Tiffany Koyama Lane's Questionnaire Answers

Running for Portland City Council District 3

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Question 1: In your view, what are the primary causes of the housing crisis?

We are in an affordability crisis, the cost of groceries, medicine, child care, ect, has gone up exponentially over the past decade. Renters are having to make tough (inhumane) decisions between paying rent/utilities and buying food. Outside of affordability, we are seeing a rise in property management companies using predatory practices with little to no reprimanding. That combined with an increased risk of deportations because of ICE activity leads to more and more housing discrimination and tenant fear.

Question 2: What are the main policies that you would champion to address the current housing crisis?

I have, and will continue, to champion social housing and a renters bill of rights as the solutions to our current housing crisis. The solutions to this crisis must be policies that return some power to renters across this city.

Question 3: Provide an explanation of your work around the policies listed above, and why you believe they are important?

During my last term I helped pass legislation to create a $17.5 million fund for our city’s first move towards a social housing program. I believe this was an investment into changing the dynamics of renter rights in this city forever, the work now is to ensure our it is implemented properly.

Question 4: Do you rent or own your residence?

Own

Question 5: If you own, when were you last a renter?

Over 10 years ago

Question 6: In PTU’s most recent survey of tenants, harassment of tenants by landlords was one of the top issues faced by Portland tenants. What would you do to address harassment of tenants by landlords?

It is for reasons like these that we need stronger protocols in place to protect Portland’s tenants. From harassment, unexpected rent increases, and eviction. Part of this lies through a renter’s bill of rights, making it easier for the government to take action against landlords or provide attorneys to tenants in need. Another part is city government working with tenant agencies to leverage our power and ensure an end to this harassment. I am open to working with your agency on ordinances and tactics.

Question 7: If elected, would you advocate to overturn the State of Oregon's preemption preventing municipalities from implementing local rent control, and work towards local rent control with a lower annual increase cap?

Yes

Question 8: Please share more about your thoughts on rent control.

We cannot trust landlords or the market to keep our best interests in mind, we have to have methods to ensure our housing stays affordable despite ever rising inflation. Without rent control slowing annual increases we are stuck with an unsustainable system that pushes renters towards eviction.

Question 9: If elected, would you support the right of tenants to collectively bargain their leases?

Yes

Question 10: Please share more about your thoughts on tenants' right to collectively bargain.

As a democratic socialist and a rank-and-file union member, I know how important the power of working people to come together and collectively bargain is. We need to be placing power into the hands of working class people and our strength is in our numbers and our ability to halt profit. If tenants are able to go on strike they are in a significantly better position to win fair concessions as they bargain their leases.

Question 11: 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

Question 12: 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 a proud supporter of the Renter’s Bill of Rights. One policy I am particularly passionate about is protecting children, educators, and staff from eviction during the school year. As a teacher, this one hits close to home. I also feel strongly that we need to provide a right to counsel in eviction court, as the legal system is stacked against renters and working class families.

Question 13: How would you ensure that policies and processes which affect tenants meaningfully include impacted renters, and reflect the diversity of the tenants affected?

I am a strong believer in constant communication with the communities and organizers that I represent, and I believe this allows me to learn about where the cracks in our policies are. By keeping that line of communication open and encouraging it, I am able to hear from a diverse collection of the community and ensure they are invited into the process of legislating. I am an elected official to work alongside the movement that got me here, and I want to ensure that is always true.

Question 14: 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

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

I believe it is important to not just legislate within city hall, but to build the movement outside of the building. For this reason, I think it is important that I am using my position of power to help mobilize people towards tenant strikes and joining in them myself.