New Program Helps Landlords, Good Jobs Help Tenants

Portland landlords are being incentivized to support a new law that provides rent and repairs for low income tenants. The rising economy in Oregon however, is making way for living wage jobs. Those opportunities will allow residents to be able to afford where they live. The I-5 Rose City Improvement project lead by prime contractor Raimore Construction Company helps in the upswing of the local economy.

Multnomah,  Washington, and Clackamas county voters supported Measure 26-210 in May 2020 to prevent people from being put out on the streets. The supportive housing services measure created the “Risk Mitigation Program” which reimburses landlords while the Regional Long-term Rent Assistance (RLRA) program helps low-income tenants cover their rent each month. RLRA-subsidized units in need of repair also qualify. It is being reported that an increasing number of private landlords in the tri-county area have opted into the program.

Some have been critical about the outcomes of past low income housing programs. Some critics say that housing programs have done more to split families and hold people in poverty versus solving the problem through jobs, job training, and entrepreneurship. Many of those same people see programs helping seniors and the disabled as positive. Landlords who already oversee subsidized housing are automatically eligible for the program.

Raimore recently held an event to provide living wage jobs to local residents. The Black-owned general contractor is a leader in engaging diverse community members in its workforce and business procurements. In Portland State University’s Black Business Experience class, Raimore is studied for its prowess in the area of building Black wealth through organic community outreach, education, and entrepreneur support.

On the website for their most recent hiring event, Raimore layed out a telling list for how they attract new workers. They offered people to learn about:

– job opportunities in the trades, construction, transportation, and local government

– living-wage jobs with a high school degree/GED or directly out of college

– earn-as-you-learn job opportunities

– apprenticeships and training

– debt-free career pathways

The Oregon Department of Transportation stated Raimore’s success with the $70 million TriMet Division Transit Project, the largest DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) contract in Oregon history.