The Portland Mercury's question for candidates, a couple of weeks ago:

"It seems that due to the current mortgage meltdown and the recession we are currently in, all of the major property management companies have decided to raise their rates in some cases up to 25 percent in non-hip areas. Most of the statutes of Tenant’s rights are geared towards property owners, not renters. Leases are not worth the paper they are printed on: I have known many people who are given the 72 hours to vacate notice letter for the most shallow of reasons, but God forbid the tenant wants to walk away as management companies have no problem sticking the ex-renter with charges that are legal, but in bad faith. i.e., you have lived somewhere for 5 years without any work being done on the property, yet the ex-tenant will be billed accordingly for the work that is needed, even though the “damages” are just a part of normal wear and tear.

I wish to remain anonymous because I am afraid of retaliation."

My response:

Tenants have rights, and it is the City of Portland's duty to do more to protect renters, inform them of their rights, and preserve/provide affordable rental housing.

Renters are often treated like second class citizens. The person asking this question feared to give their name due to concern about retaliation, and theirs is but one example of the challenges renters face. I hope Blogtown readers who rent will offer your own experiences in the comments, as I know the questioner is not alone.

Recently, the Oregonian changed the header of its Sunday section advertising housing to "Homes and Rentals", as if people who rent do not live in a home. I lived in a Salvation Army shelter when I first immigrated, then in rental housing for seven years. The shelter wasn't home to me, but the apartments were. My neighborhood's homes are half rentals, half owner-occupied. I will work to improve housing affordability and quality for both buyers and renters.

If I am elected to the Portland City Council, I will:

1. Improve code compliance and enforcement processes. Gresham recently adopted mandatory periodic inspection of rental properties, so tenants don't have to complain and repairs are made without retaliation. Portland should ensure homes meet State laws requiring rental properties to be safe and well-maintained, in an orderly and routine process instead of a complaint-driven one. The City Council should do more to identify, adopt, and implement policies to protect tenants from retaliatory evictions. The City's Bureau of Housing and Community Development convened a Quality Rental Housing Working Group in September 2007, to make recommendations on policy and implementation improvements. I hope establishing routine inspections is one of the outcomes.

2. Lead a public process to amend current Portland City Code language that allows landlords to refuse to rent to people using Section 8 vouchers. State regulations prohibit discrimination based on source of funds, except for vouchers. Portland chooses to uphold the carve-out even though we are allowed to make our code more equitable. The effort in 1999 to change this was unsuccessful. The promised task force to re-examine the issue within one year has not yet been formed. I remember and keep promises.

3. Work with the Portland Development Commission to ensure enforcement of requirements that subsidized projects remain affordable for 60 years, and to provide more rental housing instead of condominiums. Continue tax abatement programs outside of Urban Renewal Areas that promote rehabilitation of rental properties.

4. Continue to allocate City funds to preserve and renovate affordable rental housing. Housing is a human right, and provision of housing is one of the City's core responsibilities. Retaining and upgrading existing housing is half the cost of building new units.

5. Work with the entire City Council to push for funding and regulatory changes at the State and Federal level. Community Development agencies should receive direct allocations from the federal government rather than pass-through tax credits. I will work to generate political momentum at the State Legislature to allow rent protections and other safeguards for renters. After being an early leader in the 1970s, Oregon has not kept pace with other states in adopting laws that protect tenants, and the balance has shifted in favor of landlords.

6. Work in partnership with community organizations providing affordable rental housing and assisting tenants, and publicize the good work they do. The Community Development Network's members provide over 7,000 affordable rental homes. The Community Alliance of Tenants informs renters of their rights and helps resolve issues (person who asked this week's question, call their Renters Rights Hotline at 503-288-0130). Multnomah County's 211 line is an excellent resource and referral service.

7. Improve education of tenants and landlords about housing laws, good neighbor principles, and best practices. Increase access to legal services (available from the Fair Housing Council, with some funding provided by the Bureau of Housing and Community Development; from Legal Aid Services of Oregon; or from the Oregon Law Center), and mediation (through the Office of Neighborhood Involvement).

Legal remedies for tenant problems should be the last resort. Renters don't have time or money to sue after unfair eviction or spurious maintenance charges, and few retaliation charges are upheld in court given landlords' right to give 30-day no-cause eviction notices. Regulations and routine inspections should be in place so that clean, safe rental homes are provided without tenant complaints.

These aren't academic rules and policy changes. These decisions and strategies directly affect people's security and quality of life here in Portland.

In a healthy city, residents need affordable and safe homes, whether they own or rent. I care about renters, homeowners, and people experiencing homelessness. If you vote to elect me as your next City Commissioner, I will work to ensure that all Portlanders have safe, pleasant homes, in 95 safe, pleasant neighborhoods.