I was incensed to read that as much as $48,000 of Multnomah County tax dollars will be paid to the landlord of the Normandy Apartments in Northeast Portland.
Apparently, the apartments are in such terrible shape that he or she must double the rent on the occupants as soon as possible and the county is stepping in to subsidize the rent so that the children of the families who live there don’t have to change schools this close to the end of the school year.
First of all, how delicate are these kids? Changing schools really isn’t that traumatic. It’s a hardship, at best. I did it all through my childhood.
Second, if the risk of upsetting these children is so great, then the county should pressure the owner to delay the rent increase a few months. That solution wouldn’t cost tax payers anything.
Third, I don’t believe for a minute that this will be a one-time arrangement, as the article claims. Once word gets out that tax dollars can be obtained by holding the mental health of children hostage, there will be no end to rent increases.
This is a dangerous precedent to set. Maybe use the money to fill in these ridiculous potholes instead. They’re dangerous to all tax payers.
— Carlton Tiffin, Northeast Portland
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