In early 2019 I wrote an article reviewing the research on rent control. At the time, Councilmember Sawant was making a push at trying to get a local rent control measure passed — despite the state law prohibiting it. Earlier this year she published an updated version of her draft rent control bill, though she doesn’t seem to have much (if any) visible support from her colleagues on the Council. Now having narrowly escaped recall, Sawant is making noises about a more fervent push to pass her rent control bill. That makes it a good time to provide an update …
Continue readingTag: rent control
Deja 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 readingSawant’s Rent Control Bill
As promised, Council member Kshama Sawant unveiled her proposed rent control ordinance on Monday night. Capitol Hill Seattle Blog scanned in a printed copy that was distributed at Sawant’s hearing/rally. (update: here’s a clean version of the bill, provided by Sawant’s office) Here’s what’s in the bill.
Continue readingUnderstanding Rent Control
Council member Kshama Sawant has decided that 2019 is the year to push for rent control in Seattle — even though there is still a statewide ban on it. She held a rally last week announcing that she would be introducing rent control legislation (to become effective if/when the state lifts its ban), and earlier this week she invited the Seattle Renters Commission to present in her committee (video here) on why they are recommending that the city implement rent control. I’m not an economist, not a landlord, nor a renter. But since we’re having this debate, I went to …
Continue readingCouncil gets an update on the state legislative session
Yesterday the Office of Intergovernmental Relations (OIR) gave the Council its first update on how things are going in Olympia, as the state legislative session ramps up.
Continue readingNew protections against slumlords on their way
The Council held its first hearing this morning on a new ordinance, authored by Council member Kshama Sawant, to restrict slumlords from raising rents for non-compliant housing units. But the details are a little tricky, so it’s worth diving into the details.
Continue reading