I grew up in Vancouver, but because of out-of-control rents, I can’t afford to live there near my family. I live in Eastern Washington now, but even here my rent is $1,500 a month and has increased over $500 in the last few years. My wife and I have to have two roommates to afford the apartment. Because of my high rent, I can’t afford to fix my car so I can travel home to see my parents. I can’t afford to finish school. I cannot move back to the city I was born and raised in.
Skyrocketing rent and unchecked rent increases are having a domino effect, harming families and throttling our ability to thrive.
The bills before lawmakers in Olympia to cap the amount landlords can increase rent will help thousands of tenants like me. Enough is enough. Our housing crisis can’t be solved without protecting renters from rent gouging. A vote against the commonsense rent stabilization bill (Senate Bill 5961 and House Bill 2114) is a vote to protect profits for landlords over people being able to stay housed, work, go to school and contribute to our communities.
