Take Action to BAN APPLICATION FEES for Apartments in Oregon (HB 2967)
Organize with the Eugene Tenant Alliance this legislative session! We are fighting for your rights.
Hello everyone,
My name is Adriana G, and I’m excited to introduce myself as the new Policy Associate and Organizer for the Eugene Tenant Alliance! I’m honored to be stepping into this role as we continue the fight for stronger tenant protections and housing justice in Oregon.
I am a passionate advocate with a Bachelor of Science in political science and sociology. I am deeply committed to reducing recidivism and creating more equitable policies that allow marginalized families upward socioeconomic mobility. During my academic journey, I wrote my honors thesis on the marginalization within the Housing Choice Voucher program, (Section 8) critically examining how it can better incorporate and enforce policies that ensure equal access and opportunities for those it is designed to support. My research highlighted the systemic barriers faced by vulnerable populations and fueled my drive to advocate for structural change. In addition to my academic work, my own lived experience has profoundly shaped my passion for social justice. Having witnessed the challenges faced by underserved communities, I am dedicated to advocating for policies that not only address the root causes of recidivism but ensure that marginalized families have the support they need to thrive and build a better future.
Legislative Updates: Fighting for Stronger Tenant Protections
The Oregon Legislature is in session until June, and some of our strongest allies have introduced critical bills to expand tenant protections.HB2967 2025 Regular Session - Oregon Legislative Information System
Banning Predatory Application & Screening Fees - HB 2967
For years, Eugene Tenant Alliance has pushed for application fee reform. We are still waiting to see if the Oregon Supreme Court will accept or reject the landlord’s appeal regarding our hard-fought $10 cap on application fees for the City of Eugene.
Meanwhile, Representative Gamba, one of the few renters in the legislature, and Representative Chaichi have introduced a bill to ban rental application fees outright. This follows a bipartisan workgroup in which landlords and advocates weighed options, including a universal, transferable application. While landlords opposed all reforms, they preferred a full ban on application fees over a standardized application system.
A public hearing on the application fee ban is scheduled for Monday, February 17, from 1:00 – 2:30 PM. I will be testifying in person, and we’re asking you to submit written testimony in support. Use our template testimony here, and submit it here, or email it to EugeneTenantAlliance@gmail.com, and I will submit it on your behalf. We also need folks to fire off emails to members of the Housing Committee. Please use this email template.
Other Bills We’re Watching:
Senate Bill 722 (Sen. Gorsek) – This bill would:
Ban price-fixing algorithms like RealPage, which large landlords like Greystar use to coordinate rent hikes. Oregon has joined the lawsuit against these companies. We need legislation banning this activity in our state.
Reduce the new construction rent stabilization loophole from 15 years to 7 years. We saw $300-$800 rent hikes on these properties in 2022-2025. (in a single 12 month period)
This ensures buildings that receive some public funding sources (e.g., through MUPTE) do not see steep rent hikes at the 10-year mark when affordability covenants expire.
House Bill 3054 – Strengthening protections for manufactured home park residents:
Caps rent increases to inflation (CPI), eliminating the 7% + inflation loophole calculation for manufactured park & marina residents.
Targets large Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), which have shifted focus from buying single-family homes to acquiring manufactured home parks, leading to aggressive rent hikes. See recent parks listed for sale here.
Consumer protections for park residents are often followed by protections for more traditional renters. We must stand with our allies and neighbors at the Oregon State Tenant Association.
This bill has broad support, including the House and Senate leadership. We’ll be advocating for its passage alongside our other priorities.
Fighting Landlord Rollbacks - Bills we Oppose
I will also be tracking landlord-backed bills that attempt to gut tenant protections, including efforts to:
Weaken rent stabilization laws
Rollback eviction protections
Reinstate no-cause evictions
HB 2305 is a bad bill for tenants that is set for a hearing on Monday. The landlords have piled on to support it - here is a testimony template for opposition testimony if anyone can submit opposition - Link to testimony template for OPPOSITION to HB 2305 - ROLLING BACK TENANT PROTECTIONS (Public Hearing date is Monday, February 17th, in House Committee on Housing and Homelessness, at 1 pm
To register to testify AGAINST this bill, either remotely via Zoom or in person at the Capitol, go to this link. Written testimony should ideally be submitted electronically BEFORE 1 pm on Monday the 17th,
Here is where you can SUBMIT YOUR TESTIMONY (be sure to select HB 2305 and OPPOSE)
We know that rent hikes and evictions are direct drivers of homelessness. Eugene Tenant Alliance is committed to protecting and expanding Oregon’s tenant protections.
How You Can Help
We need volunteers to help during the legislative session! If you have time to assist with testimony, outreach, or research, please reach out to EugeneTenantAlliance@gmail.com.
Additionally, we’ve dug up our old video to help you track and follow bills in the legislature via email updates. You can find it here.
Today’s three critical actions
Send an email using our template to the House Housing Committee
Write testimony in support of banning application fees. Use this template. Submit it here.
Write Testimony against rolling back tenant protections. Submit it here.
Local Elections Matter: More Tenants in Government
Elections are coming up in May, and tenants remain severely underrepresented in local government. In Eugene, City Councilor Matt Keating and EWEB Commissioner Timothy Morris are among the only renters in government. We need more tenant voices in decision-making positions!
If you’re thinking about running for School Board, Lane Community College Board, or even local district seats, we want to support you. Click here to view the entire roster of local offices up for election this May. Eugene Tenant Alliance is committed to helping tenants run for office, and we have a strong network of tenant leaders ready to share their experiences and mentor you.
Let’s keep building tenant power together!
In solidarity,
Adriana G
Eugene Tenant Alliance