Governor Kate Brown has announced that she has extended Oregon’s residential mortgage foreclosure moratorium until December 31, 2021.

The moratorium is allegedly meant to prevent Oregonians who own their homes from losing their homes to foreclosure if they have lost income and been unable to pay their mortgage during the COVID-19 pandemic. House Bill 2009 authorized the governor to extend the mortgage foreclosure moratorium period for two successive three-month periods beyond June 30.

The Governor previously issued Executive Order 21-14, extending the moratorium until September 30, 2021. The extension until December 31 is the last extension allowed under House Bill 2009.

“As we continue to see record high numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations driven by the Delta surge, I am committed to ensuring that Oregonians have a warm, dry, safe place to live during this pandemic," said Governor Brown. "Extending the temporary residential foreclosure moratorium another three months will prevent removal of Oregonians from their homes by foreclosure, which would result in serious health, safety, welfare, and financial consequences, and which would undermine key efforts to prevent spread of COVID-19."

Governor Brown claims that extending House Bill 2009’s foreclosure moratorium will also provide relief to mortgagors that are leasing property to residential tenants, allowing landlords needed flexibility to continue to work with tenants who are struggling to pay rent.

Oregonians who have fallen behind on their mortgages during the pandemic are encouraged to contact a housing counselor in their community. A list of housing counselors in communities across Oregon is available here.

On June 25, 2021, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 278, which provides tenants a 60-day safe-harbor period from eviction for nonpayment of rent. In Multnomah County, the safe harbor period is 90 days. The 60-day safe-harbor period for each tenant begins when they provide their landlords with proof that they have applied for rental assistance. The program is offered to all eligible renters regardless of immigration status.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-08-16 14:29:11

Last Update: 2021-08-16 15:07:32