Title
Tenant Screening Policy Options
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Consider tenant screening policy options and discuss next steps.
Report
Issue:
Whether to consider tenant screening policy options and discuss next steps.
Staff Contact:
Christa Lenssen, Senior Housing Program Specialist, Community Planning & Economic Development, 360.570.3762
Presenter(s):
Christa Lenssen, Senior Housing Program Specialist, Community Planning & Economic Development
Background and Analysis:
Development of Olympia tenant protections
The City of Olympia has been engaged in discussions about renter protections since 2018, prompted by findings from the 2017 Assessment of Fair Housing, 2019 tenant rally at Olympia City Council with proposed amendments to Olympia's code, and regional conversations with Lacey, Tumwater, and Thurston County. In 2019, Council and Council committees discussed several potential policy options and prioritized a set of actions to explore further, in coordination with other local jurisdictions. Staff provided research on tenant protections enacted in other cities, recent and proposed changes at the state level. In March 2020, the City's Land Use & Environment Committee held a forum to begin a community conversation about challenges in rental housing and potential solutions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these discussions were put on hold until mid-2021.
Starting in 2021, staff were directed to research and update the Council's Land Use & Environment Committee (LUEC) regarding potential tenant protection policies and policies adopted in other jurisdictions. Staff researched and interviewed other Washington cities about their tenant protection policies. Community stakeholder feedback was solicited regarding various policy proposals. LUEC reviewed stakeholder input and staff research to prioritize policies for adoption in the forthcoming years. Since 2022, Olympia City Council has...
Click here for full text