Yesterday a group of landlords filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court to challenge the temporary bans on evictions enacted by Governor Inslee and Mayor Durkan, the extension of Durkan’s ban passed by the City Council, and the Council’s ordinance requiring landlords to allow tenants to repay back rent in installments.
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Fort Lawton lawsuit might be over soon
When we last looked in on Elizabeth Campbell’s legal attempt to derail the redevelopment of the old Fort Lawton army base as affordable housing, her attorney was running for the closest exit. Then COVID happened, and the court system ground to a halt. But today Campbell and the other parties in the case filed a joint status update with the court — and it’s clear that the City of Seattle has run out of patience.
Continue readingCatching up on court cases: May edition
The wheels of justice are continuing to turn, albeit slower, during the COVID-19 shutdown. Let’s look at four cases the city is involved in, and catch up on the most recent actions.
Continue readingMorales, Sawant lobby for suspension of rent and mortgage payments
In order to help people stay housed during the economic chaos caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, Council members Morales and Sawant are urging state and federal officials to suspend rent and mortgage payments with no accumulation of back-rent or debt. But there’s a snag.
Continue readingCatching up on some old court cases with recent twists
Since the Council’s schedule is currently reduced due to the COVID-19 response, it’s a god time to catch up on some of the city’s ongoing litigation. There are four cases that have been kicking around for a while and recently saw some activity.
Continue readingMayor temporarily suspends permitted events, places moratorium on evictions (updated)
This afternoon, Mayor Durkan announced two new actions in the city’s ongoing effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Continue readingNew affordable housing project announced in Northgate
Yesterday King County announced a new, 232-unit affordable housing project next to the new Northgate light rail station.
Continue readingMayor returns winter evictions ordinance unsigned, proposes $200k for rent assistance (updated)
This afternoon Mayor Durkan returned the Council’s ban on winter evictions without signing it, allowing it to go into effect. But she also proposed additional support for renters in the form of $200,000 of city funding to United Way of King County to supplement its Home Base eviction prevention program. (updates below)
Continue readingSpat over LEAD budget appears to be sorted out
Over the past month an ongoing disagreement over the budget for the LEAD program flared up again, as Erica Barnett has been reporting for the last several weeks, but as of late last week it seems to be getting resolved.
Continue readingCouncil approves ban on “winter evictions” after significant changes
This afternoon, the City Council gave its final approval to Council member Sawant’s proposed ban on “winter evictions,” after approving six amendments — several of which were over Sawant’s objections.
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