Council President M. Lorena González issued the following statement after Gov. Jay Inslee announced an extension of the statewide eviction moratorium to October 15:
“Governor Inslee’s announcement that he is extending the statewide eviction moratorium is welcome news to thousands of households in Seattle and across the state that are hard hit by the economic impact of COVID-19. Sheltering in place requires a place to do so, this is incredibly important as COVID-19 infection rates are on the rise. Today’s extension will continue to protect thousands across the state from imminent homelessness as local and federal government continue to get rental assistance out the door. I want to thank Gov. Inslee for this extension,” González said.
In the wake of the COVID-19 economic crisis, the Seattle City Council has passed several pieces of legislation that protect renters and homeowners during the pandemic.
González sponsored and with her Council colleagues passed legislation May 11 that creates payment plans between residential renters and their landlords to pay back rent that became overdue during and six months after the COVID-19 crisis.
The Council passed legislation, sponsored by González, that created an additional defense for renters in eviction proceedings for six months following the end of the City’s moratorium on evictions and the immediate COVID-19 crisis.
The Council also unanimously passed the JumpStart Seattle COVID relief package and spending plan. The plan designates an additional $36 million in 2020 for rental assistance, resources for homeless shelters and affordable housing providers, and mortgage counseling and foreclosure prevention.