In this episode we talk with the executive director of Home Forward, Michael Buonocore, about the history of affordable housing, why there isn’t enough to meet the need, and barriers to making it happen faster. The conversation also includes the role of systemic racism on housing and homelessness, what a housing wage looks like and a few thoughts on NIMBYs.
In the second half of the show, we talk with Becky Straus and Emily Rena-Dozier who co-run Oregon Law Center’s Eviction Defense Project, which provides free legal help and representation to anyone facing an eviction in Oregon. Straus is the Managing Attorney for the EDP and Rena-Dozier supports and mentors legal aid attorneys statewide on housing law cases. In this episode they talk about illegal evictions, the need for representation in an unjust system and their work to help all those who need it. Tenants facing eviction can reach their team at (888) 585-9638 or at oregonlawcenter.org/eviction-defense-project.
Recommended Reading:
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Oregon Eviction Defense Project for free help with an eviction
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Eviction rights handbook and video for tenants
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City of Portland State of Housing Reports
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“Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” by Matthew Desmond
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Shelter Force article on Real Estate firms taking federal aid and evicting tenants anyway
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New York Times article on federal rental assistance Evictions
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Racial Disparities Among Extremely Low-Income Renters- NLIHC
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Race and Homelessness Research
- KBOO