A city council workshop on Monday, June 9, was called to order by Portland Mayor Mark Dion after council members and city staff discussed a rent control ordinance’s enforcement in what Dion called an “animated” way. The conversation on enforcement of the ordinance came after a group of activists called for the city to work “in a more aggressive way, to kind of punish landlords,” according to Dion.
Currently, the only process of enforcement is through taking landlords to court, which the city has done nine times since the ordinance’s passing in 2020. City council and staff discussed enforcement, with some arguing staff could do more, and others defending the staff. While Dion said he “wasn’t particularly pleased with the sense of attack on city staff,” he did see an opportunity for improvement in the ordinance.
The rent control ordinance, passed by referendum in 2020, Mayor Dion admits is “clunky and has pieces that could be modified.” Critics of the ordinance, and of its enforcement, include the Portland Tenants Union. Founding member of the union Bradley Davis said, “There seems to be no intent or process in place to prevent violations before they occur and no fines for violations when they are found.” Portland director of permitting and inspections Jessica Hanscombe said the ordinance does not enable the city to impose fines, according to
Despite the alleged flaws of the ordinance, Mayor Dion says education of landlords and clarity of the ordinance’s implications could aid in enforcement. “The goal of enforcement is to get compliance… If somebody is outside the ordinance, they should be educated and brought back on track,” said Dion.
“If we drift too far to the punitive side, no one’s going to win that,” said Dion, “Our goal is to enforce the policy.” While the workshop is a step towards change, Dion says it will take time before the full authority of the rent control ordinance is realized.
