Rent Control FAILS in Seattle

RHAWA is pleased to announce that on Tuesday, August 1, the Seattle City Council voted NO on Councilmember Sawant's harmful rent control ordinance in a 6-2 vote.

Councilmembers Lisa Herbold, Andrew Lewis, Sara Nelson, Alex Pedersen, Dan Strauss, and Council President Debora Juarez voted against the bill, citing a multitude of concerns with this policy. While voicing concerns, the impact on small housing providers was mentioned by councilmembers. RHAWA appreciated this recognition by the council who has historically undervalued the perspectives and experiences of small housing providers.

The ordinance, CB 120606, would have established one of the most restrictive rent control policies in the country. Rent control appeared in committee just a few months after the passage of a horrendous late fee cap, making the past few months a real challenge to housing providers in Seattle.

However, members should breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Seattle is still one of the only major cities on the west coast without a rent control policy. RHAWA is hopeful that the perspectives shared during this council meeting, mainly the consideration of small housing providers, continue to impact the Seattle City Council.

A huge thank you to the members who attended in-person, those who testified virtually, as well as all those who sent a message to their councilmembers using the RHAWA Advocacy Center. Many members prepared their own emails to send over to Seattle City Council as well and we enjoyed reading the messages we were copied on. Your involvement is not only making a difference in the councilmembers minds, it also shows the RHAWA Government Affairs team that you are making the most out of the information we provide.

In other news, local election primaries are in full swing. Stay on the lookout for an RHAWA Candidate overview coming in September. We must support moderate lawmakers in city councils to change the tide of rental housing policy in Washington! If you have not already donated to RHAWA PAC, now is the time to do so. We have a unprecedented opportunity to completely change the makeup of Seattle City Council this year as well as support numerous candidates in other local city councils, but we can't do it without your generous donation.

Thank you once again for getting involved and communicating the harm of rent control to your councilmembers. As always, RHAWA will keep you updated on any future legislation and will continue to advocate on your behalf.