Advocacy News

Find the latest summaries and policy updates for all multifamily housing regulations and policies.  

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Housing Providers Doing Everything They Can
Housing Providers Doing Everything They Can

Housing providers are doing everything they can, but a long-term solution is needed to address housing during COVID-19 and beyond. COVID-19 represents a complete shock to Washington’s vital systems, infrastructure, and institutions. The virus is testing our world-class healthcare workers,... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted03/25/2020


Small Business Loan and Owner Assistance
Small Business Loan and Owner Assistance

Assistance for Small Businesses Across the United States, multifamily communities are grappling with the COVID-19 outbreak. Social distancing is being put into place, as well as regular deep cleaning of community spaces and changes to daily operations. With April 1 around the corner, many... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted03/25/2020


Mortgage Relief for Multifamily Property Owners
Mortgage Relief for Multifamily Property Owners

Dear valued members,The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) yesterday announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the Enterprises will offer mortgage forbearance for multifamily property owners, under the condition that they suspend all evictions for renters who are unable to pay rent because of... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted03/24/2020


Shelter-in-Place
Shelter-in-Place

Dear WMFHA members,Today, Governor Inslee announced a shelter-in-place order called Stay Home, Stay Healthy. It goes into effect on Wednesday, March 25 at 5:30 pm. The order does the following: Requires every Washingtonian to stay home unless they need to pursue an essential activity. Bans all... Continue Reading

Postedby Jim Wiard (deleted)
Date posted03/23/2020


Shelter-In-Place Guidance
Shelter-In-Place Guidance

Last night, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order N-33-20 mandating all individuals living in California to stay home or at their place of residence to protect public health, exempting certain essential services. This is one example of a policy that could be adopted in our state as... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted03/20/2020


Statewide Eviction Moratorium
Statewide Eviction Moratorium

Dear WMFHA members, Today, Governor Inslee announced a statewide eviction moratorium. The Governor's order prohibits rental housing providers from serving a 14-day notice to pay rent or vacate for default payment of rent. Housing providers are also prohibited from issuing a 20-day notice to... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted03/18/2020


COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium
COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium

An update on the coronavirus-related government actions. ***update March 18, 2020 - The WA Supreme Court has ordered a stay of all Writs until April 27, 2020. The following cities have enacted eviction moratoria - Seattle, Kenmore, Everett, Woodinville, and King County (sheriff -... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted03/17/2020


Supporting Renters Impacted by COVID-19
Supporting Renters Impacted by COVID-19

Support for King County Renters Impacted by COVID-19 King County is experiencing the highest rate of COVID-19 illness in the country and the disease is impacting many elements of daily life. Decisions to cancel or postpone public events or institute building closures are done in the interest of... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted03/11/2020


2020 Legislative Update - Week 8
2020 Legislative Update - Week 8

Tuesday, March 10, is the Washington Presidential Primary. Your vote matters! Regardless of whether you have voted, housing remains a critical issue for any candidate running for any elected position in Washington. As we move forward to the November election, I strongly encourage you to... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted03/9/2020


Legislative Update 2020: Week 7
Legislative Update 2020: Week 7

On Tuesday, the House and Senate voted on three landlord-tenant bills. For all intents and purposes, this is the final hurdle for these legislative proposals before they will become law. With all proposals that are considered in Olympia, there is a lot of give and take between stakeholders and... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted03/3/2020


Legislative Update 2020: Week 6
Legislative Update 2020: Week 6

The 2020 legislative session is “half over.” There are two weeks left and the pace at which legislation moves increases a lot. About last week... This legislative session the WMFHA lobby team has defeated efforts to implement rent control and defeated efforts to prohibit... Continue Reading

Postedby Brett Waller
Date posted02/27/2020


Legislative Update 2020: Week 5
Legislative Update 2020: Week 5

Last Wednesday, the House and Senate began marathon floor sessions to vote on policies that survived the first policy and fiscal cut-offs. The floor sessions will continue until Wednesday, February 19. During this time, the full chamber considers any bill that moved out of its policy committee or... Continue Reading

Postedby Kelly Wakefield (deleted)
Date posted02/17/2020