Edmonds recently became one of the few cities in the state to require landlords to provide relocation help to low-income residents who have to move when their apartment buildings are converted to condominiums.
Seattle and Mercer Island are the only other cities known to provide such assistance, according to Carol Tobin, a public policy consultant for the Municipal Research Center in Seattle.
The Edmonds City Council voted earlier this month to require landlords to provide $500 to low-income residents forced to move when their buildings are converted.
The city defines “low income” as less than 80 percent of the monthly median income for comparable households in the area.
Several residents brought their predicaments to the council’s attention earlier this year.
“It just seemed to me a problem out there exists and we ought to address it as best we can,” Edmonds City Councilwoman Mauri Moore said.
Norma Bruns, 83, and her husband lived for 21/2 years in an apartment at the Admiralty House, 960 Fifth Ave. S.
The couple had downsized from their Edmonds home of 35 years. In June, they were told they had to be out in 90 days.
“It’s upsetting, and it was upsetting to a lot of people who lived there,” Bruns said.
The couple was offered the chance to buy their two-bedroom, two-bath apartment for about $319,000, Bruns said. They weren’t interested and found another apartment in downtown Edmonds.
“We’re lucky, we found a nice place,” she said.
More help could be on the way for residents across the state.
State Sen. Darlene Fairley, D-Lake Forest Park, plans to introduce a bill in January allowing cities and counties to require landlords to provide up to $2,500 in assistance.
Fairley’s bill seeks to require landlords to give residents 120 days’ notice, as opposed to the current 90 days; would not allow refurbishing work to take place in the building during the 120-day notice period; and would allow local governments to establish relocation assistance programs.
Many older residents don’t have the first- and last-month’s rent, plus damage deposit, required to move, Fairley said.
“It’s the affordability issue,” she said.
Moore said if the bill is approved, she’ll push the City Council to require the higher amount.
“I don’t think $500 is enough for relocation these days,” she said.
Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.
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