Candidate for Portland Commissioner, Position 3

Letter Grade: B

Overall Score: 59.3/72

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

Income inequality driven by rampant capitalism. Lack of affordable housing particularly at the 0-30% MFI. Lack of political courage. The development timeline for new affordable housing right now, complicated by the global pandemic, is not meeting community needs. (3.7/5)

2.) 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.

Protect the critical progress made by Commissioner Chloe Eudaly on tenant rights in the City of Portland. Ensure ongoing tenant and landlord education. Open to proactively engaging on the solutions to the wave/cliff and evictions facing tenants, and what is needed to ensure landlords are held accountable. (2.7/5)

3.) Do you rent or own your residence? If you own your home, when were you a renter most recently?

Rent. (2/2)

4.) Are you currently a landlord? If so, in what capacity?

No. (2/2)

5.) PTU had been advocating for the Tenant Protection Ordinance along with a coalition of over 25 organizations. The TPO would support tenants experiencing harassment from their landlord. If elected, will you prioritize and support passing the Tenant Protection Ordinance?

Yes. (2/2)

6.) Portland’s relocation ordinance currently kicks in at a rent increase at 10% or above. Would you favor lowering the amount that triggers relocation payments if a rent increase forces tenants to move?

Yes (2/2)

7.) 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 (2/2)

8.) If you answered yes to #6 and #7, how would you champion or advocate for the changes needed? What are your priorities and timeline?

I would be open to working with a community coalition at the local and state levels. I applaud the incredible progress made over the last 10 years for renters and affordable housing. I have been a strong supporter, as a community leader with the Coalition for a Livable Future and Oregon Action. I have continued to support as a member of City Council. I would entrust the community coalition to develop the priorities and timeline based on the political assessment and capacity. (3.3/5)

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

No (0/2)

10.) If elected, would you support a Right to Counsel (tenants in eviction courts are guaranteed legal counsel) and a funding mechanism to provide it?

I am open to this, and have been studying the Eviction Representation for All for Multnomah County. (2/2)

11.) If elected, would you ask Portland Tenants United to participate in any community engagement process that involves tenant law or housing justice issues? What other groups would you invite to the table?

Yes. My office has made this effort during my first term, and will continue to do so. (2/2)

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

As I have demonstrated in my other policy making, I am committed to community driven processes to ensure our decisions are well informed, relevant and equitable. I will continue to do this. (3.3/5)

13.) 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?

Yes (2/2)

14.) Landlords and lobbyists have often walked away from policy conversations when they feel that the status quo is threatened . How will you respond if landlords and lobbyists refuse to engage in good faith toward a tenant-friendly solution to a housing crisis problem?

I am open to playing a visible role in calling key stakeholders to the table, and also working within city hall to build the political coalition to pass the public policy we need. (1.3/5)

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

Regarding the collective bargaining, this should be a statewide policy, not a local policy.

- Establish a new public land trust seeded with $20 million for future housing and small businesses with community control over how development happens. Study dedicating publicly owned properties (i.e., post office, golf courses, racetracks, park & ride lots, expo, etc) and securing foreclosures and utilizing the power of eminent domain to house Portlanders faster.

- Support and expand existing self-governing camps to ensure health and safety, and expand overnight camping options for RV’s and Cars, providing adequate sanitary services, laundry, and garbage pick-up.

- Ensure large developers pay their fair share and support affordable housing in community-driven and transit-oriented development including downtown, the Rose Quarter and on 82nd Avenue. (5/5)