PORTLAND, Ore. — On Monday afternoon inside the Portland Building, the city attempted to auction off six abandoned properties spanning Southeast and North Portland neighborhoods. Many of them are not only an eyesore, but have become a burden for neighbors; bringing squatters, rodents and other safety issues to the neighborhoods.
“I’ve been here 43 years, and I’ve had to look at that for at least ten years,” said Sharon who lives next to one of the auctioned properties on Southeast 87th Avenue.
The home there caught fire numerous times, and barely a remnant of the structure still stood among piles of trash and old mattresses filling the yard. Anyone could see the years of neglect — and smell them, too.
“It’s been a garbage dump for at least three years now,” said Sharon said.
Another neighbor added that they've seen squatters come and go.
“The worse it looks in here, the more crime is going to be around here,” said Enrique, who lives a few doors down.
“I mean, one year I killed over 100 rats,” added Sharon of the rat infestation connected to the abandoned property.
The 87th Avenue property is just one of six the city foreclosed on and attempted to auction off Monday afternoon. Combined, the six property owners owed more than a million dollars in unpaid fees for code violations and nuisance complaints, among other things.
“These homes are there vacant, becoming destressed, we have squatters going in, we have people vandalizing everywhere,” said Kelsey Cooper, a spokesperson for Portland’s liens department.
Two of the six properties did generate interest, including one boarded-up home on North Detroit Avenue. The city foreclosed on it in February. It sold Monday for $200,000 after a lengthy bidding war, up from a minimum bid of $105,682.
“That home is in great condition, and I think that it’s also in a prime location,” said Cooper.
The 87th Avenue property received no bids — leaving that neighborhood to keep living with its side effects. The minimum bid set by the city was for $206,010. It was previously up for auction in April after the city foreclosed in Oct. 2023.
“Cause nobody wants to buy it. Look at it … it makes me extremely angry,” said Sharon.
Minimum bid amounts, according to the city, are determined by either the combined lien principal, interest, penalties, collection and foreclosure sale costs; or they represent 75% of the total assessed value as determined by the county assessor.
As for those homes that didn't sell, the neighbors are encouraged to contact the city to have someone come out and assess the property. The next list of abandoned homes is going to city council next month, and once that is approved it could be a few more months before there is another auction.