Eviction filings in Washington skyrocket

Eviction filings in Washington state reached unprecedented levels, with King County seeing a 66% increase compared to pre-pandemic rates in January 2025. Philippe Knab, director of the Office of Civil Legal Aid’s Right to Counsel program, highlighted that the number of displacements has reached a historic high, with statewide filings increasing 53% since 2019. The rise in evictions has been driven by escalating rents, stagnant wages, and the expiration of pandemic-era protections. The Right to Counsel program, designed to provide legal representation to low-income tenants, is struggling to keep up with demand, as it can no longer represent every eligible tenant in King County. A new rent stabilization law caps annual rent increases at 7% plus inflation or 10%, aiming to protect renters from excessive price hikes.

Despite this measure, advocates warn that many tenants will still face rent increases they cannot afford, leading to potential evictions. The situation is compounded by proposed cuts to federal safety net programs, which threaten to exacerbate the homelessness crisis. Housing advocates emphasize that while the new law is a step forward, significant challenges remain in addressing the state's housing affordability crisis.