Salem, OR – Oregon has taken a significant step to address the barriers that past evictions create for renters, particularly in areas facing housing instability. A recent move by the Oregon Judicial Department erased eviction records for over 8,000 renters in the Salem area, helping to clear a critical obstacle to securing new housing. This action follows a state law passed in 2023, which mandates that courts void and seal eviction records under certain conditions.
The law applies to cases where tenants have paid the rent they owed and at least five years have passed since the eviction order. As a result, tenants who meet these criteria will no longer have evictions appear on background checks, offering them a fresh start when looking for housing. The Oregon Judicial Department stated that, “these evictions will no longer show up in background checks and, legally, the evictions never happened.”
The initial round of relief in December sealed nearly 7,000 eviction records in Marion County and over 1,000 in Polk County. In total, 47,000 records have been sealed statewide, with an ongoing review of approximately 50,000 more cases. Court staff are expected to complete this process by the end of the year, with plans to repeat the process annually, as required by the law.
For many renters, having an eviction on their record presents a nearly insurmountable barrier to securing housing. Jimmy Jones, executive director of the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, highlighted that past evictions are one of the primary obstacles renters face, alongside recent criminal convictions. Jones, whose organization is the largest provider of homeless services in the Salem area, said removing eviction records could help individuals regain access to stable housing. “Sealing those records creates an enormous public good, because it allows us to house people who just a few years ago would not have been able to be housed,” he noted.
This new law also comes at a time when Oregon’s housing crisis is worsening. A recent report from the state Housing and Community Services Department revealed that more than half of renters in Oregon spend at least 30% of their income on rent, with a quarter of households spending 50% or more. This financial strain, exacerbated by rising rent prices, increases the likelihood of eviction, which in turn exacerbates homelessness. The report also highlighted a critical shortage of affordable housing, with 4.2 households competing for every apartment affordable to extremely low-income renters.
The law’s provisions also include extending the period during which tenants can make rent payments to avoid eviction—from 72 hours to 10 days—and require that eviction notices include information about payment assistance. This change gives tenants additional time and resources to avoid court proceedings. Sybil Hebb, legislative advocacy director of the Oregon Law Center, praised the new law for providing tenants with more time to find assistance and prevent eviction. She also pointed out that if tenants make a payment before facing eviction, the case will now be dismissed, and landlords are no longer allowed to refuse payments from rent assistance providers.
In addition to helping low-income individuals, the law addresses the disproportionate impact of housing instability on marginalized communities. Hebb testified that rent burdens particularly affect Black, Indigenous, and people of color, as well as seniors, people with disabilities, and women. These groups are more likely to face higher rates of eviction and homelessness, and they often struggle to find affordable housing.
As the state continues to face a growing housing crisis, the recent measures reflect a shift in how Oregon approaches eviction and housing stability. By sealing eviction records and extending payment assistance options, the state is working to ensure that renters are not permanently locked out of the housing market due to past financial struggles.
For tenants impacted by the new law, the Oregon Judicial Department’s website provides detailed information on eligibility, how to check if their eviction record has been sealed, and how to request a copy of the removal order. The information is available in multiple languages, including Spanish, Russian, Korean, Traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese, making it accessible to a broader range of tenants.
This law marks a pivotal moment in Oregon’s effort to tackle housing instability, offering hope to thousands of renters who can now start fresh and access stable housing opportunities.
