City of Portland Mayor Kate Snyder asks landlords to help tenants remain in their homes during crisis by creating payment plans

Mayor Snyder Issues Guidance to Keep People Housed During COVID-19 Pandemic

PORTLAND, Maine — Portland Mayor Kate Snyder issued the following guidance to help keep people housed during the COVID-19 pandemic given the need for safe housing during this public health and economic crisis. The courts are currently closed at this time and no evictions are on the dockets for the foreseeable future.

“While I’ve been reassuring people that evictions are not happening now due to the closure of courts, I’d like to ask landlords for their cooperation during this time, and for several months following the recovery, to work with renters as we all manage our way through this crisis,” said Mayor Snyder. “It’s imperative to ensure that our residents are housed and protected, as many are facing unforeseen changes in their employment and income status.”

Mayor Snyder had a conversation with Southern Maine Landlord Association President, Brit Vitalius, during which he emphasized the importance of communication between tenants and landlords, “It’s critical that tenants and landlords are communicating with each other so that they can achieve agreement about how to weather the coming weeks and months together.”

Mayor Snyder is asking for community commitments aligned with guidance from the National Multifamily Housing Council:

• Halt evictions for 90 days for those who can show they have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic;

• No rent increases for 90 days to help residents weather the crisis;

• Create payment plans for residents who are unable to pay their rent because of the outbreak and waive late fees for those residents;

• Identify governmental and community resources to help residents secure food, financial assistance and healthcare and share that information with residents.