Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization
This list of stories illustrates the debate among Washington state lawmakers about capping annual rent hikes to safeguard renters while addressing fears of stifling housing supply. House Bill 1217 initially proposed a 7% cap, but Senate amendments raised the proposal to 10% plus inflation, sparking criticism from advocates who fear increased evictions.
The legislative session is scheduled to end on April 27.
Other discussions highlight landlords’ concerns over maintaining profitability and critics who argue that caps could hinder new housing development. Policymakers seek solutions such as broader renter protections, housing density increases, and supply-focused reforms to stabilize the housing market.
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
NO. 1: RENT INCREASES IN WA COULD GET CAPPED AT 7% UNDER LATEST PUSH BY DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS
“You cannot expect people to think about opportunity — to have hope — with the ground shaking underneath them,” sponsor Sen. Yasmin Trudeau says. | Published January 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter
A group of hundreds of students, parents and supporters of K-12 school funding held a Jan. 30 rally at the Tivoli Fountain on the Capitol campus in Olympia as part of a “Billion Dollar Bake Sale” advocacy day. By Steve Bloom
NO. 2: CROWDS STREAM ONTO WA CAPITOL CAMPUS FOR RALLIES ABOUT SCHOOLS, RENT CAPS AND IMMIGRANT JUSTICE
A series of rallies were scheduled throughout the day at the state Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 30. | Published January 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter
Currently moving through the Washington state Legislature House Bill 1217 centers on capping rent and fee increases at 7% annually for tenants statewide. Feb. 24th photo taken in Lacey, Wa. along 14th Ave. SE. By Steve Bloom
NO. 3: BILL CAPPING ANNUAL RENT INCREASES AT 7% CLEARS WA HOUSE: ‘WE MUST GIVE PEOPLE STABILITY’
Opponents argue the proposal would be bad for small landlords and scare off housing developers. | Published March 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter
NO. 4: FROM RENT CAP COMPROMISE TO CONDO RULES, HOW WA IS WORKING TO SOLVE ITS HOUSING CRISIS
“What a landlord does is they charge what the market can bear. But Washingtonians can’t bear it anymore,” said state Sen. Emily Alvarado. | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter
NO. 5: HOUSING ADVOCATES SAY SENATE VERSION OF RENT-CAP BILL ‘GUTS’ TENANT PROTECTIONS
“The difference between what the House passed and what the Senate passed is so extreme,” said Michele Thomas, policy and advocacy director for the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance. | Published April 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter
This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.
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