Week of Action to Roll Back The Rent!

The effects of rising rent costs and homelessness can be felt in every corner of Oregon right now. While we have been in a Renters’ State of Emergency for years, the recent increase in the rent cap to 14.6% especially on the heels of the pandemic and record inflation has put even more tenants on the edge. 

Senate Bill 611 lowers the rent cap to  3% + Consumer Price Index, but sets a maximum increase at 8% no matter the CPI. 

The bill is scheduled for its first public hearing, Monday, March 27th at 8:00am in the Oregon Legislature’s Housing Committee, and we want to make sure our elected officials hear from Tenants, and Tenant Advocates directly about why passing this legislation is so critical.

The Community Alliance of Tenants has planned a Week of Action to bolster Tenant voices ahead of this first hearing – take a look and find out how you can support us in rolling back the rent! 

Math Monday

You were told there would be no math! But this is personal. Using our Rent Increase Calculator tool, you can instantly find out how much the current rent cap of 14.6% would cost you today. Just enter how much you pay for rent each month, and our calculator will tell you how much this hike would cost you. Once you’ve got your number take a screenshot and tag Community Alliance of Tenants on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #RollBackRent and #YesOnSB611.

Talk About It Tuesday

Tell your legislators why this is important. Take your personal rent increase and tell your legislator what it is using our quick and easy letter tool. Let them know that

 to prevent high-rent homelessness, we must stop rent gouging and lower the rent cap by passing Senate Bill 611. Click below to instantly send a letter to your elected officials using this letter template developed by our coalition partners at Stable Homes for Oregon Families – and if you’re up to it – personalize it a bit before sending it off! 

Use the tool here: https://www.stablehomesor.org/email-your-lawmakers


Work Session Wednesday 

Members of the Housing Committee will be gearing up for next week’s hearing — call them and tell them they must pass Senate Bill 611. 

CAT will be hosting a virtual call party to flood their offices with messages in support of rolling back the rent. Join us live on Zoom, Wednesday, March 23rd at 2:30pm where CAT staff will support you in shaping your message to call down members of the committee!


Registration is required - Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErduqrqTopGNG7L6Lu3iZhM6vSXUpkG3Yv


Senate Housing Committee Members:

Senator Tim Knopp has publicly said it is his mission to kill this bill. Make sure he hears us loud and clear: Renters in Oregon need SB 611.

Twitter Spaces Thursday 

Join us for a live conversation on Twitter Spaces with the Eviction Representation for All campaign on eviction data in Oregon, and how lowering the rent cap will keep people housed! Tag members of the Housing Committee during the conversation to make sure they know we are serious about passing this bill! Find the conversation on CAT’s Twitter at twitter.com/catoregon.

Thursday, March 23rd 2-3pm (discussion will be recorded)



Phone Tree Friday

Make a list of at least three people you know; friends, family, co-workers or other and ask them if they know about SB 611 and ask them to submit written testimony to the state Housing Committee in support of the bill, here through Oregon Legislative Information System. 


Other ideas for #TenantWeekofAction

  • Banner Drop ; design a banner with friends and neighbors, and go post it up in a public place like a freeway overpass, a park or anywhere else it can be seen. Ideas for messages: Yes On Senate Bill 611, Roll Back  Rent

  • Make A Sign - grab some paper or cardboard and get crafty, and design a message showing your support of SB 611 and post it where it can be seen - the window of your home, yard, car or somewhere else visible!

-Team CAT

Donovan Scribes