Councilmember Sawant, community members announce renewed drive for rent control

Councilmember Sawant announces renewed drive for rent control

5/5/20211:02:48

Councilmember Kshama Sawant (District 3, Central Seattle), chair of the Council's Sustainability and Renters Rights Committee, unveils renters' rights legislation. Sawant and community members describe plans to push the City Council to enact residential and commercial rent control, currently banned by state legislation. Sawant also unveils companion legislation to address the growing rent crisis for tenants and struggling small businesses, including requiring landlords to provide 180 days' notice for any rent increases and providing for landlord-paid economic eviction assistance for any tenant who is forced out of their home due to rent increases.

Speakers include:

Councilmember Kshama Sawant, City of Seattle

Shirley Henderson, small business owner

Reverend Dr. Robert Jeffrey, Sr., New Hope Missionary Baptist Church

Jordan Van Voast, homeowner, nonprofit leader, parent, climate justice activist

Amzi Jeffs, union activist, renter

Joe Sugrue, union activist, renter

Castill Hightower, Black Lives Matter activist

Matt Maley, educator, union member, renter

Deyo Esquivel, indigenous community activist, renter

Renée Holmes, Central District renter

Raghav Kaushik, tech worker, homeowner, immigrant community activist