Getting Involved with Us
Renter Stability Education Program / Housing Justice Program / Safe Housing Program / Administration / Join CAT
Renter Stability Education Program
The Renter Stability Education Program (RSEP) is almost entirely run by volunteers, and we're always looking for more folks to come and get involved. RSEP volunteers answer calls from tenants on the Renters' Rights Hotline, help lead workshops in the community about renters' rights, and staff tables at events in our communities to help spread the word about what CAT does. CAT provides volunteers with plenty of training and support, so all you need to start with is a little extra time and an interest in helping other tenants learn about and stand up for their rights! Interested? Got questions? Email Ari or call (503) 460-9702 to sign up.
Learn more about the Renter Stability Education Program.
Housing Justice Program (Return to Top)
CAT's Housing Justice Program is the home of our issue organizing work, particularly our work related to the lack of affordable housing and just-cause eviction. It's CAT members working to change laws and policies that negatively affect Oregon's renters.
Get involved and become a leader by joining the Housing Justice Committee (HJC)! Through the HJC you will help lead CAT's advocacy and issue organizing work-there will opportunities for giving testimony, designing campaigns, conducting research and more. The HJC meets every other month, 2nd Tuesdays from 6:30-8pm at CAT's office. Directions to CAT are here.
Email Karen or call her at (503) 460-1960 to get involved-all tenants and CAT supporters are welcome. Let me know if you need childcare, wheelchair access or any other accommodations.
We are also seeking tenants and others to get active in Affordable Housing NOW!, a growing movement of individuals and organizations acting to address the Portland metropolitan region's affordable housing shortage and the devastating impact it has on our families and communities. For more information on how to join the AHN! Speaker's Bureau or sign their declaration, click here. Email Karen or call (503) 460-1960 for more information.
Learn more about the Housing Justice Program here.
Safe Housing Project (Return to Top)
CAT does building based organizing through the Safe Housing Project (SHP) by using traditional grassroots organizing tactics. Large multi family unit apartment complexes in Portland where tenants are experiencing serious problems getting repairs made. The SHP provides education and support to tenants' about their rights as renters and effective strategies that tenants can collectively take to get repairs made. SHP staff and volunteers provide door-to-door building outreach; facilitate tenants' meetings; public speaking training; leadership skills development; coordinating collective action; and expertise in Oregon's tenant-landlord laws and the City of Portland's Property Maintenance code. A wide range of volunteer opportunities are available for people wanting to get involved in helping local tenants organize for safe housing.
- Spanish speaking volunteers are always needed in all areas.
- Door knocking
- Meeting and personal interpretation-English/Spanish
- Help facilitate tenants meeting and Renters' Rights workshops
- Reminder calls
- Send out mailings
- Building research
- Tenant interviews
- Create fliers, postcards, mailings
Some volunteer opportunities can be done from home. Email Elisa if you want to get involved in the Safe Housing Project or call 503-460-9702.
Learn more about the Safe Housing Project.
Administrative Support (Return to Top)
Cat needs lots of "behind the scenes" volunteers too. Here are just a few things that we need help with on a regular basis. Some volunteer opportunities can be done from home.
Email Ari if you want to in helping do some of the "behind the scenes work that helps CAT or call 503-460-9702.
- Data entry
- Making phone calls- don't worry, we give you what you need to know!
- General office support- filing, assembling mailings, etc.
- Database experts- we use MS Access
- Tech support in general
- Interpretation and translation- especially Spanish, but other languages also!
- Newsletter and related publication/design
Join CAT! (Return to Top)
Become a member of CAT and join us and our thousands of members and supporters in demanding for safe, stable, and affordable housing. CAT is winning important victories for Oregon tenants. The more members we have, the more power we have to make change. If you are interested in becoming a member you can call us at 503-460-9702 or click here.
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