PCD 2023-05-01 Item 1A - Policy - Renter Protection Policy Proposals

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City of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Planning and Community Development Committee FROM: Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst DATE: April 19, 2023 SUBJECT: Renter Protection Policy Proposals ISSUE The Transit Riders Union has approached the City Council about adding additional regulations/protections for tenants in Tukwila. The City Council referred the proposal to the Planning and Community Development Committee for review and discussion. BACKGROUND Various federal, state, and local laws protect housing rights, including the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, the Washington State Residential Landlord -Tenant Act, and the Washington State Mobile Home Landlord -Tenant Act. The City of Tukwila has several local code provisions and programs in place that are designed to protect renters, summarized below. Residential Rental Business License and Inspection Program Codified at Tukwila Municipal Code 5.06, this program was established in 2010 to protect the health and safety of renters by ensuring proper maintenance of housing units and requiring correction of substandard conditions. Rental unit owners are required to obtain an annual license and complete housing unit inspections every four years. In 2015 the inspection checklist was updated to incorporate National Healthy Housing Standards relating to pest management and mold. Rental housing staff provides information to tenants about Washington's Residential Landlord -Tenant Act and where to seek assistance with resolving a dispute with a landlord. Source of Income Discrimination Codified at Tukwila Municipal Code 8.47 (Fair Housing Regulations), this ordinance was adopted in 2017 and prohibits property owners and landlords from refusing to rent to families or individuals based solely on the fact that their income includes government subsidies such as Section 8, HUD-VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing), or other assistance programs. Because the housing market in the area is so competitive with rising rents, people that rely on assistance programs are vulnerable to discrimination and this provides some protection. The State Legislature adopted source of income protections that became effective statewide on September 30, 2018. Relocation Assistance Adopted in 2006 and codified at Tukwila Municipal Code 8.46, this established a relocation assistance program for tenants whose dwellings have been condemned by the City. lithe City determines that a landlord has failed to provide the tenant with relocation assistance as