Advocacy News

State Legislature Passes E3SHB 2578 regarding Source of Income

The Washington Multi-Family Housing Association (WMFHA) welcomes the passage of Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 2578 establishing statewide source of income protections, and creating the Landlord Mitigation Fund in statute. The new law, which will take effect September 30, decreases the... Continue Reading

Bellingham Passes Tenant Protections

The City of Bellingham recently passed a law creating additional tenant protections for residents living in rental properties. The law affects all multifamily rental properties within the city limits of Bellingham. Click links below to learn more about each of the tenant protections passed by... Continue Reading

State Legislative Update - Week 8

It’s the bottom of the 9th inning in Olympia this week. Thursday, March 8 marks the end of the 2018 regular session. Recall last year, the end of the regular session was followed by two special sessions. A repeat of last year seems unlikely this year. Friday marked the last day either... Continue Reading

State Legislative Update - Week 7

It's the beginning of March Madness in the Legislature. By Friday, March 2, all legislation must be passed out of the opposite house from where it originated. The Notice of Termination bill is 'dead' this session, but source of income remains alive. Find out more about these bills and what... Continue Reading

State Legislative Update - Week 6

Last week marked the ‘half way point’ in the legislative session. February 14 was the last day any bill could receive consideration in its house of origin. If a bill did not receive a vote on the House or Senate floor by the 14th, it is considered 'dead' for the 2018 legislative... Continue Reading

6 Things You Need to Know about Seattle's Fair Chance Housing Law

The City of Seattle’s Fair Chance Housing ordinance took effect Monday, February 19, 2018. With the city of Seattle limts, the use of arrest records, criminal conviction records and/or criminal history in tenant screening is prohibited, except for information contained in a local, state... Continue Reading

State Legislative Update - Week 5

On Friday both the House and Senate voted on and passed amended source of income proposals. Wednesday, February 14, marks the final day the Chamber of origin can vote on and pass legislation before it dies. Read more about Source of Income and efforts by our colleagues at NAA to pass Federal... Continue Reading

State Legislative Update - Week 4

A few things lived and a few things died. This week was the policy cut off for both the House and Senate. This means that if a bill did not receive a vote in its policy committee, it is considered dead for the session. All legislation that remains alive must be voted out of the Chamber of... Continue Reading

State Legislative Update - Week 3

Week 3 in Olympia brought a public hearing on rent control and more negotiations on source of income. Things are moving quickly in Olympia. There is just one week remaining before most bills must be passed out of it’s committee of origin. If the proposed legislation is not passed out of... Continue Reading

State Legislative Update - Week 2

It's never slow and it is never quiet in Olympia during any legislative session and this one is no exception. There are only 10 business days left before committees must move legislation forward or the legislation is considered dead. Here’s a summary and recent activity of all the... Continue Reading

State Legislative Update - Week 1

We’re back! January 8th marked the first day of the 2018 legislative session. Today we are one week into the legislative session, and legislators are moving full steam ahead with hearings on proposed legislation. This legislative session is considered a “short session,” and is... Continue Reading

Seattle's Criminal Records Law - An Update

On August 14, 2017, the Seattle City Council passed an ordinance 8-0, which prevents housing providers from considering a person’s prior criminal history in tenant screening. A copy of the ordinance can be found here. WMFHA previously published a summary of the ordinance which can found... Continue Reading