Oregon has found itself in quite a hole of unpaid debt in the rental housing market since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. As of February 2021, an estimated $378 million remains outstanding in rental dues across the state. In 2020, Oregon put into place a Statewide Eviction Moratorium, banning nonpayment-related evictions, and gathered resources for rental assistance for landlords and tenants in an effort to keep people in their homes. The moratorium has since been extended through June 30, 2021, meaning landlords cannot evict tenants due to nonpayment from April 2020 until July 2021.
With the recent ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Dabney L. Friedrich of the District of Columbia striking down the nationwide eviction moratorium, calling it unlawful, things are unclear on where the moratorium may go. You can read more about this ruling by clicking here.
The outstanding in rental dues across the state don't go away, but rather builds the longer tenants remain behind on rent. The fear is that when the eviction ban is lifted, tenants will be unable to pay the back-rent and as a result will be evicted. With the current shortage on affordable housing in Oregon, anticipated evictions may cost the state billions according to Portland State University’s Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative. Expenses include, but are not limited to, the state systems that work with and provide services for families impacted by losing their homes: shelter, child welfare, juvenile justice, emergency room visits and inpatient care.
The alternative, and what Oregonians are already seeing a large increase in, is homelessness. The City of Salem has been combatting the homeless crisis for quite a while now and it continues to soar. The City, along with several nonprofit organizations, have made resources available to those that may become or are currently homeless. If you or someone you know is facing homelessness, we encourage you to reach out to someone and seek assistance.
(Rebecca Ellis, OPB)
MARION & POLK COUNTY RESOURCES
Shelters
| SafeSleep United - United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley An overnight women’s shelter providing a safe place for our unsheltered sisters to sleep at night. Union Gospel Mission Helping men, women and children break free from homelessness through the transforming grace of Jesus Christ. Website | Salem Warming Network A collaborative network which operates warming and flood shelters when temperatures reach 32 degrees or below and/or area waterways reach flood stages. This initiative offers a warm, dry place for individuals experiencing homelessness and housing instability to prevent loss of life and loss of limbs due to freezing temperatures or high waters. Website |
Shelters for Homeless Families
| Center for Hope & Safety For over 40 years the Center for Hope & Safety (formerly Mid-Valley Women’s Crisis Service) has strived to provide a safe environment for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking and to educate the public about the issues surrounding victimization. We provide 24 hour advocacy, safety planning, and shelter screening every day of the week through our hotline: 503-399-7722. Website | The ARCHES Project The ARCHES Project is the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action’s housing and street outreach division, where we help clients navigate from homelessness to stable housing and better lives. Our approach provides referrals, housing placements, and basic services to people experiencing homelessness and housing instability in Marion and Polk counties. Website |
Helping Homeless Youth
| Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) - Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) program If you or someone you know needs assistance, you can find help by using the 211info site or downloading the 211info Mobile app. If you are a young person who is thinking about running away or already has, you can talk to someone confidentially at the National Runaway Safeline: 1-800-RUNAWAY or 1-800-786-2929. HOME Youth Services HOME is a combination of services and programs for at-risk youth including a day shelter with drop-in services and an overnight emergency shelter. We provide a safe and supportive environment for both immediate needs and long term growth. Program Brochure | Website | Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children - Marion County Through our volunteers, CASA of Marion County advocates for abused and neglected children who need safe and permanent homes. To achieve the mission we recruit volunteers from our community, train them so they have the skills and knowledge necessary to advocate for an abused child, and professionally support them so they are able to do this difficult work successfully. There is no other agency or program providing volunteer advocacy to abused and neglected children who are living in foster care. Website Taylor’s House - United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley Taylor’s House offers safety, stability, structure and resources to at-risk, homeless, runaway and street youth. |
Rent Assistace
| Salem Housing Authority Salem Housing Authority's mission is to assist low- and moderate-income families to achieve self-sufficiency through stable housing, economic opportunity, community investment, and coordination with social service providers. Website Homeless Rental Assistance Program (HRAP) Through the Homeless Rental Assistance Program (HRAP), the City of Salem, Salem Housing Authority (SHA), private property owners, and community service providers, permanently housed 200 of Salem's most vulnerable chronically homeless individuals. The program includes help with housing, food, furnishings, and health. The Program combines rental assistance and intensive case management with the long-term goal of housing stability. All referrals go through ARCHES for assessment prior to being referred to SHA. Please call ARCHES at 503-399-9080 to schedule an appointment. City of Salem - Available Grant Programs 1. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CDBG awards from the City go to local non-profits that provide emergency or essential services to the most vulnerable populations with the highest need. 2. HOME Investment Partnership Program The HOME Program provides formula grants that communities use (often in partnership with local nonprofit groups) to fund a wide range of activities including building, buying, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent, homeownership, or providing direct rental assistance to low-income people. 3. City of Salem Another $400,000 is awarded annually from the City of Salem to organizations providing critical services to those in need in our community | The ARCHES Project ARCHES offers emergency housing and utility assistance for eligible households who reside in Polk County, as well as in rural Marion County, outside the city limits of Salem and Keizer. To access our Polk Services, please call 503-623-9664 or visit us at the Polk County Resource Center (182 SW Academy St. Suite 220 Dallas, OR 97338). Our Marion County Resource Services are available at the main ARCHES facility on Commercial Street in Salem. Address: Seymour Center, 3745 Portland Rd. NE, Suite 130, Salem OR, 97301 | Phone: 503-399-9080 ext. 4600 | Office hours: 9:00am – 4:30pm Services: - Resource Navigation - Financial assistance for rent, deposit and utility - Hygiene products, snacks - Birth certificates - Housing Assessments and entry into ARCHES Housing Programs Shangri-La Shangri-La's Housing Assistance Program (SHAP) provides permanent, supportive housing assistance to individuals and families who experience chronic homelessness. Participants may receive assistance with rent and utility payments and are required to participate in case management to help increase skills, stability, overall wellness, and self-sufficiency. |
Landlord Mediation
| Neighbor-to-Neighbor Neighbor-to-Neighbor Community Mediation is dedicated to providing peaceful solutions to conflict through mediation, group facilitation, restorative justice, education and training. Our aim is to provide families, neighborhoods, juvenile crime victims, government entities, and private organizations the means to achieve peace and reconciliation. Website List of Local Mediators |
