The Libbytown Neighborhood Association is concerned about news of evictions in Portland, most recently from 31-33 Frederic St.

The purpose of this letter is to express our concern for our neighbors, and let you know that as a neighborhood association, we care about our resident’s whose voices may not always be heard.

Specifics of the recent cases aside, evictions pose grave consequences for individuals, families and communities. The economic and traumatic effects of an eviction are not easy to overcome, and often send people into deeper poverty. Evicted tenants lose their home, and are at risk to lose their possessions, their neighborhood, their children’s schools and possibly their livelihoods.

In a tight market, displaced renters might have no option but to move into homeless shelters – which are already above capacity – or to outdoor camps.

While we do want properties invested in and maintained, we feel there are ways to do this that do not displace current residents.

We urge the city to work with tenants, landlords, schools, neighborhood organizations and social services to ensure that people are not evicted unfairly or solely for the purpose of economic gain. We hope that Portland takes the lead when it comes to solving problems caused by evictions without just-cause. While we realize that much of Portland’s affordable housing stock is substandard, there should nevertheless be safeguards for low-income residents, vulnerable populations, refugees and asylum seekers whose options may be limited.

Nicole Anderson

President, Libbytown Neighborhood Association

Portland

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