Eviction filings in Washington skyrocket

Washington state faces a historic surge in eviction filings, with January 2025 showing a 66% increase in King County compared to pre-pandemic levels. Philippe Knab, director of the Office of Civil Legal Aid's eviction defense program, highlighted the alarming trend as a result of rising rents, stagnant wages, and the expiration of pandemic-related eviction protections. The Right to Counsel program, which began in 2021 to assist low-income tenants, is now overwhelmed and unable to serve every eligible client. Proposed federal cuts to crucial safety net programs threaten to exacerbate the homelessness crisis gripping the state. A new law limiting annual rent increases to 7% plus inflation aims to provide some relief, but advocates like Michele Thomas caution that it may not adequately address affordability issues.

The law, signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson, requires landlords to give 90 days' notice before any rent hikes. While housing advocates celebrate this legislative victory, they stress that many tenants will still face unaffordable rent increases, leaving them vulnerable to eviction. The combination of rising eviction rates and proposed safety net cuts paints a dire picture for low-income residents in Washington.