Rents in Washington have been increasing faster than many places in the country. Rents in Washington are now the fifth highest in the nation. A typical two-bedroom apartment is now over $2,000 a month.
Many of our neighbors are being priced out of their longtime homes due to these increases. Most renters pay more than 30 percent of their income in rent, and a large number pay more than 50 percent. Many of our elderly neighbors are being forced to move due to these increases.
Most of these folks are on fixed incomes and can’t afford the $200, $500 or higher increases per month that some landlords are imposing. Before my mother-in-law moved to an assisted-living facility, she was on the verge of having to move from her home of 20 years due to increasing rent.
The time is now to support candidates who support rent-stabilization legislation that would limit increases for many to a reasonable amount. These limits are important to keep our communities stable and affordable.
