I used to be glad to learn “WA approves extra funds for tenant attorneys as evictions stay excessive” [March 11, Local News]. Due to the Washington Low Earnings Housing Alliance and different tenant advocates, Washington was the primary state to ensure an lawyer for low-income renters in eviction courtroom. Earlier than this, nearly each landlord had authorized illustration, however most tenants have been left to navigate a fancy course of with out that assist.
We are able to do higher, although. Most evictions are on account of unpaid lease — and plenty of extra tenants are pressured out of their houses with out going by way of a authorized eviction course of as a result of they will’t sustain with extreme lease will increase. Landlord lobbyists argue that the state ought to as an alternative spend money on rental help and simply cowl no matter tenants can’t afford. Whereas rental help performs a task in serving to households keep housed, with out limits on lease will increase it places the state on the hook for paying no matter exorbitant quantities landlords wish to cost.
There are higher methods to spend state cash than lining the pockets of company landlords. Washington ought to place cheap limits on how a lot landlords can elevate the lease yearly. The Legislature ought to make this the primary precedence for 2025.
Rachael Myers, govt director, Washington Low Earnings Housing Alliance
