http://www.portlandobserver.com Head Start Support $18 million investment to increase services \for local children QR code for Portland Observer Online See Local News, page 3 U Volume XLIV ‘City 0/Roses’ Number 34 U See story, page B™ w « » » ? 14 - * < www.portlandobserver.com www.p Wedne; Wednesday • August 27, 2014 43 Breakout Fight Portland boxer hopes to punch ticket to the pros Established in 1970 ip s iT r ® Humboldt Gardens in the Humboldt Neighborhood of north Portland is a diverse housing community operated by Home Forward. The housing agency has always ac cepted Section 8 participants. Housing Options Open Up Section 8 reform bill goes into effect O livia O livia T he P ortland O bserver by Hopes are high for a Section 8 reform bill that went into effect this summer that might help reverse the effects of gentrification and curb discrimination. In 2013, the Oregon of Committed to Cultural Diversity ^cmmmmitv service Legislature took an important step forward in expanding affordable housing options for low-income residents by preventing landlords from categorically refusing to rent to Section 8 voucher recipients. House Speaker Tina Kotek put forward House Bill 2639 that passed both chambers and was signed into law by Gov. John Kitzhaber. The law protects low-income Oregonians and welcomes landlords to rent to a wider variety of resi­ dents. It also establishes a fund for landlords to be reim­ bursed for any damages incurred by housing residents who qualify for the federal Section 8 rent subsidies. The bill went into effect in July, but its impact may take some time to have any measurable effect, according to attorney Lin J. Hendler who follows housing cases closely and has represented Section 8 recipients who have taken continued on page 4