Multifamily NW remains Dedicated to Finding Solutions that Keep Oregonians Housed

Dear Multifamily NW Members,

In consideration of the measures the state is taking to protect Oregonians during the increase of confirmed COVID-19 cases, we remain dedicated to finding solutions that keep Oregonians housed and will partner with the State of Oregon and local governments where appropriate.

To this end, Multifamily NW has submitted recommendations to Governor Kate Brown, Senate President Peter Courtney, House Speaker Tina Kotek, members of the Legislature and local elected officials of 17 cities and counties. These measures include:

• Establishing an emergency assistance fund to prevent loss of housing through short-term financial assistance.
• Mortgage and financial forbearance for rental property owners and small businesses.
• A well-tailored eviction prevention measure to keep families in their homes.
• Payroll tax cuts to alleviate reduction in income due to COVID-19.
• Exclusion of unemployment compensation from income taxes for 2020.
• Reduction of 2020 quarterly estimated tax payments for Oregonians who own real estate partnerships or corporations.
• Allowing net operating losses (NOLs) generated in 2020 to be carried back for three years.
• Providing wage credit for quarantined and self-isolated employees to ensure employers can continue to provide income.
• Enacting a moratorium on enforcement of the Fair Access in Renting (FAIR) ordinance due to canceled trainings.

Currently, there is no emergency funding for housing providers to help alleviate the pressure on tenants. Multifamily NW further encourages property managers to request that their local elected officials fund financial relief for residents and housing providers affected by COVID-19.

On March 18 there will be a meeting by the Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response to determine the best ways to support the business and labor community as well as low-income and vulnerable Oregonians. This committee was created in order to more effectively make recommendations for legislative actions regarding COVID-19.

We encourage Multifamily NW Members to carry the message and provide testimony to the committee ahead of tomorrow’s hearing. You can submit testimony at jscvr.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov. 

At this time, we suggest property managers direct those tenants who may need financial assistance to contact the community information center at 211info and to the Oregon Unemployment Department’s page focused on COVID-19 related business layoffs, closures and unemployment insurance benefits. We also encourage members to use information provided by National Multifamily Housing Council, which offers guidance on topics including late payments, understanding obligations and more.

While the result of COVID-19 may be an unprecedented hardship, we remain committed to keeping lines of communication open with elected officials and confident we can reach well-thought out solutions that mitigate the impacts of this pandemic on housing providers and their tenants.

Deborah Imse

Executive Director