Title
Vulnerable Renter Protections Discussion
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Discuss potential vulnerable rental regulations and provide staff with feedback and direction.
Report
Issue:
Whether to discuss vulnerable renter regulations that would provide renters with more advance notice for rent increases and additional notice for no cause evictions.
Staff Contact:
Keith Stahley, Director Community Planning and Development Department 360.753.8227
Presenter(s):
Keith Stahley, Director Community Planning and Development Department
Anna Schlecht, Housing Program Manager
Background and Analysis:
Rental vacancy rates are at a historic low and rental rates continue to increase, putting ever greater pressure on vulnerable renters. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's 2016 Comprehensive Housing Market Analysis (HMA), "Rental market rental housing market conditions in the HMA currently are slightly tight, with an overall vacancy rate of 5.0 percent, down from 7.0 percent in April 2010. The apartment market is tight, with an apartment vacancy rate of 2.6 percent in September 2016 (Dupre+Scott Apartment Advisors). During the forecast period, demand is expected for 1,750 new rental units. The 610 units currently under construction will satisfy some of the forecast demand." There is no reason to believe that this situation has lessened over the past two years.
According to the Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH), the City of Olympia is now a majority renter community. People who rent are often our most vulnerable citizens and rent often consumes a disproportionate amount of their household income. The AFH reports that 57 percent of survey respondents were paying more than 30percent of their income for rent and are characterized as "rent burdened".
While direct rent control is not allowed in the State of Washington per RCW 35.21.830, there are several steps that ...
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