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For years, Eric Froshnider made a living at his apartment owned by Home Forward (formerly the Housing Authority of Portland). But when he found out that Steven L. Stanley, who lived one floor above him, was a wanted fugitive from Ohio who somehow passed a background check, he thought that his tip would be taken quickly. He did not expect the amount of repression HF would deal to him for pointing out one simple mistake. In this exclusive interview, Froshnider unveils HF’s corruption in a city already plagued with chronic houselessness.
Q) Describe how you first came to know HF.
A) It was around 2008 when I read an ad in the newspaper by HF, saying that they were accepting new residents at the time. Now, I’m on Disability for anxiety and depression, and was then paying $400 per month where I was staying. I saw that HF could provide it for $200 per month, and that was why I applied.
Q) How did HF treat you and other residents before the incidents?
A) For the most part, fine. Before the incidents, lots of renovations were being done on my building.
Q) What happened when you first encountered Steven L. Stanley?
A) I first met Stanley in the library, downstairs where I lived. In November 2011, I walked into the room one day when he was there. His book was blocking one of the computer stations, and looking at him, I casually took it off. Instantly, he began threatening me, and when I asked what was the problem, he picked up a nearby chair and began threatening my life. The police came next day, and the incident was confirmed by the managers, as it was caught on surveillance. Nothing happened. The police came at least three more times for similar incidents against me and other residents.
I asked management what his name was, but they refused. It took me five months to find out, as I was endured continuous threats of rape, violence and murder from this man. I immediately filed a restraining order against Stanley, and I went to the DA and Secretary to look up his background info when the police would do nothing. Stanley served time for kidnapping and illegal weapons possession in Ohio, and was a wanted fugitive the entire time during his stay at HAP.
Q) When you went for help, how did HF respond? The City of Portland?
A) On paper, HF’s policies clearly stated that any felony charges found in applicants would mean automatic refusal. HF must have done a faulty background check to let Stanley slip by. In May 2012, HF filed a 10-day eviction notice to Stanley, but he ended up staying for another 2 months. In July 2012, 8 months after the first incident, police finally did a background check, and arrested him. One month later, HF filed a court case against Stanley, [Case No. 120018279E] but he conceded and therefore, no trial. He was released from jail, and became a fugitive again soon afterwards.
Upset, I began informing my fellow residents in my building about Stanley and his release, but it didn’t go over well with management. They began bullying me, and I was constantly disrespected. But it all boiled over when HF sent me a 30-day eviction notice in Nov. 2012, accusing me of “physical assault” charges that were never filed and completely ungrounded. I couldn’t stand the harassment any longer, however, so I moved out voluntarily and became houseless.
I took my fight to the City of Portland. I began petitioning City Hall with phone calls, and spoke at the weekly City Council meeting at Jan. 16, 2013. [#35] I addressed the dangers HF was posing on its residents and the public by housing a wanted criminal without any background checks. Again, nothing happened. In fact, they were so bent on keeping me silent that last month, I was banned from making any more phone calls to them or the Housing Bureau. The City charges Occupiers with illegal occupation in downtown parks in 2011 for peaceful protest, but they do nothing when an unchecked fugitive is asked to leave their own services.
Q) You also reached out to mainstream media to hold HF accountable. How did they respond?
A) I reached out to Portland Mercury, Willamette Week, The Oregonian, The Columbian, and some TV outlets. I was interviewed multiple times by reporters. Afterwards, they all said to me, “Let us run this by our editors.” But then, nothing happened — no coverage was found.
Q) What do you hope will happen by coming forth with your story?
A) I hope that this outrages Portland enough that they voice their opinions and protect themselves by changing HAP’s policies when a criminal without a background check is threatening people’s lives.
Q) Any last words?
A) Last September, I began applying to Housing Solutions in Vancouver, WA. I have been on their list currently for over 5 months…
For more information about Eric’s case, please or call him at 360-281-2923.