Signed by Governor Kate Brown

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits discriminating when selling, renting, or leasing property to individuals receiving housing assistance.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an individual from refusing to sell, lease, or rent property to an individual based on the fact that his or her source of income includes federal rent subsidy payments or any other local, state, or federal housing assistance (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an individual to refuse to lease or rent property to an individual based on the prospective renter’s past conduct or inability to pay rent, taking into account the value of any housing assistance, and provided that the refusal is consistent with existing law and fair housing statutes (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the Housing Choice Landlord Guarantee Program for the purpose of providing financial assistance to landlords for damages caused by tenants participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Sec. 3).

• Limits the Housing Choice Landlord Guarantee Program to compensation for property damage, unpaid rent, or other damages that exceed “normal wear and tear” and total between $500 and $5,000 (Sec. 3).

• Requires a landlord seeking assistance under the Housing Choice Landlord Guarantee Program to obtain a circuit court ruling against his or her tenant before submitting a claim to the Housing and Community Services Department (Sec. 3).

• Requires a tenant to repay the department the full or partial amount of any compensation awarded to his or her landlord under the Housing Choice Landlord Guarantee Program by entering into a “reasonable” repayment agreement (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits discriminating when selling, renting, or leasing property to individuals receiving housing assistance.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an individual from refusing to sell, lease, or rent property to an individual based on the fact that his or her source of income includes federal rent subsidy payments or any other local, state, or federal housing assistance (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an individual to refuse to lease or rent property to an individual based on the prospective renter’s past conduct or inability to pay rent, taking into account the value of any housing assistance, and provided that the refusal is consistent with existing law and fair housing statutes (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the Housing Choice Landlord Guarantee Program for the purpose of providing financial assistance to landlords for damages caused by tenants participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Sec. 3).

• Limits the Housing Choice Landlord Guarantee Program to compensation for property damage, unpaid rent, or other damages that exceed “normal wear and tear” and total between $500 and $5,000 (Sec. 3).

• Requires a landlord seeking assistance under the Housing Choice Landlord Guarantee Program to obtain a circuit court ruling against his or her tenant before submitting a claim to the Housing and Community Services Department (Sec. 3).

• Requires a tenant to repay the department the full or partial amount of any compensation awarded to his or her landlord under the Housing Choice Landlord Guarantee Program by entering into a “reasonable” repayment agreement (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text