Residents Organizing for Change (ROC) is a statewide network of residents of affordable housing, those in need of housing, and front-line staff of affordable housing providers who are committed to advocating for safe, stable, and affordable housing for all Oregonians. In 2018, Neighborhood Partnerships partnered with Community Change as part of a national campaign to organize residents of affordable housing across multiple states. ROC is one of three resident organizing networks on the West Coast, alongside the Resident Action Project (RAP) in Washington and the Residents United Network (RUN) in California.
In 2019, Neighborhood Partnerships organizer Reyna Gillet traveled around Oregon laying the foundation for ROC, listening to residents’ needs and recruiting people interested in participating in shaping the public policies that affect them. In 2020, ROC formed a steering committee that provides leadership for the coalition, with representatives from across the state. ROC members participate in Housing Alliance activities, set legislative priorities, interact with county and local government, and participate in conversations with leaders and decision-makers—bringing their lived experience to the movement for housing justice.
