Available at: nlihc.org