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EUGENE, Ore. — Eugene City Council will discuss a proposal on Monday, November 9, that could give tenants an opportunity to purchase their rental housing before properties are sold on the open market.
However, the city manager has recommended holding off on a local policy while awaiting developments at the state level, where a program could have access to more funding.
Eugene Council to Consider Three Tenant Purchase Options
At Monday’s work session, scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., council members will consider three possible approaches to a Tenant Opportunity to Purchase (TOPA) program and provide direction to city staff on next steps.
The council documents outline these options:
- Multi-unit buildings, allowing tenants to pursue shared-equity or affordable housing arrangements, or remain in their homes under negotiated protections such as limits on rent increases and required repairs.
- Affordable housing conversions, focused on turning market-rate housing into affordable housing.
- Low-density properties, including single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes, with the aim of creating homeownership opportunities.
The city manager recommended against pursuing a local program at this time, saying a statewide initiative could give access to more funding. Oregon has already adopted an opportunity-to-purchase program for manufactured dwelling parks.
Housing Costs, Funding Needs and Concerns About Eugene TOPA Implementation
Over 40,000 Eugene households rent their homes, with approximately 57% considered cost-burdened, according to 2024 five-year American Community Survey estimates cited in the council documents.
The city documents report that between 2012 and 2024, median household income increased by 80%, while single-family home prices rose by 139%.
Housing advocates cited in the city’s research mainly supported exploring tenant purchase rights as a way to improve housing stability, but raised concerns about financing and the support tenant associations would need to buy and maintain properties.
Advocates estimated that a city subsidy of about $50,000 per unit could be needed to make a local program viable.
Tidings Data Snapshot
Eugene’s Housing Subsidy ComparisonLocal subsidy per home, as described in the council packet| Program | Per-home amount |
|---|---|
| Possible TOPA program | About $50,000 |
| Existing affordable housing programs | $8,000–$17,000 |
The TOPA amount is an advocates’ estimate, not an approved subsidy. Existing programs leverage state and federal subsidies and serve low-income households. Separately, staff estimates $75,000–$100,000 for further consultant study; that is a total study cost, not a per-home amount.
Source: Eugene City Council / November 9, 2026 work-session packet, agenda pages 37–38DailyTidings.com
Some property owners and housing providers had concerns, saying additional sale requirements and longer transaction periods could increase costs, discourage investment, and make housing development less attractive.
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