Lane County is considering an extension of the state’s eviction grace-period for tenants from 60 to 90 days. The grace period was enacted by lawmakers before the state’s pandemic eviction moratorium ended on June 30th.
At their Tuesday meeting, county staff told commissioners 60 days isn’t enough for renters to access assistance programs, which face a backlog.
During public comment, Timothy Morris, with Eugene-Springfield Tenants Association, said tenants can submit applications for rent relief then run out of time.
“Yet these renter households are facing evictions from their home through entirely no fault of their own,” Morris said. “This is a timing issue and nothing more. And giving renters more time will ensure that people will not be kicked out to the street, get COVID-19, and/or add to our significantly over burdensome unhoused population.
The board will hold a second reading of the ordinance and a public hearing on November 30th.
If approved, Lane County would become the third county in Oregon to extend the eviction grace period.
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