Housing Justice Program
Organizing for more affordable housing and better protections for tenants

At CAT we are organizing to end the housing injustice that impacts low-income renters on a daily basis. 

We are organizing low-income tenants and our allies to win new funding to save existing affordable housing and develop new affordable housing.  At the same time we are organizing to improve protections for tenants under state law. 

What is current in the Housing Justice Program?
Make sure to also check out the Safe Housing Program (make link) for more information on our work to improve housing conditions in Portland.
Organizing for more affordable housing:
Renters in Oregon face a devastating affordable housing shortage:
- One in four Oregonians pay more than half of their income for rent.
- In 2004-05, over 11,000 students in Oregon’s k-12 schools were homeless.
- In 2005, a minimum wage worker in Oregon had to work 72 hours a week to afford a two-bedroom apartment.

Despite the magnitude of the housing crisis in Oregon, we can and must create safe, stable, affordable housing for everyone. 
- Renters in Oregon should be able to afford housing and still have enough money left for groceries and other basic necessities.
- Children deserve the opportunity to succeed in school and life, which is tied to having a stable home.
- Housing gives people the opportunity to build better lives.  To succeed you need a place to call home.
- It’s only fair that everyone has a safe and decent place to live.

At CAT we are active in collaborative, local and statewide campaigns to secure more resource for affordable housing through Affordable Housing NOW! and the Housing Alliance.  To get involved in CAT’s organizing efforts for affordable housing email Ian or call 503.460.9702

Affordable Housing NOW!
Through Affordable Housing NOW!, we are organizing low-income tenants and tenant allies to win an on-going and substantial stream of funding for affordable housing in the Portland metro area.  Click here for more information on AHN!  http://www.cdnportland.org/ahn.html

Housing Alliance
The Housing Alliance is a statewide coalition that brings together tenants, advocates, local governments, housing authorities, community development corporations, environmentalists, service providers, business interests and all others dedicated to increasing the resources available to meet Oregon’s housing needs through support for a common statewide legislative and policy agenda.

In the last legislative session the Housing Alliance secured over $26 million in new funding for affordable housing and won stronger protections for tenants facing displacement due to condo conversions. Click here for more information on the Housing Alliance. http://www.oregonhousingalliance.org.

Organizing for better protections for Oregon’s renters:
Make sure to also check out the Safe Housing Program (make link) for more information on our work to improve housing conditions and protections for tenants in Portland.
At the state level, CAT works to win better protections for tenants in two ways: 
1) CAT participates in Landlord/Tenant negotiations that take place each legislative session to address changes to the State’s landlord/tenant act, and
2) CAT supports legislative proposals to protect tenants through our work in the statewide Housing Alliance.  In the last legislative session the Housing Alliance won new protections for tenants facing displacement due to condo conversions.
To get involved in CAT’s statewide organizing for better tenant protections or call 503.460.9702.