Capacity-building has become a hot topic for governments and foundations everywhere, but what does it really mean and why do we want to invest in it? The City relies on non-profit organizations to deliver a significant amount of critical human services. The Human Services Department (HSD) currently has 400 contracts with nearly 200 organizations. HSD’s […]
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October 16, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Licata
Urban Politics #383 Explaining the Mystery of the City Budget
This may sound like a boring topic with a title that is trying hard to make it exciting. However, if I were to title it “How to spend a million dollars,” you might read it. And, hopefully you are right now. So here it is in a nutshell. The City’s 2016 Budget determines how your […]
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October 15, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Licata
UP #382 – A Proposal for New Tenant Protection Legislation
Early yesterday, on October 14, 2015, I joined Councilmember Sawant in announcing our new proposal for protecting tenants facing rent increases. Our current law (Seattle Municipal Code 7.24.030) was a result of legislation passed 17 years ago, which I sponsored. It contains a range of protections for tenants. It requires landlords to give a minimum […]
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October 12, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Okamoto
Honoring Our Native Peoples
One year ago, I remember how proud I was when the Council and Mayor declared the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the City of Seattle. Many know that date to be the federally enacted Columbus Day. For a long time, Columbus was celebrated for his “discovery of America,” when indigenous people […]
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October 9, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Burgess
Budget Season Begins
It’s City budget time again. Last week the Mayor presented his budget proposal to the Council and this week the Council heard more details from the various department heads. Starting October 19, we will begin to identify issues and possible...
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October 9, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Bagshaw, Councilmember Rasmussen, News Releases
Councilmembers Rasmussen and Bagshaw’s Statement on Belltown Property Landmark Nomination
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/9/2015
Councilmembers Rasmussen and Bagshaw's Statement on Belltown Property Landmark Nomination
SEATTLE - Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen and Sally Bagshaw issued the following statement today on the Seattle Landmark Board's decision to nominate the Wayne Apartments at 2224 2nd Avenue as an historic landmark:
"We are very pleased with the decision of the Board to designate the Wayne Apartments as an historic landmark. The building is one of the few remaining structures from the late 19th century, and may be the only building of its kind to survive the monumental effort to regrade Denny Hill. We are glad to see such an important successful step toward retaining the structure as a piece of Seattle’s living history.
"Wednesday night over one hundred community members spent hours at the Landmarks Board meeting, making the case for preservation. Today, we enthusiastically congratulate them for their work and this historic decision. These are neighbors who truly consider themselves family. We thank them for the countless hours of research and community organizing, and look forward to continuing to work with the neighborhood to ensure this rare part of Belltown showcases its history of music, art and film, and with this action starts a new chapter."
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October 6, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Licata, Councilmember O'Brien, Councilmember Sawant, News Releases
Councilmembers and Community Organizers to Join Tenants in Slumlord Protest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/6/2015
Councilmembers and Community Organizers to Join Tenants in Slumlord Protest
SEATTLE - Seattle City Councilmembers Kshama Sawant, Nick Licata and Mike O'Brien have joined with tenants and advocacy groups to call a protest against unlivable conditions and economic eviction at the hands of notorious Seattle slumlord, Carl Haglund.
Tenants will be joined Wednesday morning by Councilmember Kshama Sawant, King County Councilmember Larry Gossett, the Tenants Union of Washington State, the Low Income Housing Institute, LGBTQ Allyship, Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action, Standing Against Foreclosure and Eviction, the Seattle King County NAACP, the Transit Riders Union, and other housing justice activists.
The appalling conditions faced by tenants of Haglund's Columbia City Condos at 6511 Rainier Ave S, and their courageous resistance, have been recently featured by several news outlets, detailing infestations of rats and roaches, mold, broken heaters and damaged electrical systems.
"Big Business, real-estate and landlord lobbyists argue that policies like rent control encourage slumlords. Haglund is a perfect example of how the opposite is true: Slumlords thrive in unregulated markets," said Councilmember Sawant.
WHAT:
Rally to protest slumlord Carl Haglund's treatment of tenants and the poor quality of living conditions at his properties
WHERE:
Carl Haglund's Columbia City Condos Office
3818 S Edmunds St. (Corner of Rainier and Edmunds)
Seattle, WA 98118
WHEN:
Wednesday, October 7
8:00AM
WHO:
Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant
King County Councilmember Larry Gossett
Tenants of 6511 Rainier Ave. S and other buildings owned by Carl Haglund
Tenants Union of Washington State
Low Income Housing Institute
LGBTQ Allyship
Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action
Standing Against Foreclosure and Eviction
Seattle King County NAACP
Transit Riders Union
Local housing justice advocates
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Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
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October 5, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Godden, News Releases
Councilmember Godden’s Statement on Creating a New Park in the Roosevelt Neighborhood
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/5/2015
Councilmember Godden's Statement on Creating a New Park in the Roosevelt Neighborhood
SEATTLE - Councilmember Jean Godden today issued the following statement in response to Council's vote to acquire property at 1322 NE 65th Street to create a new park in the Roosevelt neighborhood:
"Today is a good day for Roosevelt. Legislation passed today is another step toward building a livable neighborhood that welcomes new residents and, with this small open space, offers breathing room and respite for residents and families.
"I'm so pleased Mayor Murray took the extra time needed to develop a balanced approach, recognizing the need for and working toward more affordable housing while acquiring new open space - a high priority for neighbors.
"While this is a big step forward, it is just one step on a long pathway toward making Roosevelt a dense, livable and affordable neighborhood that is welcoming to all.
"Overall: a good day for Roosevelt and Ravenna neighbors."
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Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21, HD Channels 321 Comcast, 721 Wave and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
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October 5, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Licata, Councilmember O'Brien, News Releases
Council Adopts Bill Protecting Tenants from Economic Eviction
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/5/2015
Council Adopts Bill Protecting Tenants from Economic Eviction
SEATTLE - Council unanimously adopted a bill today to prevent landlords from drastically raising rents on low-income tenants for the purpose of evicting them without providing relocation assistance. Currently, if a building is to be torn down or renovated, landlords must give tenants who have to move 90 days notice and pay $3,255 in Tenant Relocation Assistance to low-income households. Recently, there have been reports of low-income tenants' rents doubling so they'll voluntarily vacate, all so landlords can avoid paying the required relocation assistance.
The bill Council adopted today prohibits rent increases for the purpose of avoiding the required Tenant Relocation Assistance process. If a landlord increases rent by 20 percent or more, which results in a tenant vacating a unit within 90 days, then applies for a permit to substantially rehabilitate the unit within 6 months, the owner can have their building permit denied until the owner pays the penalties. Penalties are $1,000 per day for each day from the date the violation began.
"Landlords have been forcing low-income people from their homes without providing the time or resources necessary to help them relocate," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien, the legislation's sponsor. "Today we closed a loophole, but there's still so much more to do."
Co-sponsor, Councilmember Nick Licata, said, "Each year tenants are deprived of critical relocation assistance following a massive rent hike due to state law allowing rent increases of any size. This bill is important to stop what, over the years, an increasing number of property owners have learned they can do as a regular business practice."
Liz Etta, Executive Director of the Tenants Union of Washington said, "This is a tremendous win for tenants in the city. Every day, we hear from renters who are forced to leave their homes over sky high rent increases. We are thankful to the City Council for this necessary protection, and for all they have done to keep Seattle equitable and affordable."
If a tenant believes their rent has been raised for the purpose of eviction to avoid Tenant Relocation Assistance regulations, they should register a complaint with the Department of Planning and Development here: http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/codesrules/makeacomplaint/default.htm
# # #
Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21, HD Channels 321 Comcast, 721 Wave and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
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October 5, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Okamoto
A Voice for Drivers: A Complex Solution
I support the effort to offer independent contractors needed protections in an evolving and competitive industry. This past Friday, the Committee on Finance and Culture unanimously voted to create collective bargaining protections for for-hire drivers in Seattle. I’ve heard significant public testimony and met with unions, taxis, Uber, Lyft, and independent drivers regarding this legislation. […]