Overview

The Evicted in Oregon research team conducted focus groups with Latine immigrants and farmworkers in Multnomah, Washington, and Marion Counties to gain insight into their experiences with eviction and understand how they navigated through evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through these discussions, we identified three patterns that are unique to the experiences of Latine immigrants and farmworkers who face eviction: mistreatment by landlords, fear of involvement with the legal system, and navigating unfamiliar procedures that have negative impacts on their health and family. 

Key Findings

Most Latine immigrant and farmworker tenants mentioned language barriers and substandard housing conditions when describing their eviction experiences. Tenants shared that landlords issue leasing contracts and termination notices in English, resulting in an incomplete understanding of their tenancy. Some participants shared unsafe and substandard housing conditions, such as leaky roofs and no access to utilities, that put the health and safety of families at risk. 

Some tenants shared their fears of coming into contact with the legal system. Parents fear deportation, contact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement at court, and family separation upon receiving a termination notice. Tenants feel forced to tolerate unsafe housing conditions out of fear of coming into contact with the legal system. 

Tenants report that navigating the eviction process causes them stress, depression, and physical health concerns like headaches and sleep deprivation. Parents worry about providing food for their children, financial security, and the well-being of their children while navigating eviction. 

Our report indicates that eviction is incredibly challenging for Latine immigrants and farmworkers who fear that eviction could lead to contact with the legal system and cause deportation and family separation. Our study also reveals that even when tenants receive rental assistance, additional support is necessary to alleviate concerns about engaging with and navigating the complex legal system. Considering their fear of legal system involvement during evictions, support systems must effectively address these intertwined needs related to housing challenges, language barriers, and immigration status. Statewide Tenant Right to Counsel, rental assistance, and Eviction Navigation programs could help limit the fear of system involvement and reduce the negative impacts of housing instability that Latine immigrants and farmworker tenants experience in the face of eviction. 

General Information:

Researchers: Natalie J. Cholula,; Lisa K. Bates, Alex Farrington; Marisa Zapata; Jacen Greene; Azad Amir-Ghassemi; and Colleen Carroll.

Funding: Portland Housing Bureau, Oregon Housing and Community Services. Unless otherwise specifically stated, the views and opinions expressed in the report are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Portland Housing Bureau or Oregon Housing and Community Services.

Citation: Cholula, Natalie J.; Bates, Lisa K.; Farrington, Alex.; Zapata, Marisa.; Greene, Jacen; Amir-Ghassemi, Azad; Carroll, Colleen. (2024). "Unjust and Unsafe: The Eviction Experiences of Latine Immigrant and Farmworker Tenants in Oregon." https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/42266