22.210.020 - Findings and purpose
A.
Findings
1.
The City of Seattle is experiencing a rapid rate of development that has reduced and
continues to reduce the supply of rental housing available to low-and moderate-income
tenants and has reduced the supply of rental housing affordable to such tenants.
2.
The development and real estate market in Seattle has not been able to replace low-income
units lost due to demolition, change of use, substantial rehabilitation, and removal
of rent or income restrictions from assisted housing, making it more difficult and
more costly for low-income persons who are displaced by demolition, change of use,
substantial rehabilitation, or removal of rent or income restrictions to locate affordable
substitute rental housing.
3.
Rents in Seattle have been increasing rapidly and vacancies in rental housing are
at low levels, making it increasingly difficult for tenants, especially those with
low incomes, to locate affordable rental housing.
4.
Pursuant to the public hearing held on June 7, 1990, the City Council finds that costs
incurred by tenants to relocate within Seattle include actual physical moving costs,
advance payments, utility fees, security and damage deposits and anticipated additional
rent and utility costs, which, on average, equal or exceed $2,000 per tenant household.
5.
The State of Washington has adopted legislation authorizing local jurisdictions to
require the payment of relocation assistance to low-income tenants who are displaced
from dwelling units by housing demolition, change of use, substantial rehabilitation,
or removal of rent or income restrictions.
6.