Are you facing an eviction or struggling to pay rent?

Before we go into the weeds: Oregon Law Center represents people facing eviction, for free. Call 888-585-9638 or email evictiondefense@oregonlawcenter.org.

Oregon's eviction process moves fast but not instantly. Here's what typically happens:

1. You got a notice (10 to 13 days for nonpayment, longer for other types)
2. If you don't respond, landlord files in court (called a "Forcible Entry and Detainer" or FED action)
3. You get a court summons, usually a first appearance in the morning docket
4. You have the RIGHT to show up and defend yourself
5. Judgment only happens after the hearing, and you can pay off nonpayment ANY time before judgment

Source: ORS Chapter 105, Forcible Entry and Wrongful Detainer | Oregon Judicial Department, Eviction

If this is nonpayment, rental assistance might save your tenancy. A few places to start:

• Short-Term Rent Assistance (STRA): STRA is Multnomah County's main rent-help program, run by Home Forward for Portland, Gresham, and the rest of the county. It can cover back rent, deposits, and move-in costs for people at risk of losing their housing. You do not apply to Home Forward directly, you get connected through a partner agency. Call 2-1-1 or visit 211info.org to find the STRA agency nearest you and start.
• Coordinated Housing Access Team (CHAT): If you are a single adult or an adult-only household with no minor children, CHAT is Multnomah County's coordinated front door to housing help. One assessment connects you to many programs at once, including rent assistance, rapid rehousing, and supportive housing. Call the CHAT hotline at 844-765-9384. For a culturally specific assessment, the BIPOC CHAT line is 503-280-2600, option 3.
• St. Vincent de Paul: A long-running, church-based emergency assistance program that can help cover a portion of past-due rent. Their rent and utility info line runs Monday through Thursday, 9:30am to 1pm, at 503-235-8431 (svdppdx.org/how-to-apply). Help is limited, so call early.
• Oregon Eviction Prevention Rapid Response (EPRR): 833-746-8167 or pplfirst.com. Have your active court case number ready.
• Washington County: rental assistance is available at the courthouse during your first appearance.
• Clackamas County: Clackamas Housing Authority, 503-655-8575.
• CLEAR Clinic drop-in: This free legal clinic holds Friday drop-in hours (currently noon to 4pm at 537 SE Ash St in Portland). Beyond eviction expungement and other legal help, they can sometimes connect you to additional rent-assistance programs. Check current times at clear-clinic.org.

Don't move out yet. Don't sign anything your landlord hands you. Don't leave the unit during the process. Landlords cannot:

• Change the locks
• Shut off utilities
• Remove your stuff
• Physically remove you

If they do any of that, you can sue for 2x rent or 2x damages.

Source: ORS 90.375, Effect of unlawful ouster or exclusion

The most important call you make today is to Oregon Law Center (888-585-9638 / evictiondefense@oregonlawcenter.org). They represent people facing eviction for free, call them now if you haven't already.