Following multiple discussions with Mount Rainier residents and other interests, the City Council will vote February 7 on whether to pass a new rent stabilization ordinance.

In recent City Council meetings, residents have shared their views and their personal experiences. Several renters have discussed their fear of having their lives upended by sharp rent-increases and possibly being forced to move. Several spoke of how much they love being able to raise their children in Mount Rainier and send them to the quality schools offered here, an option they could lose if they get priced out of their homes.

Resident Susana Coca said at the January 17 legislative meeting, “Every year we receive rent increases that don’t match … how much our wages go up at work. … We need protection.“

Some pointed out that their incomes even went down due to Covid lockdowns, while rent prices went up.

The City Council also heard from an opponent of the proposal. Though not a resident himself, Ryan Washington spoke on behalf of the Apartment and Office Building Association (AOBA), an organization representing owners and managers of rental properties. “Solutions should be aimed toward increasing housing supply rather than controlling rent prices,” he advised the City Council. “Rent stabilization will only cause more harm than good [as it will discourage] investment in rental housing, constrain the current supply of affordable housing, and continue to exacerbate the overall affordable housing issue.”

Council Member Luke Chesek, however, cited a study showing little evidence that rent stabilization affects investment in creating new housing. That study did show such regulation can reduce the number of rental units available by motivating some owners to convert rental property to condominiums, but the study’s strongest finding is that such policies succeed in their two main goals: keeping rental costs reasonable and predictable.

“Being secure in the ability to pay your rent is vital to managing your life,” says Mayor Celina Benitez, explaining her push for the ordinance. “Our residents are speaking clearly on this issue. They need more stability. And we, as city leaders, need to listen to them.”