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Hundreds speak at City Hall: public comment centers on banning rental junk fees and funding for trans support
Summary
Dozens of in-person and remote commenters urged the City Council to ban hidden rental fees, reject amendments they said would weaken protections, and to fund community organizations supporting transgender people arriving in Seattle; speakers described personal experiences and service needs.
The Council heard more than a hundred public commenters in a hybrid session on Aug. 11, with many speakers urging passage of the rental junk-fee ordinance and opposing amendments (commonly referenced as C and D). Advocates described surprise administrative charges, pet rent and recurring fees that push renters into housing instability.
Samantha Grad (speaking for Teamsters 117) said surprise fees are "dishonest" and urged the Council to pass the bill. Polet Abpai of the Washington Housing Alliance asked councilors to "please vote yes today and ensure that no amendments are added that will weaken protections." Tenant advocates stressed that pet rent, late fees and add‑ons are frequently applied after lease renewal and can trap tenants.
Speakers also asked the Council to fund responses for transgender people relocating to Seattle because of hostile laws in other states. Council member Rink and others framed a one-time $300,000 allocation in the midyear supplemental as an urgent, though limited, step to support shelters and community-based care for people arriving under duress. Opponents of the funding and some commenters characterized migration as a choice; those claims were contested repeatedly in the hearing by service providers who described mounting needs.
The public comment period included testimonials from service organizations, renters, landlords and local business representatives; Council President Hollingsworth and committee chairs reminded speakers of time limits and procedural rules as the session proceeded.
