Read what candidates running for local elections in the Portland area have to say about tenants rights.

Candidates answers will be added as they are sent to us. You can look through answers below by candidate or by question. 

If you are a candidate and would like to answer these questions, you can fill out the 2024 candidate questionnaire.

Simple Questions Cheat Sheet

By Candidate

Mayor

District 1

District 2

District 3

Tiffany Koyama Lane

In your view, what are the main causes of the current housing crisis?

My understanding is that the root of homelessness is the cost of housing, and the lack of housing. As home and rent prices go up, homelessness goes up. In major cities across America, working people are priced out of both the rental market and home ownership. In Oregon, someone would have to earn around $28/hour to afford rent on a two-bedroom apartment. That is the first problem. The affordability crisis is compounded in Oregon because COVID and fentanyl arrived at roughly the same time, straining our social safety net to its breaking point. We are nearly last in the nation for access to mental health treatment and substance use treatment, both of which are exacerbated by housing instability (and can also lead to entrenched homelessness, a vicious cycle). And as a teacher, I have to point out that our schools are underfunded by over two billion dollars. As a country, and as a state, we do not invest in families and children, even though there is so much evidence that the way we start life can shape our ability to thrive as adults. Instead of taking a holistic approach to all of these problems, many of our politicians have chosen a punitive or austerity approach, defunded critical programs, or simply failed to create efficient and navigable systems. It is a mess, although not for lack of a lot of effort and hard work by people who truly want things to change.

What are the main policies you would champion to address the current housing crisis?

It’s important to keep people in the housing they already have. First I would work with other councilors to pass a Renters’ Bill of Rights similar to that which passed in Tacoma. While Oregon does not allow local rent control, there are a number of steps we can take in Portland to give broader protections to renters. These would include lowering the rental increase cap at which landlords must pay relocation fees from 10 percent to 5 percent, or banning evictions during severe weather events or during the school year for families with children.

Second, I would put forward a joint package of housing reforms with effects similar to that of the Housing Regulatory Relief Program, which has smoothed the way for more housing to be built. This would include a land value tax and/or vacancy tax and a commitment to increasing our housing supply through union-built, environmentally resilient housing, both through partnering with nonprofit developers and ideally through a social housing model. Although many vacant lots and properties are not residential, they contribute to neighborhood decay and could be repurposed and rezoned for housing. I would look closely at social housing models from other communities, like Montgomery County, MD. It is clear that market-based incentives for the creation of housing are ineffective and have left our community in crisis, and we cannot rely on for-profit developers. The City of Portland owns a lot of land that is currently sitting empty, and could be developed in this way, for social housing or community land trusts.

Finally, I would work with County partners in the JOHS to streamline the vacancy list. Currently people experiencing homelessness are asked to put their names on lists for multiple buildings, often run through different nonprofits, placing the onus on people in need of housing to navigate a very complex and cumbersome system. While Portland housing nonprofits have very dedicated housing navigators, many have untenable caseloads. We also need to look at deepening the bench and addressing the issue of burnout, through workforce development and better wages and working conditions for our housing navigators and people in behavioral health support roles. Too much of our system relies on individuals, and we need a systemic overhaul that emphasizes a truly housing-first approach.

What are your  top priorities for advancing tenants rights? Please list one to three policies or initiatives you are or will be proactively championing, and provide an explanation of a. your work around this/these policies, and b. why it is/they are important.

As I mentioned above, I support a Renters’ bill of rights. I think one of the most common-sense things we can do is prevent landlords from raising the rent while there are outstanding code violations. I also believe that families with school-aged children should not be evicted for late rent during the school year. As an educator who has seen students lose housing in the middle of the year and have to commute long distances to get to school, I have seen just how disruptive and destabilizing it is for families in this position. Teachers are on the front lines of this crisis, and are often in the position of connecting families with resources..

Do you rent or own your residence?

I own my residence

When were you most recently a renter?

5-10 years ago

Are you currently a landlord?

Please share more about your thoughts on the Tenant Protection Ordinance.

This is not something I was previously familiar with, but I see that it is backed by data from other cities, supported by many amazing organizations (many of which have endorsed my campaign), and the Rental Services Commission. This seems like a common-sense measure to protect tenants from retaliatory actions by landlords who are no longer able to raise rents without any restrictions.

If elected, would you work to overturn the state of Oregon’s preemption preventing local rent control measures, and work towards local rent control with a lower annual increase cap?

Yes

Please share more about your thoughts on rent control.

I know there are arguments in other large, unaffordable cities like San Francisco about the role of rent control, and I know that some people believe it prevents housing construction. I think we need to ask if a system where all of our housing supply is contingent on a profit motive and the needs of developers is working. I believe that in a city like Portland, where you would need to make at least $28 per house to afford the rent on a two-bedroom apartment, we need some form of cap or control on rents. We simply will not have anyone living in this city, especially people who work everyday jobs that make the city run, if there is not some baseline effort to keep costs under control. I support and am supported by the State legislators, including Rep. Chaichi and Rep. Gamba, who are working on overturning the local rent control ban at the state level.

If elected, would you support the right of tenants to collectively bargain their leases and rent?

Yes

Please share more about your thoughts on tenants’ right to collectively bargain.

As a rank and file union member I always support the rights of people to collectively bargain! I come from an organizing background, and I view organizing as one of the most important tools we have to make change. I had not thought about it in this context but it makes sense and would be a way to build strong communities as well create more fair conditions for renters.

Other local tenant groups have launched a Renter’s Bill of Rights campaign. Have you pledged to support the Renter’s Bill of Rights?

Yes

Please share more about your thoughts on Renter’s Bill of Rights. What are two or three policies that you are particularly passionate about?

As I mentioned above, ending school-year evictions for children with families for late rent, and preventing rent increases when there are outstanding code violations.

How would you ensure that policies and processes which affect tenants meaningfully include impacted renters, and reflect the diversity of the tenants affected?

I will work to make sure that we bring tenants and impacted renters from diverse backgrounds to the table when discussing these policies! I’ll use my background as the lead external organizer of my union to make sure that we are reaching out and engaging the community meaningfully, asking "Who is in the room? Who is not?" and making it my job to meet them where they are.

Would you refuse or return campaign contributions from Multifamily NW's Equitable Housing PAC, The Good Landlord PAC, More Housing Now! PAC, or similar real estate industry PACs?

Are there other ways, besides those you have already mentioned, that you will champion housing affordability, expand tenant rights, and fight displacement?

One thing I think a lot about is the lack of strong standards around wages for providers receiving public dollars from JOHS, Measure 110, and HB4002. While the latter are routed through the County, the City has a big role in determining how our public dollars are spent on homelessness, and right now we have a workforce crisis–people who are doing the critical and very challenging work of connecting people with housing are often in situations where they are needing to work two jobs. We have burnout and high turnover, and this affects the general livability of the city. I want to fund a workforce that can tackle these challenges with the energy required and with the support these essential workers deserve.

Theo Hathaway Saner

In your view, what are the main causes of the current housing crisis?

The housing crisis is rooted in several factors: a severe shortage of affordable housing, rising income inequality, stagnant wages, and a lack of coordinated investment in public and nonprofit housing. Additionally, decades of exclusionary zoning laws and policies that favor private development have exacerbated the affordability crisis, leading to displacement and gentrification, particularly for low-income and BIPOC communities.

What are the main policies you would champion to address the current housing crisis?

I would champion policies that focus on building more affordable housing through nonprofit-led development, expand tenant protections to prevent displacement, and ensure permanent supportive housing for the chronically homeless. I would also push for inclusionary zoning, which requires developers to include affordable units in new housing projects, and advocate for rent control measures to stabilize the market.

What are your  top priorities for advancing tenants rights? Please list one to three policies or initiatives you are or will be proactively championing, and provide an explanation of a. your work around this/these policies, and b. why it is/they are important.

Strengthening Rent Control: Portland needs stronger rent control policies to prevent rent hikes that displace vulnerable tenants. Just Cause Eviction Protections: Expanding protections so tenants cannot be evicted without a legitimate reason will ensure housing stability for low-income renters. Tenant Representation and Advocacy: I will work to create systems that give tenants a stronger voice in policymaking, including funding for tenant legal services and supporting tenant unions. At PCRI, I’ve worked with tenants navigating housing challenges and seen firsthand the impact of housing insecurity. These policies are critical to ensuring all Portlanders have access to stable, affordable homes.

Do you rent or own your residence?

I own my residence

When were you most recently a renter?

More than 10 years ago

Are you currently a landlord?

Please share more about your thoughts on the Tenant Protection Ordinance.

The Tenant Protection Ordinance is an essential tool for safeguarding tenants from sudden rent hikes and unjust evictions. I support strengthening these protections by expanding the ordinance to include more comprehensive rent caps and stronger penalties for landlords who violate tenants' rights.

If elected, would you work to overturn the state of Oregon’s preemption preventing local rent control measures, and work towards local rent control with a lower annual increase cap?

Yes

Please share more about your thoughts on rent control.

Rent control is vital for stabilizing the housing market and preventing rent increases that push families out of their homes. While rent control alone won’t solve the housing crisis, it is a necessary tool to protect tenants from price gouging and ensure affordability for all. I support stronger, more equitable rent control measures citywide.

If elected, would you support the right of tenants to collectively bargain their leases and rent?

Yes

Please share more about your thoughts on tenants’ right to collectively bargain.

Tenants’ right to collectively bargain is essential to leveling the playing field between landlords and renters. Collective bargaining empowers tenants to negotiate for better living conditions, rent terms, and protections, ensuring their voices are heard. I support enshrining this right into law to provide tenants with more control over their housing situations.

Other local tenant groups have launched a Renter’s Bill of Rights campaign. Have you pledged to support the Renter’s Bill of Rights?

Yes

Please share more about your thoughts on Renter’s Bill of Rights. What are two or three policies that you are particularly passionate about?

I am passionate about including universal rent control and just cause eviction protections in a Renter’s Bill of Rights. Additionally, I support the right to legal representation for tenants facing eviction. These policies would create a more just and equitable housing system, providing tenants with the stability and protections they need to thrive.

How would you ensure that policies and processes which affect tenants meaningfully include impacted renters, and reflect the diversity of the tenants affected?

I would create advisory councils made up of tenants from diverse backgrounds to ensure their voices are included in policymaking. It’s essential that we hold community meetings in accessible locations and languages, and create feedback loops where impacted renters can engage directly with policymakers. I also support funding tenant organizing efforts to empower residents to advocate for their own needs.

Would you refuse or return campaign contributions from Multifamily NW's Equitable Housing PAC, The Good Landlord PAC, More Housing Now! PAC, or similar real estate industry PACs?

Are there other ways, besides those you have already mentioned, that you will champion housing affordability, expand tenant rights, and fight displacement?

In addition to tenant protections, I will advocate for community-driven development that prioritizes affordable housing, invest in public housing, and push for tax incentives for landlords who offer below-market rents. I will also work to protect existing affordable housing from being converted into market-rate units and promote cooperative housing models that give tenants collective ownership.

District 4

By Question

See the Simple Questions Cheat Sheet for yes/no and multiple choice questions. Below are all of the answers to each of the long form questions.

In your view, what are the main causes of the current housing crisis?

Tiffany Koyama Lane (D3): My understanding is that the root of homelessness is the cost of housing, and the lack of housing. As home and rent prices go up, homelessness goes up. In major cities across America, working people are priced out of both the rental market and home ownership. In Oregon, someone would have to earn around $28/hour to afford rent on a two-bedroom apartment. That is the first problem. The affordability crisis is compounded in Oregon because COVID and fentanyl arrived at roughly the same time, straining our social safety net to its breaking point. We are nearly last in the nation for access to mental health treatment and substance use treatment, both of which are exacerbated by housing instability (and can also lead to entrenched homelessness, a vicious cycle). And as a teacher, I have to point out that our schools are underfunded by over two billion dollars. As a country, and as a state, we do not invest in families and children, even though there is so much evidence that the way we start life can shape our ability to thrive as adults. Instead of taking a holistic approach to all of these problems, many of our politicians have chosen a punitive or austerity approach, defunded critical programs, or simply failed to create efficient and navigable systems. It is a mess, although not for lack of a lot of effort and hard work by people who truly want things to change.

Theo Hathaway Saner (D3): The housing crisis is rooted in several factors: a severe shortage of affordable housing, rising income inequality, stagnant wages, and a lack of coordinated investment in public and nonprofit housing. Additionally, decades of exclusionary zoning laws and policies that favor private development have exacerbated the affordability crisis, leading to displacement and gentrification, particularly for low-income and BIPOC communities.

What are the main policies you would champion to address the current housing crisis?

Tiffany Koyama Lane (D3): It’s important to keep people in the housing they already have. First I would work with other councilors to pass a Renters’ Bill of Rights similar to that which passed in Tacoma. While Oregon does not allow local rent control, there are a number of steps we can take in Portland to give broader protections to renters. These would include lowering the rental increase cap at which landlords must pay relocation fees from 10 percent to 5 percent, or banning evictions during severe weather events or during the school year for families with children.

Second, I would put forward a joint package of housing reforms with effects similar to that of the Housing Regulatory Relief Program, which has smoothed the way for more housing to be built. This would include a land value tax and/or vacancy tax and a commitment to increasing our housing supply through union-built, environmentally resilient housing, both through partnering with nonprofit developers and ideally through a social housing model. Although many vacant lots and properties are not residential, they contribute to neighborhood decay and could be repurposed and rezoned for housing. I would look closely at social housing models from other communities, like Montgomery County, MD. It is clear that market-based incentives for the creation of housing are ineffective and have left our community in crisis, and we cannot rely on for-profit developers. The City of Portland owns a lot of land that is currently sitting empty, and could be developed in this way, for social housing or community land trusts.

Finally, I would work with County partners in the JOHS to streamline the vacancy list. Currently people experiencing homelessness are asked to put their names on lists for multiple buildings, often run through different nonprofits, placing the onus on people in need of housing to navigate a very complex and cumbersome system. While Portland housing nonprofits have very dedicated housing navigators, many have untenable caseloads. We also need to look at deepening the bench and addressing the issue of burnout, through workforce development and better wages and working conditions for our housing navigators and people in behavioral health support roles. Too much of our system relies on individuals, and we need a systemic overhaul that emphasizes a truly housing-first approach.

Theo Hathaway Saner(D3): I would champion policies that focus on building more affordable housing through nonprofit-led development, expand tenant protections to prevent displacement, and ensure permanent supportive housing for the chronically homeless. I would also push for inclusionary zoning, which requires developers to include affordable units in new housing projects, and advocate for rent control measures to stabilize the market.

What are your  top priorities for advancing tenants rights? Please list one to three policies or initiatives you are or will be proactively championing, and provide an explanation of a. your work around this/these policies, and b. why it is/they are important.

Tiffany Koyama Lane (D3): As I mentioned above, I support a Renters’ bill of rights. I think one of the most common-sense things we can do is prevent landlords from raising the rent while there are outstanding code violations. I also believe that families with school-aged children should not be evicted for late rent during the school year. As an educator who has seen students lose housing in the middle of the year and have to commute long distances to get to school, I have seen just how disruptive and destabilizing it is for families in this position. Teachers are on the front lines of this crisis, and are often in the position of connecting families with resources.

Theo Hathaway Saner(D3): Strengthening Rent Control: Portland needs stronger rent control policies to prevent rent hikes that displace vulnerable tenants. Just Cause Eviction Protections: Expanding protections so tenants cannot be evicted without a legitimate reason will ensure housing stability for low-income renters. Tenant Representation and Advocacy: I will work to create systems that give tenants a stronger voice in policymaking, including funding for tenant legal services and supporting tenant unions. At PCRI, I’ve worked with tenants navigating housing challenges and seen firsthand the impact of housing insecurity. These policies are critical to ensuring all Portlanders have access to stable, affordable homes.

Please share more about your thoughts on the Tenant Protection Ordinance.

Tiffany Koyama Lane (D3): This is not something I was previously familiar with, but I see that it is backed by data from other cities, supported by many amazing organizations (many of which have endorsed my campaign), and the Rental Services Commission. This seems like a common-sense measure to protect tenants from retaliatory actions by landlords who are no longer able to raise rents without any restrictions.

Theo Hathaway Saner (D3): The Tenant Protection Ordinance is an essential tool for safeguarding tenants from sudden rent hikes and unjust evictions. I support strengthening these protections by expanding the ordinance to include more comprehensive rent caps and stronger penalties for landlords who violate tenants' rights.

Please share more about your thoughts on rent control.

Tiffany Koyama Lane (D3): I know there are arguments in other large, unaffordable cities like San Francisco about the role of rent control, and I know that some people believe it prevents housing construction. I think we need to ask if a system where all of our housing supply is contingent on a profit motive and the needs of developers is working. I believe that in a city like Portland, where you would need to make at least $28 per house to afford the rent on a two-bedroom apartment, we need some form of cap or control on rents. We simply will not have anyone living in this city, especially people who work everyday jobs that make the city run, if there is not some baseline effort to keep costs under control. I support and am supported by the State legislators, including Rep. Chaichi and Rep. Gamba, who are working on overturning the local rent control ban at the state level.

Theo Hathaway Saner (D3): Rent control is vital for stabilizing the housing market and preventing rent increases that push families out of their homes. While rent control alone won’t solve the housing crisis, it is a necessary tool to protect tenants from price gouging and ensure affordability for all. I support stronger, more equitable rent control measures citywide.

Please share more about your thoughts on tenants’ right to collectively bargain.

Tiffany Koyama Lane (D3): As a rank and file union member I always support the rights of people to collectively bargain! I come from an organizing background, and I view organizing as one of the most important tools we have to make change. I had not thought about it in this context but it makes sense and would be a way to build strong communities as well create more fair conditions for renters.

Theo Hathaway Saner (D3): Tenants’ right to collectively bargain is essential to leveling the playing field between landlords and renters. Collective bargaining empowers tenants to negotiate for better living conditions, rent terms, and protections, ensuring their voices are heard. I support enshrining this right into law to provide tenants with more control over their housing situations.

Please share more about your thoughts on Renter’s Bill of Rights. What are two or three policies that you are particularly passionate about?

Tiffany Koyama Lane (D3): As I mentioned above, ending school-year evictions for children with families for late rent, and preventing rent increases when there are outstanding code violations.

Theo Hathaway Saner (D3): I am passionate about including universal rent control and just cause eviction protections in a Renter’s Bill of Rights. Additionally, I support the right to legal representation for tenants facing eviction. These policies would create a more just and equitable housing system, providing tenants with the stability and protections they need to thrive.

How would you ensure that policies and processes which affect tenants meaningfully include impacted renters, and reflect the diversity of the tenants affected?

Tiffany Koyama Lane (D3): I will work to make sure that we bring tenants and impacted renters from diverse backgrounds to the table when discussing these policies! I’ll use my background as the lead external organizer of my union to make sure that we are reaching out and engaging the community meaningfully, asking "Who is in the room? Who is not?" and making it my job to meet them where they are.

Theo Hathaway Saner (D3): I would create advisory councils made up of tenants from diverse backgrounds to ensure their voices are included in policymaking. It’s essential that we hold community meetings in accessible locations and languages, and create feedback loops where impacted renters can engage directly with policymakers. I also support funding tenant organizing efforts to empower residents to advocate for their own needs.

Are there other ways, besides those you have already mentioned, that you will champion housing affordability, expand tenant rights, and fight displacement?

Tiffany Koyama Lane (D3): One thing I think a lot about is the lack of strong standards around wages for providers receiving public dollars from JOHS, Measure 110, and HB4002. While the latter are routed through the County, the City has a big role in determining how our public dollars are spent on homelessness, and right now we have a workforce crisis–people who are doing the critical and very challenging work of connecting people with housing are often in situations where they are needing to work two jobs. We have burnout and high turnover, and this affects the general livability of the city. I want to fund a workforce that can tackle these challenges with the energy required and with the support these essential workers deserve.

Theo Hathaway Saner (D3): In addition to tenant protections, I will advocate for community-driven development that prioritizes affordable housing, invest in public housing, and push for tax incentives for landlords who offer below-market rents. I will also work to protect existing affordable housing from being converted into market-rate units and promote cooperative housing models that give tenants collective ownership.