Oregon's Bureau of Labor and Industries will be touring the state during the next few months updating landlords on new Section 8 housing rules.
A law recently passed in Oregon makes it illegal to deny housing for someone who qualifies for low income housing known as Section 8. The first of 15 seminars is September 29th in Portland. State Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian says the goal is to inform landlords about the changes so they don't accidently run afoul.
Avakian: "So these seminars are being offered so that they can come, learn what the law is. We're going to give them information on how they can contact HUD and other organizations if they end up with questions in the future. What we hope is everybody understands the law and follows it, and it works out well for landlords and tenants both."
Avakian says landlords who deny housing for someone who qualifies for Section 8 will face a penalty. BOLI will also answer questions about "no pet" policies for tenants with assistant animals. Funding for the seminars was secured through grant funds by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.