On December 12, after nearly a 1/2 year of struggle by Washington CAN and tenants’ rights advocates, the Seattle City Council passed our move-in fees legislation, 8-0! My remarks motivating the council bill below. I am excited to introduce again this ordinance that would limit the exorbitant move-in fees that tenants are expected to pay in […]

Last month, my office was contacted by a group of tenants in South Seattle whose landlord, the notorious slumlord Carl Haglund, was doubling their rents, despite truly appalling living conditions. This was a brazen attempt by Haglund to conduct building-wide economic evictions. After meeting with tenants to see the apartment building, my office joined with […]

Share your rent-increase story with us! Call my office at (206) 684-8016. Let’s expand tenant rights and fight for affordable housing! Is your rent skyrocketing? Do you want to fight for your right to affordable housing? You’re not alone. There are hundreds, if not thousands, like you in Seattle, who are facing the prospect of […]

Dear Tenants and Housing Justice Activists, Congratulations to everybody who participated in such an inspiring movement. On Monday this week, the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) announced that it will withdraw the proposed Stepping Forward program for a year. In this letter, Executive Director Andrew Lofton says the SHA “decided to put consideration of the Stepping […]

On the evening of October 30th, labor leaders, community organizers, social service providers, and engaged citizens came together for a People’s Budget Town Hall. Here they shared their concerns about the Mayor’s business as usual budget and began a conversation about what is necessary to make Seattle affordable for all. Kshama Sawant’s Opening Remarks at the People’s Budget […]

Below is a letter I sent to Andrew Lofton, Executive Director of the Seattle Housing Authority.  It details my opposition to SHA’s “Stepping Forward” proposal,  which raises rents for low-income tenants. Dear Mr. Lofton, Over the last month, you have been trying to garner public support for “Stepping Forward,” a program that will increase the rents […]

Voices needed for an expansion of public housing, for a major increase in developer fees, for taxing the wealthy, and for rent control September 24, 2014 Yesterday, Mayor Murray announced his proposal for the formation of a Housing Affordability and Livability Advisory Committee. I welcome any serious steps to address this urgent issue. As we […]

A call to action for fellow Councilmembers Friday, July 18th, I participated in a home defense protest alongside Standing Against Foreclosures and Evictions (SAFE), Washington Community Action Network (CAN), and Socialist Alternative.  As you know, Councilmember Licata and I have supported SAFE in their efforts.  The activists have continued their struggle all weekend, and it is […]