OAR 813 § 813-115-0010
Definitions
Operative Text
Terms used throughout this Division (OAR 813-115) may be defined in Oregon Revised Statute (ORS 456.766) or in the OHCS General Definitions (OAR 813-005-0005). Terms used within this division observe those definitions, except as defined below: (1) “Affordable rental housing” means dwelling units that are rented with or without government assistance to households that earn 80 percent or less of area median income as determined by OHCS using United States Department of Housing and Urban Development information or that otherwise meet the definition of publicly supported housing found in ORS 456.766(6). (2) “Designee” means a person or entity, appointed by OHCS through a written agreement, who acts as a qualified purchaser of the participating property on OHCS’ behalf, they are a party to a notice of right of first refusal executed by OHCS under ORS 456.814. (3) “Property” as used within the definition of “participating property” in ORS 456.766 means a multifamily rental housing development, which includes one or more buildings, may have an associated common area, and may be located on a consolidated or scattered site. (4) "Prospective tenant" means any person that has expressed interest in renting or leasing a property and is being considered by the landlord or property manager, but has not yet signed a lease or rental agreement. (5) “Publicly supported housing” means a multifamily rental housing development of five or more units that receives or benefits from government assistance under: (a) A contract for rent assistance from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the United States Department of Agriculture or the Housing and Community Services Department that contains an affordability restriction; or (b) A contract that is for any other type of government assistance or subsidy that includes an affordability restriction and that is identified in any direct development subsidy or General Housing Account Program (GHAP) subsidy program that has affordability restrictions required by it by the Housing and Community Services Department. (6) “Safe harbor” as used in ORS 456.788(2)(b) means that for residential tenancies that existed on the termination date of a contract with OHCS, and beginning on the termination date and lasting for a period of three years, the owner or landlord of formerly publicly supported housing: (a) May not terminate the tenancy under ORS 90.427(3)(b), (4)(b) or (5). (b) May not provide a rent increase notice more than once in a calendar year. (c) Shall comply with ORS 90.323 and with requirements adopted by OHCS and applicable to affordable rental housing managed by OHCS that govern rent increases, including requirements related to rent increase limits, required notices or approval or review by OHCS.
OAR 813-115-0010 establishes the working definitions that govern Oregon's publicly supported housing rules under OAR 813-115. Key terms include 'affordable rental housing' (units rented to households earning 80% or less of area median income), 'publicly supported housing' (multifamily developments of five or more units receiving government assistance with affordability restrictions), and 'safe harbor,' which describes a three-year protective period for existing tenants after a property's OHCS contract ends. During that safe harbor window, landlords face specific restrictions on no-cause terminations and rent increases.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under OAR 813-115-0010, operators of multifamily rental properties that receive or have received OHCS assistance should be familiar with how terms like 'publicly supported housing' and 'safe harbor' apply to their portfolio. When a contract with OHCS terminates, compliant operators generally refrain from issuing more than one rent increase notice per calendar year and avoid no-cause termination notices of the types listed in ORS 90.427 for the three-year safe harbor period. Operators also typically ensure that any rent increases during that period conform to ORS 90.323 and any additional OHCS requirements governing affordable rental housing.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
OAR 813-115-0010 defines a 'safe harbor' period that may protect tenants living in formerly publicly supported housing after their building's OHCS contract ends. For three years following that termination date, the rule limits how often a landlord may raise rent and restricts certain types of no-cause eviction notices under ORS 90.427. Tenants who believe these protections apply to their situation may contact the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department or a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options, including raising a potential violation as a defense in an eviction proceeding.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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