Momentum Builds to Protect Seattle Renters: Activists and Councilmembers work together to enact tenant legislation
On Thursday, July 21, 2016 Washington CAN!, a grassroots organization that goes back to the 1970’s, released a report about renters’ struggles to keep a foothold in Seattle’s tough housing market. Along with the report, come announcements from Councilmembers Kshama Sawant and Lisa Herbold concerning new legislation to protect renters.
The impassioned press conference happened at the Washington CAN! office on Yesler. A coalition of groups stood behind speakers from Seattle Education Association, Transit Rider’s Union, Gender Justice League, Main Street Alliance, and Washington CAN!. Councilmembers Mike O’Brien, Kshama Sawant and Lisa Herbold were all present. Speakers represented educators, small business owners, parents, youth, and one landlord. Sawant’s office has developed a plan to help renters in the form of caps on move-in fees (See Infographic Below).
Last May Mayor Ed Murray released the Housing Affordability and Livability (HALA) Report. Ten of the sixty-four HALA recommendations included detailed supports for tenants. Following up on the momentum from the Washington CAN! report release, the City Council’s Civil Rights, Utilities, Economic Development & Arts Committee passed a bill onto the full council concerning Source of Income Discrimination legislation. (This is analogous with HALA recommendation T10.) First-In-Time would put in place processes to allow the first qualified applicant for a rental unit to be legally entitled to the unit. Community Pledges helps address frequent complaints of income discrimination by renters. Seattle City Council will consider the Open Housing Ordinance on August 8, 2016.
Currently one of the non-profits most often tasked with helping Seattle renters is the Tenants Union of Washington State (TU). Liz Etta, Executive Director for TU, said of the new pending legislative action, “Over 1,000 tenants called (us) in 2015 about high- to near impossible move-in costs. With this proposal, tenants could see thousands in savings, increased access to housing, and lessened anxiety when rent increases cause tenants to move.”
A new campaign from Washington CAN! “Housing Justice Now” was launched as part of the event. The 33 page report is available online.
Seattle’s Renting Crisis: Report & Policy Recommendations
Invest in Affordable Housing Production and Preservation
Affordable Housing Production through Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning
1-for-1 Replacement of Affordable Units
Rent Stabilization
Strengthen the Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance
Restore Just Cause Eviction Protection
Ban on Source of Income Discrimination
Hold Landlords Who Discriminate Accountable and Invest in Tenant-Landlord Education
No Bans Against Prospective Tenants with Criminal Charges or Convictions
Limits on Credit, Eviction, and Foreclosure Checks
Limit Up-Front Costs
Pages 22–25, Seattle’s Renting Crisis: Report & Policy Recommendations, Authors: Margaret Diddams, Ph.D, & Xochitl Maykovich
“Although more than half of respondents describe their rent as unaffordable within their income, the inadequate supply of affordable housing in Seattle keeps people stuck living beyond their means.” Seattle’s Renting Crisis: Report & Policy Recommendations
(If you’d like to learn more about the Housing Justice Now! campaign email xochitl@washingtoncan.org. Currently the Tenants Union of Washington State is seeking board members. Please learn more by visiting http://www.tenantsunion.org/)
Gwendolyn Jimerson, Seattle Education Association, spoke eloquently about being an educator helping children from low-income families while also struggling with similar challenges.
Felix Ngoussou, small business owner & speaking for Main Street Alliance, explained how barriers to affordable housing for renters who are immigrants or from communities of color also exist for commercial tenants.
Councilmember Lisa Herbold speaks about the protections for renters that she and Councilmember Sawant have championed.
