Tacoma committee reviews narrow edits to Landlord Fairness Code after providers report rising delinquencies; no vote

Councilmember Rumbaugh on Oct. 23 brought draft edits to the Landlord Fairness Code Initiative before the Community Vitality and Safety Committee, saying the session was a discussion and no final action would be taken. Public commenters and several housing providers told the committee the code has coincided with higher rent delinquencies that threaten the finances of mission-driven affordable housing providers.

The committee heard 10 public speakers during the public comment period. April Black, executive director of the Tacoma Housing Authority, said the authority operates about 1,800 affordable units and manages close to 5,500 vouchers and reported a rise in unpaid rent since the LFCI took effect: "Currently, 40% of our tenants are now 30 days or more behind on rent compared to 15% in 2019." Black also told the committee the housing authority had loaned $430,000 to its properties this year to cover debts owed to lenders and investors.

Other nonprofit providers described similar strains. Amanda DeChaseau, executive director of the Affordable Housing Consortium, said surveys of local providers showed "20 to 40% of tenants are behind on rent" at some organizations and that prolonged eviction timelines, property damage and unpaid balances are placing operating funds and supportive services at risk. Pepper Washington, resident services manager at Mercy Housing, described cases of repeated lease violations, safety concerns…