December 13, 2021, Legislature passed in the second special session an extension to the moratorium on evictions for non-payment for tenants who have applied for emergency rental assistance. The housing policy bill, known as Senate Bill 891, was the reason the Governor called the special session.
Tenant that apply for rental assistance and provide documentation to their landlord before June 30, 2022, will have a safe harbor from eviction until September 30, 2022, or until their application is cancelled or denied. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) will prioritize those applications for tenants who applied before December 1, 2021, and cancel applications of tenants that are not responding to their requests. OHCS is now required to notify the landlord if a tenant is denied or an application is cancelled.
This bill also extended the requirement of the 10-day or 14-day Notice to Pay or Vacate for Non-payment of Rent until September 30, 2022. Landlords must send an updated version of the tenant protection letter with these non-payment notices served after the date SB 891 is signed into law by the Governor.