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<br /> March 13, 2019, Work Session – Item 1 <br /> <br />In addition, renters reported barriers to accessing housing due to credit scores, income, and ability to pay deposits and application fees. Renters shared that saving the first month’s rent, the last month’s rent, the security deposit (sometimes set at three times the monthly rent), and multiple application fees were significant barriers for accessing housing. In addition, some renters described being “stuck” in substandard housing because they could not afford moving expenses along with the financial requirements to obtain new housing. In addition, numerous renters said that their property managers kept security deposits despite cleaning the unit and leaving it without damage. Other barriers to accessing housing that renters identified included having a criminal background or having pets. Many noted that monthly pet rent is excessive, reporting up to $50 additional per month. Quality – Of the 661 renters who indicated that they are not satisfied with current housing, nearly 38 percent of respondents indicated that the rental home’s condition/habitability/maintenance is substandard. Some renters reported making requests about maintenance, but that maintenance or repair work was not completed. Many renters indicated they were living in substandard housing by choice because it is what they could afford. Multiple renters on the survey and in the listening sessions stated they would not make maintenance requests for fear of receiving a no-cause lease termination (no-cause eviction), or fear of increased rent due to the maintenance performed. Stability – When asked if they had ever been asked or forced to leave a rental home in Eugene, 25 percent indicated they had. Specifically, 128 left due to significant rent increase, 100 people experienced no-cause lease termination (no-cause eviction), 33 reported their rental home was sold, 15 indicated their rental home was foreclosed upon. Others reported that property owners or their family members moved back in, or that they experienced displacement due to renovations being made on the rental home. Awareness and Use of Current Programs – The survey asked renters about their familiarity with current housing resources. Of the 486 renters who answered the question, the majority were familiar with the Eugene Rental Housing Code, nearly a third were familiar with Fair Housing Council of Oregon, and more than a quarter were familiar with the City’s Human Rights Office. Despite knowing about these resources, throughout the survey and listening sessions, renters expressed fear and concern with utilizing them. Renters explained that they were concerned that if they reported housing discrimination, complaints about a landlord, or substandard living environments, they would experience potential retaliation including no-cause lease terminations (no-cause evictions) or rent increases. <br />Potential Next Steps At this time, there are several significant legislative items under consideration at the state level that would impact the issues described above. Staff will review these legislative items as a part of the presentation.