Olympia. Wash — Legislative sponsors are advocating for new policies aimed at addressing housing instability in Washington, with a focus on rent stabilization as a solution to the state’s affordable housing and homelessness crisis.
“There is absolutely no way that Washington will be able to solve our affordable housing and homelessness crisis without rent stabilization,” said Michele Thomas, Policy and Advocacy Director at the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance.
The proposed policy seeks to curb rent gouging and enhance housing stability for renters and manufactured homeowners. Representative Emily Alvarado (D-34th) emphasized the necessity of the bill, stating, “Washingtonians are asking for pragmatic solutions that stop excessive and unnecessary rent increases. That’s what this bill does. Washingtonians are asking for our help to rein in costs and make it easier to live, raise a family and retire with dignity. That’s what this bill does.”
Key elements of House Bill 1217 and Senate Bill 5222 include allowing yearly rent increases of up to 7% and requiring six months’ notice for all rent increases of 3% or more.
Representative Nicole Macri (D-43rd) highlighted the current challenges renters face, saying, “We know because of the lack of housing and because demand is high landlords can keep hiking up rent as much as they want, whenever they want, with very little warning and zero ramifications.”
A recent survey revealed that 46% of LGBTQ renters experienced a rent increase of over $100 in the past year, with more than 10% facing increases exceeding $500 a month, significantly outpacing rent hikes for renters overall.
“We know that high rent increases destabilize families and communities. We have 105 days this session and the challenges that our neighbors are facing are happening now. We need to help them now, and I’m very excited to be working with reps Alvarado and Senator Trudeau to get this bill passed this session,” said Macri.
The discussion remains ongoing, and the legislature will decide whether the policy will advance to the governor’s desk once it is formally presented.