Updates on Washington's rent cap debate in the state legislature
Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization
This list of stories illustrates the debate among Washington state lawmakers about capping annual rent hikes to safeguard renters while addressing fears of stifling housing supply. House Bill 1217 initially proposed a 7% cap, but Senate amendments raised the proposal to 10% plus inflation, sparking criticism from advocates who fear increased evictions.
The legislative session is scheduled to end on April 27.
Other discussions highlight landlords' concerns over maintaining profitability and critics who argue that caps could hinder new housing development. Policymakers seek solutions such as broader renter protections, housing density increases, and supply-focused reforms to stabilize the housing market.
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
'You cannot expect people to think about opportunity — to have hope — with the ground shaking underneath them,' sponsor Sen. Yasmin Trudeau says. | Published January 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter
A series of rallies were scheduled throughout the day at the state Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 30. | Published January 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter
Opponents argue the proposal would be bad for small landlords and scare off housing developers. | Published March 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter
'What a landlord does is they charge what the market can bear. But Washingtonians can't bear it anymore,' said state Sen. Emily Alvarado. | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter
'The difference between what the House passed and what the Senate passed is so extreme,' said Michele Thomas, policy and advocacy director for the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance. | Published April 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter
This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.
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