This morning, two landlords and the Rental Housing Association of Washington filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court challenging the City of Seattle’s “Fair Chance Housing” tenant-protection ordinance that prohibits the use of criminal records in selecting tenants.
Continue readingCategory: crime
Council to consider changes to discrimation and sexual harassment rules
This week the City Council will take up some proposed changes to the city’s laws prohibiting discrimination by explicitly broadening the definition to include sexual harassment and extending the time allowed for filing charges.
Continue readingUnderstanding the Fair Chance Housing ordinance
Last week the Seattle City Council passed the Fair Chance Housing ordinance, which prohibits most Seattle landlords from using criminal background to deny housing to prospective tenants. Yesterday morning, Mayor Ed Murray signed the bill into law. The bill was not without controversy, and it’s worth understanding the rationale behind it as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments.
Continue readingFair Chance Housing bill under discussion
This morning, the Council continued its discussion of a proposed “Fair Chance Housing” bill, which prohibits discrimination by landlords in some circumstances against people with a criminal record who apply for housing.
Continue readingNotes from today’s Council meetings
Here’s a quick summary of notable things from today’s City Council meetings.
Continue readingSPD briefs Council on recent gun violence
Recently there has been a cluster of gun-related incidents in Seattle, which have captured the attention of the media, the community, and the City Council. This morning, the Seattle Police Department briefed the Council on what they know, what they are still investigating, and how they are responding.
Continue readingOpponents of new Youth Service Center may get another chance to stop it
If Council member Mike O’Brien has his way, the land use code will be amended to allow opponents of the proposed King County Youth Service Center to appeal issuance of a Master Use Permit for the facility.
Continue readingProtecting domestic violence survivors from gun violence
This morning, the Council took up their quarterly update to the city government budget. In the package of proposed changes was a gem of a proposal aimed squarely at giving more protection to domestic violence survivors.
Continue readingThe Youth Services Center got its permit. Here’s why.
This morning the Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) released its highly-anticipated decision on King County’s permit application to build a replacement Youth Services Center (i.e. combined juvenile court and youth detention facility) in Seattle. Despite the pleas from many activists who are opposed to a new youth detention center, SDCI approved the permit application. They had to, and therein lies a tale.
Continue readingThursday news roundup: youth detention center
The controversial proposal for the new King County youth detention center tops this morning’s news.
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