In Seattle, Duana Ricks-Johnson, a disabled veteran and single parent, has been compelled to move her family five times in just four years due to escalating rent costs. Alongside dealing with personal housing challenges, she has been actively participating in legislative efforts for rent control in the state, although her desired outcome has yet to be realized. Now, with legislation geared towards rent stabilization nearing a decision, unexpected amendments in the Senate may impact the future of House Bill 1217 as the legislative session’s end approaches. The bill, having passed in the Senate with specific amendments, now awaits re-evaluation in the House with little time left in the session.
If passed, the legislation would mark Washington as one of the first states to implement rent stabilization laws, joining the ranks of states like Oregon and California, who have adopted similar policies to combat homelessness. However, some supporters feel that the amendments weaken the bill, especially the exclusion of rent caps for single-family homes, in a state where a significant portion of the population rents. Sen. Emily Alvarado of Seattle, the primary sponsor of the bill, has expressed that the legislation aims to prevent renters from being displaced due to skyrocketing rent hikes.
On the opposing side, critics of the bill warn that it could deter developers and argue that similar policies in Oregon and California have not adequately addressed homelessness while exacerbating financial strain. Another Democrat, Sen. Sharon Shewmake, proposed increasing the rent hike limit from 7% to 10% over concern about impacting housing supply, which she believes is key to reducing housing costs.
The Senate’s version of the bill would restrict rent increases during the first year of tenancy and extend the notice period for such increases from the current 60 days to 90 days. This bill would come into effect immediately upon passage, with a sunset clause set for July 1, 2045. The original 5% rent limit for manufactured homes would remain intact.
Michele Thomas from the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance believes a compromise is possible. She emphasized the urgent demands from thousands of citizens urging lawmakers to pass a protective version with smaller increases and without exemptions for single-family homes.
For Ricks-Johnson, having moved to Washington from Oregon, where she resided closer to her twin sister following domestic abuse, fixed income constraints make rising rent untenable, leading to costly relocations. She posits that without the bill’s passing, families like hers face dire choices and instability when communities fail to support their vulnerable members.
Dominique Horn, another Washington renter, experiences similar distress. Spending 50% of her income on rent, any further hike could displace her family. She expressed concerns about excluding single-family homes from regulation, fearing the bill might not protect many renters.
Horn described the financial burden that moving imposes and advocated for predictable rent increases for stability. Sen. Marko Liias, who proposed the exemption for single-family homes, was unavailable for comment.
Landlord Kelley Rhinehart from Kitsap County, who rents out multiple properties, supports the legislative measure, believing that stable rents can foster tenant security. He expressed the view that the market is under-regulated and that setting rent limits is a necessary legislative decision to ensure fairness and stability.