Winter Eviction Ban Proposed In Seattle

SEATTLE, WA — The Seattle City Council is considering a ban on all evictions during the coldest months of the year and could vote on the proposal as early as next week. Councilmember Kshama Sawant, who was re-elected in District 3 in November, proposed the legislation Monday after the Seattle Renters' Commission recommended a moratorium similar protections established in Paris. If passed, the law would be the first of its kind in the United States.

In a letter sent to the City Council and Mayor Jenny Durkan's office in early November, Devin Silvernail and Jessica Westgren, the co-chairs of the Renters' Commission, urged the city to act swiftly.

"If we are truly in a Homelessness State of Emergency, it is time for our City to start acting like it and a moratorium on winter eviction is one way to address this emergency," the letter reads in part.

During Monday's hearing, councilmembers discussed the plan and weighed potential legal battles that may ensue if it is enacted.

"I want to make sure we don't lead with our chin and have another lawsuit brought against us," Councilmember Sally Bagshaw said.

City Council President Bruce Harrell echoed Bagshaw's concerns, saying he supported the policy, but worried litigation would be inevitable.

"Even if it passes next Monday, there may be some lawsuit initiated, even if we think we're on solid footing," Harrell said.

Sawant said her office would continue to work with the city's legal team and determine if there could be certain scenarios where an eviction would still be permitted. The current draft of the legislation would bar all evictions between Nov. 1 and March 31., including those initiated for failure to pay rent. According to the Seattle Times, there were 3,200 evictions in King County in 2017, with the vast majority due to nonpayment of rent.

Sawant said she hopes to bring the matter up for a vote by next Monday, Dec. 16. Otherwise, the council could vote on the legislation in early January.