Monday, December 12, 1 PM
Seattle City Hall, 2nd Floor (600 4th Ave)
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Dear Sisters and Brothers:
In the wake of our victory last month securing $29 million for affordable housing, we now have another opportunity to register a big win for housing justice!
Next Monday, December 12, the Seattle City Council will be casting the final vote on move-in fee reform legislation, which I introduced earlier this year. The move-in fee reform legislation would require landlords to accept payment plans for upfront costs.
Many landlords require prospective tenants to pay nonrefundable fees, security deposits, and last month's rent all at once—on top of first month's rent. When the average rent for a one-bedroom Seattle apartment is $1,700, these high upfront costs can be thousands of dollars, a huge financial burden for renters.
The Rental Housing Association of Washington State is lobbying Councilmembers, hoping to win a massive loophole that could leave one in five renters uncovered. This is unacceptable! One in five Seattle renters can't afford to be left out!
We need to pass move-in fee legislation with no exemptions. And with your help now, we can win!
- Email and call my colleagues on City Council and tell them to pass move-in fee legislation with no exemptions! Here’s an easy link to email Councilmembers. You can find their numbers here. For phone calls, here is an example script: "I'm calling to ask the Councilmember to pass the move-in fee legislation without weakening it because renters can't wait. Rents are growing faster here in Seattle than any other city in the country! Do not exempt any landlords from following this legislation — otherwise fewer tenants will be able to access housing [then share any part of your personal story]."
- Join Washington CAN's "Thunderclap" campaign on Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr (click the link for more info).
- Then come to the final City Council hearing and vote on December 12 at 1 PM and tell Council to pass our move-in fees legislation with no loopholes!
In Solidarity,
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Councilmember Kshama Sawant
Seattle City Council, District 3
Email: Kshama.Sawant@seattle.gov
Phone: (206) 684-8016
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