Find the latest summaries and policy updates for all multifamily housing regulations and policies.
Now that the 2023 legislative session is complete, and we have had time to digest all that happened, WMFHA will be hosting a Legislative Wrap-Up Webinar on July 12. The webinar will give a brief overview of what transpired during the session, including the failure of several rent control and... Continue Reading
The summary of the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act was created by Joe Puckett, founding Board Member and former Director of Government Affairs. Each year, to coincide with the Virtual Legal Symposium (VSL), this document is updated, summarizing new laws passed by the Washington... Continue Reading
Seattle City Council Member Sara Nelson will join the WMFHA Government Affairs Committee on Thursday June 15 from 12:30-2 to give an update on industry issues in Seattle and to hear members’ concerns about current processes in Seattle. She will update members on her role as Vice-Chair of... Continue Reading
Mike Kingsella, CEO of Up for Growth will join the WMFHA Government Affairs Committee at its June meeting on Thursday, June 15 from 12:30-2 to discuss the partnership of WMFHA and Up for Growth and give an update on the current initiatives Up for Growth is executing. WMFHA and Up for Growth have... Continue Reading
Tacoma recently had a work session on proposed “Tenant Protections” legislation. Although it is not currently scheduled for first reading before council, that action is expected to happen at an upcoming council meeting, possibly as early as next week. Ryan Makinster, Director of... Continue Reading
WMFHA along with a number of trade association and multi-family developers sent a letter to the Kirkland Planning Commission highlighting concerns NE 85th St Station Area Plan Affordable Housing Requirements as proposed by ARCH and city staff. Specifically, the coalition is concerned with the... Continue Reading
May 19 is the filing deadline for local, city and county, elected races. Although WMFHA has traditionally focused mostly on state races, with recent actions at city and county councils, it has become imperative that we, as an association, start becoming more active in these races. The WMFHA PAC... Continue Reading
The Government Affairs Committee (GAC) created two ad hoc subcommittees, the Seattle Economic Displacement Relocation Assistance (EDRA) and Required Notification committees. The EDRA subcommittee is tasked with discussing appeals and implementation of the Economic Displacement Relocation... Continue Reading
The Seattle Office of Housing has updated their requirements for “holding deposits” for MFTE units after receiving feedback from housing providers. As of April 2021, MFTE communities were only able to collect a holding deposit of $100 for MFTE units upon application. In addition,... Continue Reading
Seattle Councilmember Kshama Sawant is urging her supports to sign a petition to pass rent control in Seattle and is drafting an ordinance so it can be rubber stamped by her Sustainability and Renter’s Rights Committee before moving to the full council. Although it wouldn’t... Continue Reading
We are still accepting candidates for the Public Affairs Manager position at WMFHA. This position supports our association’s visible and proactive government affairs engagement with priority jurisdictions throughout Washington State, working with elected officials, stakeholders, and public... Continue Reading
On Tuesday March 21, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that s key portion of a Seattle law meant to guard against housing discrimination is unconstitutional. In their ruling, they found that barring landlords from asking prospective tenants about “any arrest record, conviction... Continue Reading
