Oregon Seals 47,000 Eviction Records to Help Renters Overcome Housing Barriers

Oregon Courts Seal 47,000 Past Evictions, Helping People Access Housing

In a significant move to tackle the housing crisis, the Oregon state courts have sealed around 47,000 eviction records, making it easier for people to find stable housing. This action comes after the passing of a 2023 law, House Bill 2001, which aims to remove barriers caused by eviction records that have often made it difficult for people to secure rental housing.

What Does This New Law Mean?

The newly passed law is a crucial step forward in addressing the impact of eviction records on people’s ability to find a place to live. Before the law was enacted, past evictions could show up on background checks, which often led to the denial of rental applications. This made it hard for many tenants, especially those struggling with financial challenges or facing discrimination, to find housing. However, with the passage of House Bill 2001, these evictions are sealed and no longer show up on background checks.

The law targets evictions that took place after January 1, 2014. However, not all eviction records are automatically sealed. The eviction cases must meet specific requirements. For instance, if the tenant did not owe money when the eviction took place, five years must have passed before the case can be sealed. For cases where a monetary award was involved, the judgement must be either paid off, expired, or discharged through bankruptcy court.

Why This Is Important

Sybil Hebb, the director of legislative advocacy for the Oregon Law Center, explained that this move is crucial in providing stability for many Oregonians. “This work will implement current protections under Oregon law,” Hebb said. “It will help a lot of people by removing barriers to housing stability, which is especially critical during this housing crisis.”

The state’s efforts are especially important given the current housing crisis, which has left many individuals and families struggling to find affordable housing. By sealing past eviction records, the Oregon courts are giving people a second chance at securing stable housing.

The Process Behind Sealing the Evictions

The Oregon Judicial Department has been working hard to manually review about 160,000 eviction cases to determine whether they meet the criteria for sealing. As of mid-December, around 47,000 evictions had been sealed. The review process is ongoing, with about 50,000 more cases still left to be reviewed. The department aims to complete this process by the end of 2025, ensuring that those who qualify under the law will benefit from the sealed eviction records.

Each year, new eviction cases will also be reviewed to determine if they meet the criteria for sealing. This ongoing effort ensures that people affected by past evictions continue to have an opportunity to benefit from this law in the future.

How to Find Out if Your Eviction Was Sealed

If you believe your eviction record might have been sealed under this new law, you can find out by visiting the Oregon Judicial Department’s eviction set-asides webpage. There, you can learn more about the eviction process, your rights, and request a copy of your set-aside order. For additional information, tenants can also visit Oregon Law Help, a free legal information website run by the Oregon State Bar, which provides valuable resources on tenants’ rights and legal aid.

The Bigger Picture: Addressing Housing Instability

The passage of House Bill 2001 represents an important step in addressing the broader issue of housing instability in Oregon. For years, eviction records have been a major obstacle for individuals trying to secure stable housing. This new law gives people who may have struggled with evictions in the past a chance to start fresh without being hindered by old records.

The law aims to help thousands of Oregonians who have faced eviction, but who may not have been at fault for the situation or who have since turned their lives around. By sealing eviction records, the law provides individuals with a clean slate, allowing them to move forward and focus on finding housing without the burden of a past eviction weighing them down.

In a time when affordable housing is scarce, this initiative is one of the many steps being taken across the country to tackle the housing crisis and ensure that everyone has a fair shot at securing a home.

Looking Ahead

As Oregon continues to address the housing crisis, efforts like House Bill 2001 represent a growing commitment to making housing more accessible and fair for everyone. The state is taking proactive steps to help people who have faced eviction in the past regain their footing and secure stable housing.

By sealing eviction records, Oregon is helping to level the playing field for renters, ensuring that a past eviction does not automatically exclude someone from finding a home. It’s a move that will have lasting effects, creating a more equitable housing system in the state.

For anyone who has experienced an eviction in Oregon, this law provides hope for a fresh start. With continued work on sealing more cases, Oregon is making strides toward a more inclusive and fair housing system for all.

Disclaimer – Our editorial team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and eliminate any potential misinformation. We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity in our content.

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