December 3, 2020

Dear Legislator, 

These are difficult and challenging times. Federal, state, and local government have implemented measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 that have meant job and income loss. This income loss has created housing insecurity. Eviction bans do nothing to ameliorate this. On the contrary, eviction bans have encouraged some concerned people to hold back on rent payments even when they can pay. And for those who have lost income, the ban does not pay their growing balance of unpaid rent. When you consider what to do please consider the following principles. 

• People who have lost income need fast, efficient rent relief, not defenses from eviction actions that benefit eviction defense attorney’s win loss records; 
• Government is grossly inefficient at distributing cash benefits and any and all relief should be coordinated with non-profit credit unions like the program that has distributed millions in rent relief in Hawaii; 
• Housing providers risk their private property to create housing, they are doing a service and they are trying to help their residents; 
• When housing providers are deprived of their income, they can’t pay property taxes, mortgages, and are forced to lay off employees; and 
• It’s time to listen to people who actually provide housing and experts in real estate not government sponsored eviction attorneys or lobbyists.  

I understand the people enter politics, often, with high ideals. Just as often they run for office for approbation. However, we have to say that the Governor and the Legislature have failed the people of this state. While the Governor has turned the state’s economy off and on like a child playing with a light switch, real people and families are suffering. Surprisingly, most are paying rent. We’d urge you to look at real data (see attached) for the scope of the problem not breathless data from the Commerce Department about back rent. 

Please take a look at the recommendations from The Center for Housing Economics a project we began to respond to deeply flawed housing data motivating equally flawed housing policy. Please talk to real housing providers not lobbyists who claim to represent them or their tenants. We are here to help facilitate that as session approaches. 

Sincerely, 
Roger Valdez
Director 
Seattle For Growth