Latest news with #EmilyAlvarado
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WA Governor signs rent stabilization bill into law, prompting praise and concern
The Brief Annual rent increases will be capped for most Washington renters after House Bill 1217 was signed into law Wednesday afternoon. The legislation was a hot issue for lawmakers this year, with supporters saying it will protect renters from egregious rent hikes and opponents arguing it will only worsen the state's housing supply issues. SEATTLE - Governor Ferguson signed a slate of bills around housing Wednesday afternoon, including the contentious cap on rent increases that passed on the last day of this year's legislative session. Visiting the Blake House affordable housing development, Ferguson signed ten bills to boost housing supply and accessibility, including ones to expand property tax relief for disabled veterans and relax parking space requirements for new construction. Though the biggest item he signed into law was the rent stabilization bill that was a hot topic for lawmakers this year. Under House Bill 1217, annual rent increases are limited to the lesser of 10%, or 7% plus inflation. For manufactured homes, the cap is at 5%. Some exceptions to the limitations exist – and caps for apartments and homes expire in 15 years. What they're saying Prime sponsor Sen. Emily Alvarado, D-West Seattle, said the legislation is intended to prevent excessive rent increases with "common sense guardrails" as people struggle to keep up with increasing housing costs, including "unchecked" rent increases. "Rent goes up faster than wages, seniors see rent go up faster than Social Security," she said. "A record number of families in this state are paying more than half of their income on rent. That's not okay." Though supporters acknowledged the bill as only a solid first step, as more needs to be done to support new housing and keep people in homes. "10% and 7% plus CPI is still too high for so many folks who are navigating this crisis here in this state," said Seattle renter Rebekah Gardea. "But today it's an important moment to celebrate this first start, right? To keep us going because we have work ahead of us." The bill initially had a 7% cap with no inflation adjustment, but a change to the limit in the Senate prompted negotiations with the House and a compromise in the final days of the legislative session. It also faced strong opposition throughout the process, with a handful of Democrats joining all Republicans in voting against the effort. The other side Opponents representing landlords and builders argue the law ultimately hurts renters, as landlords would not be able to keep up with maintenance costs and may leave the rental business altogether. "The overwhelming response that I'm getting from my membership is once the current tenants that they have move, they're going to sell the unit," said Sean Flynn, Executive Director of the Rental Housing Association of Washington. "What that's going to do is reduce the total supply." Opponents also argue that creating more housing is the best way to lower costs, but development is hindered by strict regulations on land usage and housing density. And with the government controlling rents, developers are going to be even more deterred from building. "That's what has happened in every market that has tried rent control. It's not worth it then for somebody that doesn't pencil out if they can't charge enough rent to cover the cost of building that housing," said Greg Lane, Executive Vice President of the Building Industry Association of Washington. "We're going to put a big neon sign at the gates of the state of Washington saying, 'we don't want your housing dollars, take those housing dollars and build new units in Austin, or build new units in Tennessee, or build units in Florida or Idaho,'" Flynn said. Governor Ferguson told reporters he was confident the legislation would work for "everybody in our state," acknowledging it would need to be part of a "balanced approach." "We need more housing, we need folks to construct that housing, we need folks to rent that housing," he said. "You heard this pretty compelling—not just today, but throughout a lengthy process of conversation about this legislation—that too many folks are getting priced out, and we can't have that. That's not an option." The bill contains an emergency clause, so it takes effect immediately. However, it requires funding from the budget, which the governor has until May 20 to sign. Opponents said there has been some talk about launching a ballot measure to repeal the law, though the idea is still very much up in the air. The Source Information in this story came from Albert James is a television reporter covering state government as part of the Murrow News Fellowship program – a collaborative effort between news outlets statewide and Washington State University. MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE Dashcam footage shows shocking 'road rage' hit-and-run on motorcyclist Dozens arrested after protests escalate at University of Washington in Seattle Jury selection for Bryan Kohberger trial: What both sides will likely look out for Seattle police arrest suspect in fatal hit-and-run that killed mother Inmate escapes police at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Jamie Tompkins claims Seattle police scandal was a setup. Here's why 2 new trails connect Redmond transit station to King County park To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Meaningful progress': Gov. Ferguson signs landmark bill to cap rent increases in Washington
This story was originally published on Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed a bill Wednesday that set limits on rent increases—one of the first in the country. Rent stabilization bill, HB 1217, caps rent increases at 7% plus inflation, or 10%—whichever is lower. Washington now joins Oregon and California in drafting legislation that curbs climbing rent prices. 'There is no single policy that will fix our housing crisis, but we need this comprehensive approach,' Sen. Emily Alvarado said at the bill signing. Two amendments were added to HB 1217 by the Senate, changing the cap from a flat 7% to a choice of whatever is lower between a 7% raise with inflation or a flat 10%. The second amendment exempts single-family homes, which represent approximately 38% of Washington renters. 'Today we celebrate,' Rebekah Gardea, Director of Community Advocacy at QLaw Foundation, said at the bill signing. 'This is meaningful progress that is meaningful to people in the state.' The bill also bars landlords from raising rents during the first 12 months of a new tenancy. The rent-increase cap for manufactured and mobile homes stands at 5%. 'It's really an honor to sign this important legislation into law,' Ferguson said at the bill signing. How the bill passed in Senate, House of Representatives The Senate approved the final version on a 27-20 vote, with two Democrats joining Republicans in opposition. The House followed with a 54-44 vote, where five Democrats broke ranks. No Republicans voted in favor. 'This is one of the most productive sessions on housing affordability our state has seen,' Sen. Jessica Batman, D-Olympia, said in a statement. 'It's the result of strong coalition-building in and outside the Legislature, bipartisan collaboration with our Republican colleagues and sustained, long-term engagement with the community and our constituents who are so deeply affected by these issues. I'm proud of what we've accomplished so far this year and know that we have more work ahead.' Beginning June 1, 2025, the state Department of Commerce will be required to publish the allowable maximum rent increase annually, based on the Seattle-area Consumer Price Index. Landlords must also provide tenants with 90 days' notice before raising rent. Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest Follow Frank Sumrall on X. Send news tips here.
The Independent
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Washington governor signs rent-control bill into law
Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill into law Wednesday that sets limits on rent increases, making the state among the first in the nation to provide protections for tenants. The rent stabilization measure, House Bill 1217, adds Washington to states like Oregon and California that have sought new ways to curb homelessness. Bill sponsor Sen. Emily Alvarado, a West Seattle Democrat, said the measure sets common-sense guardrails on the state's rental-housing market 'so that hardworking families and older adults don't get unchecked excessive rent increases.' ' Housing is not a luxury. It's a basic human need,' Alvarado said at the bill signing. 'And everyone in this state deserves a stable and affordable home.' The measure caps rent increases at 7% plus inflation or 10% — whichever is lower. The restrictions include single-family homes. The rent-increase cap for manufactured homes is 5%. Lawmakers approved the plan on a 54-44 vote, with five Democrats joining the Republican opposition. Ferguson praised Alvarado and the many advocates across the state who worked hard to get the bill passed. It almost didn't make it. It successfully moved through both houses, but two amendments added on the Senate floor sent it into a conference committee. Those amendments increased the cap from 7% to 10% plus inflation and exempted single-family homes. Opponents of the bill argued that developers would leave the state if it became law and said similar policies in Oregon and California added to those states' financial burdens instead of slowing the homeless crisis. Oregon's rent-control bill was passed in 2019 and later updated to cap rent increases at either 7% plus the annual 12-month average change in the consumer price index for the U.S. West, or 10% — whichever is lower. The conference committee got the cap down to 7% plus inflation or 10% — whichever is lower, and restored protections for the 38% of renters who live in single-family homes. With Ferguson's signature, it's now law. 'This law is a good beginning. It's long overdue and it's urgently needed,' Alvarado said. 'Forty percent of the people in the state of Washington are renters or manufactured homeowners and before today they had no protections over how high the rent can go, leading to pain and to devastating destabilization of families and communities.' Ferguson also signed nine other bills to help homeowners and renters. He said when he campaigned for governor, affordable housing was the top issue voters raised, so he supports bills to help make it easier to secure housing. 'Let's make this the session of affordable housing,' he said before signing the first measure. The other measures included limits on certain provisions in rental agreements, notices for mobile home communities, and property tax relief for disabled veterans.
Associated Press
07-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Washington governor signs rent-control bill into law
Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill into law Wednesday that sets limits on rent increases , making the state among the first in the nation to provide protections for tenants. The rent stabilization measure, House Bill 1217, adds Washington to states like Oregon and California that have sought new ways to curb homelessness. Bill sponsor Sen. Emily Alvarado, a West Seattle Democrat, said the measure sets common-sense guardrails on the state's rental-housing market 'so that hardworking families and older adults don't get unchecked excessive rent increases.' 'Housing is not a luxury. It's a basic human need,' Alvarado said at the bill signing. 'And everyone in this state deserves a stable and affordable home.' The measure caps rent increases at 7% plus inflation or 10% — whichever is lower. The restrictions include single-family homes. The rent-increase cap for manufactured homes is 5%. Lawmakers approved the plan on a 54-44 vote, with five Democrats joining the Republican opposition. Ferguson praised Alvarado and the many advocates across the state who worked hard to get the bill passed. It almost didn't make it. It successfully moved through both houses, but two amendments added on the Senate floor sent it into a conference committee. Those amendments increased the cap from 7% to 10% plus inflation and exempted single-family homes. Opponents of the bill argued that developers would leave the state if it became law and said similar policies in Oregon and California added to those states' financial burdens instead of slowing the homeless crisis. Oregon's rent-control bill was passed in 2019 and later updated to cap rent increases at either 7% plus the annual 12-month average change in the consumer price index for the U.S. West, or 10% — whichever is lower. The conference committee got the cap down to 7% plus inflation or 10% — whichever is lower, and restored protections for the 38% of renters who live in single-family homes. With Ferguson's signature, it's now law. 'This law is a good beginning. It's long overdue and it's urgently needed,' Alvarado said. 'Forty percent of the people in the state of Washington are renters or manufactured homeowners and before today they had no protections over how high the rent can go, leading to pain and to devastating destabilization of families and communities.' Ferguson also signed nine other bills to help homeowners and renters. He said when he campaigned for governor, affordable housing was the top issue voters raised, so he supports bills to help make it easier to secure housing. 'Let's make this the session of affordable housing,' he said before signing the first measure. The other measures included limits on certain provisions in rental agreements, notices for mobile home communities, and property tax relief for disabled veterans.
New York Times
27-04-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Washington State Lawmakers Vote to Limit Rent Increases
After a protracted battle, Washington State lawmakers voted Sunday to limit annual residential rent increases to no more than 10 percent, positioning the state to become the third in the country to adopt statewide rent regulations. Among the key provisions of House Bill 1217: Between 2001 and 2023, median residential rents in Washington State rose by 43 percent, adjusted for inflation, outpacing the 26 percent rise in renters' incomes over the same period, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a national research group. And while there is broad consensus that more housing needs to be built, supporters of the caps say they can offer short-term predictability and protections for tenants who have been forced to move because of steep price increases. The issue has long been a priority for Democrats, and the Legislature nearly passed a similar bill in 2024. But this year, with a more turbulent economy, supporters say the problem has never been more urgent. 'At a time when people worry whether they'll lose their federal benefits, we can help assure them that here in Washington you won't face an excessive rent hike,' said Emily Alvarado, a Democratic state senator and one of the bill's sponsors, during a floor debate Friday night. Most economists have historically been skeptical of rent control, saying it does more harm than good. But that has started to change somewhat in recent years. In Washington, opponents say rent regulations would discourage new development and reduce the availability of rental homes. And for years, Republicans, joined by moderate Democrats, have scuttled various proposals. But progressives gained more clout after last year's elections and have pushed an agenda that also includes tax increases and spending cuts. Andrew Barkis, a Republican state representative, said in an interview that the new bill was 'driven by ideology.' He said that an earlier version, which called for a 10 percent cap, plus inflation, and exempted most single-family home rentals that were not owned by a corporation, was better. That version had cleared the Senate. 'You put an artificial cap on this, I can guarantee you that every single rent is going to go up,' Mr. Barkis said Rent regulations have typically been embraced by municipalities, not states. More than 300 local governments regulate rents, including New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco. When states get involved, it has often been to prevent local jurisdictions from enacting rent regulations. More than 30 states have done that — including Washington, which blocked local rent regulations in 1981, when Republicans last controlled the governor's office and Legislature. The new bill — which survived some last-minute procedural drama and was passed on Sunday, the last day of the legislative calendar — would not lift that ban. Instead, it is aimed at protecting tenants throughout the state, including those in towns that may be unable or unwilling to take their own action. Until now, California and Oregon had been the only states to adopt statewide rent regulations, both passed in 2019. The cap is 7 percent plus the inflation rate in Oregon, and 5 percent plus inflation in California; both states set a maximum of 10 percent. But there are efforts in both states to lower those caps. The bill heads to Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat who took office this year. While Mr. Ferguson has not stated his intentions, many legislators and lobbyists anticipate he will sign the legislation. It would take effect immediately.
