There are some issues to connect here in understanding the importance of a landlord-tenant measure such as Olympia for All has proposed. First, is that while the situation with rent increases is a national problem, the rents in Ithaca have surpassed the national average of accelerated increases.
Second is that the cost of rent is related to our homeless problem. Thurston County just yesterday released its new homeless figures, showing that we have more homeless people this year than last. Rent increases are linked to homelessness everywhere.
Third, renters are now organizing and demanding that local governments do something to address their plight. Today's (April 5) issue of the New York Times had a big story and photo of renters protesting in Manhattan City Hall, demanding action on rents there. Coast-to-coast, these demands are growing.
It is important to mention that our own Olympia City Council is considering a package of measures to address rent increases that incorporate most of Olympia for All's points/demands. These will be discussed and voted on Tuesday (April 9) at the Council's meeting. It's my understanding that several (perhaps a majority) of the County Commissioners are supportive of the city's plans.
What I would like to hear from a few more landlords is concern for this problem and some genuine empathy for those at the margins struggling to make ends meet and who are frightened of being priced out of their homes. One of them is a young single mother our family knows who finally saved up enough money to secure a small apartment for herself and child, only to have her rent increased after the first six months. She has gig employment and an uncertain future. We call this precarious housing circumstances, and we can do something about it with better public policy.
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