Temporary Eviction Moratorium

Executive Order 20-13 - Strengthening Eviction Protections

Last month, Governor Kate Brown issued an executive order halting residential evictions through June 19. The order places a temporary hold throughout Oregon on law enforcement actions relating to residential evictions for not paying rent. The Oregon Law Center has issued guidance on the order.

On April 1, 2020 Governor Kate Brown issued Executive Order 20-13, placing a 90-day moratorium on commercial evictions for nonpayment, in light of the impacts on business owners caused by the COVID-19 crisis. The order also strengthens Governor Brown's previous ban on residential evictions, and prohibits landlords from charging tenants late fees for nonpayment of rent during the moratorium.

Regarding mortgages, Governor Brown and the Coronavirus Economic Advisory Council are working with lenders and exploring state and federal policy solutions. The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau created a guide to mortgage relief options related to coronavirus, and the Department of Consumer and Business Services has provided guidance to Oregon lenders.

Contact your landlord or mortgage lender if you are not able to make payments due to COVID-19. If you need to find a shelter, call 2-1-1. Learn more at Oregon Housing and Community Resources’ COVID-19 resources page.


 

Salem, OR—Governor Kate Brown today issued Executive Order 20-11 , placing a temporary moratorium on residential evictions for nonpayment in light of the public health emergency caused by the spread of coronavirus in Oregon. The order is effective for 90 days.

“Through no fault of their own, many Oregonians have lost jobs, closed businesses, and found themselves without a source of income to pay rent and other housing costs during this coronavirus outbreak,” said Governor Brown. “The last thing we need to do during this crisis is turn out more Oregonians struggling to make ends meet from their homes and onto the streets.

“This is both a moral and a public health imperative. Keeping people in their homes is the right thing for Oregon families, and for preventing the further spread of COVID-19.”

Under the Governor's emergency powers, the order places a temporary hold throughout Oregon on law enforcement actions relating to residential evictions for not paying rent.

Recognizing that landlords and property owners face their own costs if tenants are not able to pay rent, the Governor and her Coronavirus Economic Advisory Council are engaging lenders to find potential solutions and are exploring various state and federal policy options that might be available to provide assistance to borrowers or other options for relief. Oregon Housing and Community Services and the Department of Consumer and Business Services are also pursuing relief options at the direction of the Governor.

The order is part of the Governor's coronavirus housing and homelessness strategy, which includes expanding shelter capacity with social distancing measures in place, identifying emergency COVID-19 shelter options for people experiencing homelessness who must be isolated or quarantined, exploring options for rent assistance, seeking expansion of federal eviction moratoriums, and homeowner foreclosure avoidance.

All coronavirus executive orders will be posted on the Oregon Coronavirus Information and Resources page after they have been issued and signed.