Multnomah County commissioners voted Thursday to extend a state of emergency declaration by three months, with an end date now set for July 9. The declaration, prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, was previously scheduled to end Friday.

The county state of emergency, which has been in effect since March 11, allows the county to request state aid, authorizes county officials to perform emergency services and other actions.

County actions taken during the declaration so far have included temporarily banning residential landlords from evicting tenants who can’t afford rent due to COVID-19-related impacts and opening almost 400 beds in community centers and the Oregon Convention Center for people experiencing homelessness.

County officials said Thursday that they also have provided $100,000 in vouchers to shelter domestic violence victims and their families in motels. Julie Sullivan-Springhetti, a county spokesperson, said she didn’t immediately know how many families have been helped.

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The county eviction moratorium allows eligible renters up to six months from the end of the state of emergency to repay all the accrued rent they owe. The county rule calls for renters to inform their landlords on or before the day rent is due that they need to have their payment deferred.

Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury told The Oregonian/OregonLive that the county is considering modifying the moratorium to instead require tenants to notify landlords “as soon as reasonably possible,” mirroring language in the statewide moratorium.

She said the proposed change may come before the county board of commissioners for approval next week.

Portland has also extended its state of emergency declaration to April 23. The city’s declaration has been in effect since March 12.

As of Thursday, Oregon has more than 1,300 confirmed cases of people infected with coronavirus and 44 people have died.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com | 503-221-8343 |@EvertonBailey

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