Eugene City Council will soon be considering changes to the rental housing code as part of Phase 3 of the Renters Protections. We are advocating for the inclusion of the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) in these reforms. The goal of this petition is to raise awareness about TOPA and demonstrate wide support across the city for this critical policy.

Read more about TOPA and its benefits here

Sign the petition below if you agree with the following statement:

We the undersigned call on the Eugene City Council to include the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) in the Phase 3 renter protections. TOPA empowers tenants by giving them the first right to purchase their residences when the property owner decides to sell. This policy helps prevent displacement, promotes community stability, and fosters wealth-building opportunities, particularly for low-income and marginalized communities. Given the severe housing affordability crisis in Eugene, implementing TOPA is a vital step toward fighting gentrification and preserving affordable housing and ensuring the well-being of our residents.

Some additional info about Eugene's rental market and the need for TOPA:

• There are currently apartment buildings in Eugene listed for sale at under $120k a unit. ($849/mo. at 7.6% interest) TOPA represents an affordable opportunity for renters to gain access to homeownership. In comparison, an entry level single-family dwelling in Eugene starts north of $300k ($2139/mo. at 7.6% interest)
• TOPA allows tenants to assign their purchase rights to a 3rd party community based organization, allowing tenants to choose to remain renters and preserve their affordable home by partnering with a nonprofit.
• TOPA is instrumental in preserving diversity in neighborhoods undergoing gentrification. By empowering tenants, particularly in marginalized communities, to have a say in the fate of their housing, TOPA supports broader goals of racial equity and community stability.
  
• Oregon already has a TOPA law for manufactured home parks. Additionally, it has played a significant role in preserving affordable housing in Washington D.C., enhancing living conditions, and curbing displacement.
• We have a local TOPA success story - residents in Glenwood bought the Patrician Park and it's now called the Filbert Grove Coop.
  
• TOPA Rights only trigger when a landlord decides to sell and that the property is always sold at market rate.
  

Including TOPA in the Phase 3 protections will help address these issues by providing tenants with a democratic voice in their housing future and helping to maintain the affordability and quality of rental properties in our city.

This petition was put together by a group of neighbors, housing advocates, and concerned citizens advocating to pass the TOPA reform. This coalition currently includes, Eugene Tenant Alliance, Springfield Eugene Tenant Association, Square One Villages, CASA of Oregon, the Student's Cooperative Association (SCA) and many other Eugene community based groups.

Petition Statement: I support the inclusion of the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) in Eugene's Phase 3 renter protections. This policy will empower tenants, prevent displacement, and promote community stability by giving tenants the first right to purchase their residences when the property owner decides to sell. Implementing TOPA is essential for addressing Eugene's housing affordability crisis and ensuring the well-being of our residents.