TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Councilor Mai Vang, Ward 6
SUBJECT:
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Motion from Councilor Mai Vang regarding renter protection.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
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MOTION:
I move that City Council direct staff to research legal methods of renter protection and present options for council consideration.
DISCUSSION:
City staff should also include a summary of the state of renting in Salem, focusing on main challenges and efforts to address those challenges, including percentage of renters who are rent-burdened or extremely rent-burdened.
Oregon has several statutes regarding rent such as ORS 90.323 and 90.600 which limit rent increases to 7% a year, subject to exceptions; and ORS 91.225 which prohibits local governments from establishing their own rent control ordinances.
Here in Salem, the City must plan for 23,355 new housing units through for the period of 2015 to 2035. This growth necessitates a diverse array of housing types affordable across income. Salem Housing Production Strategy, page 13, City of Salem, May 2025.
Between 2014 and 2024, Salem’s average multifamily asking rent increased 53% from $933 per month to $1,428 per month, excluding utilities. Salem Housing Production Strategy, page 13, City of Salem, May 2025.
About 37% of households in Salem pay more than 30% of their income on housing. Over half of renter households in Salem experience cost burden (51%), compared with 25% of owner households. Salem Housing Production Strategy, page 16, City of Salem, May 2025.
A household is defined as cost burdened if their housing costs exceed 30% of their gross income. Salem Housing Production Strategy, page 16, City of Salem, May 2025.
A household that spends 50% or more of their gross income on housing costs in said to be severely cost burdened. Salem Housing Production Strategy, page 16, City of Salem, May 2025.
One of the most effective and equitable ways to provide housing is to keep people in their existing housing. By exploring rental protections for all residents including but not limited to working-class families, seniors, Latino community, Micronesian community, college students, and people with disabilities, the City can be better equipped to address the issues with tangible solution.
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Attachments:
None.