Thank you to The Herald Editorial Board for its editorial, regarding rent stabilization (“Rental cap balances needs of tenants, landlords,” Jan. 25, The Herald). I agree completely.
I’m a University of Washington graduate with an established career, and I’ve been working full time in housing services since I graduated in 2019. In 2023, when my landlord hiked my rent near the end of my lease, I became homeless for 45 days.
At that time, I was running a rapid rehousing program, literally housing people off the street. I housed the homeless by day and returned to my own homelessness at night.
These things happen to people in our community all the time, but most people never would have imagined it could happen to me. And unfortunately, my story is not unique. There are other housing service providers living in their own homelessness right now.
I know from experience that excessive rent increases are driving displacement in our communities. Studies show that every $100 rent increase leads to at least a 9 percent increase in homelessness.
Passing HB 1217 and SB 5222 will help millions of renter households stay in their homes, providing stability and predictability for renters and landlords alike. In a time when housing affordability and homelessness are some of the top issues on the minds of Washingtonians, this bill could not be more important.
Quelminda Fernandes
Lynnwood
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