Spokane leaders say state rent control law should be changed

SPOKANE — Rent control has been illegal in Washington since 1981, but with the increasing issue of low vacancies and growing homelessness problem, some Spokane leaders think it should be discussed.

The Spokesman-Review reports Rep. Timm Ormsby says Spokane has a housing issue and this is why he co-sponsored bills that would allow cities to make their own decisions about rent control.

Steve Corker, president of the Landlord Association Inland NW, says he isn’t against rent control, but if implemented, it should include other programs.

City Councilwoman Kate Burke says she found it encouraging that the two sides – tenants and landlords – were able to find common ground.

Burke, like Ormsby, thinks rent control should be part of the conversation.

Burke says they need to work on changing the state law that prohibits municipalities from implementing rent control.