Two “long read” documents came through my inbox in the past week that, upon reflection, are likely to set the tone for a good chunk of the political debate over the next few months as we head into the primary and general elections here in Seattle.
Continue readingCategory: housing
Federal judge upholds “Fair chance housing” ordinance
After a brief hearing this morning, today U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour issued a ruling upholding the city’s “Fair Chance Housing” ordinance banning landlords from inquiring about or using a potential tenant’s criminal history.
Continue readingU.S. Supreme Court moves the goalposts on property takings, and there may be local repercussions for renters and landlords
This morning the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling on a case involving a California regulation that granted union representatives access to private employers’ work sites for up to 3 hours a day, 120 days per year, in order to recruit and organize. The Court ruled that the government-granted access is a “taking” of property, and thus was subject to the Takings Clause of the U.S. Constitution. In clarifying the rules around a grey area of property rights jurisprudence — and arguably moving the goalposts in favor of property owners — the Court may have also shifted the balance of …
Continue readingCouncil set to consider amendments to ARPA spending plan
Tomorrow the City Council’s Finance and Housing Committee will consider a set of amendments to the “Seattle Rescue Plan” legislation that allocates $128 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act and HOPE Act funding.
Continue readingCity rolls out $30 million “strategic investment fund” RFP for anti-displacement efforts
It’s been a big week for investments in Seattle’s BIPOC communities. First, the City Council approved $1 million to allow the Office for Civil Rights to move the $30 million participatory budgeting program forward; then yesterday the Mayor’s Equitable Communities Initiative Task Force unveiled their recommendations for how to invest another $30 million. Now this morning, Mayor Durkan announced the release of an RFP for proposals for land and property acquisition “to respond to disproportionate displacement pressures impacting black, Indigenous, and people of color communities.”
Continue readingDeja vu: Sawant promoting rent control legislation again
In September of 2019, during the heat of a fierce re-election campaign, Councilmember Kshama Sawant rolled out a proposal for residential rent control in Seattle — despite the fact that it’s clearly prohibited under state law. Today, facing the prospect of a recall election, Sawant trotted it out again.
Continue readingThree new tenant-rights bills under consideration by Council
In the last week, three new tenant-rights bills that would limit evictions have been introduced into the Council legislative process: two by Councilmember Sawant, and one jointly by Councilmembers Lewis and Morales.
Continue readingIs the MHA program working?
Earlier this month, the City of Seattle’s Office of Housing issued its annual report on the MHA program, which requires developers to contribute to the city’s efforts to build more affordable housing. Now that the program has been running for a few years, it’s an apt time to look at how it’s doing.
Continue readingLewis, Sawant propose right to counsel for tenants facing eviction
Tomorrow morning the City Council will take up a bill proposed by Councilmembers Lewis and Sawant that would provide free legal representation to all tenants in Seattle facing eviction.
Continue readingKing County judge rules in favor of city on tenant protection ordinances
Today King County Superior Court Judge Johanna Bender issued a ruling almost entirely upholding three tenant protection ordinances passed by the City Council last year.
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