2/28/2023
####################################################
The Spokesman-Review
KREM
The Center Square
The Wall St Journal
####################################################
The Spokesman-Review
Residents fear evictions, possible homelessness if city rezones land for mixed-use development
The Cheney City Council will introduce a zoning ordinance on Tuesday night that will put residents of the North Cheney Mobile Home Park in the crosshairs.
The ordinance would rezone a lot located off State Highway 904 for mixed-use de-velopment, worrying some residents at the mobile home park that it’s just the first step before they are ultimately evicted.
“I don’t want to live in a tent in Spokane,” said Douglas Brunell, a 73-year-old resident and Air Force veteran who bought a mobile home in 2006 and has lived at the park for the past 17 years.
Plans for the property are “kind of to be determined,” said Clifton Trimble, land use planner at Storhaug Engineering, the firm handling the rezoning on behalf of the property owner.
One possibility is a building with commercial space on the first floor and apartment units on the upper floors, said Brett Lucas, director of planning for the city of Cheney.
Brunell and his 81-yearold neighbor, Maria Zambrano, plan to speak against the ordinance at Tuesday’s Cheney City Council meeting at 6 p.m. Both live on fixed incomes and have nowhere else to go, Brunell said.
Most mobile home parks in the area are at full capacity already, he said.
“Not only is my house nice, I like my house,” said Brunell, who pays $250 a month for his lot. “I have pride of ownership.”
Zambrano, who has lived at the park for 22 years, said she pays $225 for her lot.
Like Brunell, she is worried about her future at the mo-bile home park, she said.
Without any nearby family members and few low-income housing options nearby, Zambrano said she doesn’t know what else she could afford if evicted.
The issue puts the city in a hard position, Lucas said.
“I think most cities would like to see a higher quality housing product in their city,” he said. “I think any city would entertain (the rezoning). But all cities realize mobile home parks serve a need.”
The mobile home park is partially obscured by a tree line on the east side of state Highway 904 and is surrounded by grocery stores, gas stations and fast food restaurants.
“It’s in the gateway to the city,” Lucas said. “It would definitely change the perception of the city. That would make a difference for some people.”
The park was established along the highway in the 1940s and was grandfathered into the city’s zoning plan in the ’60s, Lucas said. The park is protected from the existing zoning regulations in the area, but it’s also unable to expand, he said.
If approved, the mixeduse zoning would bring the existing mobile home park more in compliance with the zoning map, Trimble said.
Plans for the development would take about two or three years – maybe one or two if they fast-tracked it, Lucas said.
The owner, Todd R. Tarbert, a Bellevue-based attorney, could not be reached for comment.
Brunell and Zambrano both received notice on their doors Feb. 7, saying their rent would nearly double by April 1. The notice came about a week before the Cheney Planning Commission introducedthe rezoning for public discussion on Feb. 13.
Within five hours, that message was replaced by a notice retracting the previous notice, but it wasn’t signed or dated.
“I felt threatened and intimidated,”
Brunell said of the notices. “I felt angry.”
Zambrano said the experience has left her confused and nervous.
“The mobile home park could remain there forever,”
Lucas said. “It is purely at the discretion of the owner of the park if he moves forward.”.”
Law would allow one additional unit on lot larger than 4,500 square feet
OLYMPIA – More backyard cottages could soon pop up across Washington.
So-called accessory dwelling units, often referred to as in-law suites, provide independent living on the same lot as another housing unit, such as a single-family home. They can be attached to another building or detached.
A bill that passed the state Senate 42-6 on Monday would require cities and counties to allow for such construction within most urban areas and prohibits certain regulations on the units. The proposal is one of many making its way through the Legislature this year to address the state’s housing crisis, a topic that legislative leaders on both sides have made a priority.
“We are in a housing crisis, and one of the best ways to get out of that is to build enough homes,” Sen. Sharon Shewmake, D-Bellingham, said on the floor.
Supporters of the bill say it could expand rental options, while opponents say it would take away local control.
There is “so much red tape” around building these units in cities, Shewmake said.
Under the proposal, cities and counties must allow at least one detached and one attached unit on a lot over 4,500 square feet. If the lot is zoned to allow at least two dwelling units, at least one extra unit must be allowed, for a total of three dwelling units.
Cities and counties would be barred from requiring the owner of the lot to live in one of the units on site, unless the extra unit is offered for a short-term rental. Jurisdictions also would be barred from imposing off street parking requirements for backyard cottages that are within a quarter-mile of a transit stop.
The bill allows some regulations of the units, such as building code and environmental permitting requirements.
A number of cities, including Spokane, already have loosened regulations on building these units. In July, the Spokane City Council removed some restrictions around the backyard units, such as a requirement for a property owner to occupy at least one of the dwellings on the site. The council also increased the maximum size of a detached backyard cottage, removed the minimum lot size requirement and eased parking restrictions.
Five Republicans and one Democrat, Sen. Bob Hasegawa, of Seattle, voted against the state bill.
Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, said the bill eliminates local jurisdictions’ ability to make decisions for their communities.
“Cities are getting there,” she said. “They don’t need to have more and more of their ability to determine the direction that their city will take be taken away from them.”
Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, voted in favor of the proposal but said she wanted the bill to expand to areas outside of the state-defined urban growth area, so that people living in more rural areas could build in-law units.
“I would hope that we would get similar opportunities to those folks,” she said.
The bill received some pushback from the Washington State Association of Counties and the Association of Washington Cities.
Paul Jewell, of the Washington State Association of Counties, criticized the bill for its “prescriptive nature.”
“Local elected officials have been provided the authority to make land-use decisions for their counties,” Jewell said, adding the decisions should stay local instead of a one-size fits-all approach.
The proposal hasn’t been considered by the state House of Representatives, which currently has a different proposal on in-law units awaiting a vote.
Another bill that passed the state Senate on Monday would give King County the ability to provide a property tax exemption for an accessory dwelling unit for low-income families.
The proposal, which passed 43-5, would allow a county with a population of 1.5 million or more to exempt an extra unit from property tax, if the unit is maintained as a rental property for households whose income is at or below 60% of the median household income for the county. The dwelling unit would not qualify for an exemption if it is occupied by an immediate family member of the taxpayer, unless the family member is 60 or older.
State legislators also are considering a plan to legalize denser zoning laws statewide. It would require cities between 25,000 and 75,000 people to allow at least two units on all lots and up to four units on all lots that are within one half-mile of a transit stop.
For cities with more than 75,000 people, it would allow at least four units on all lots and at least six units on lots within one half-mile of a transit stop.
That bill is currently awaiting a vote in the state House of Representatives.
The Legislature is expected to debate how to fund housing priorities in its final budgets. Gov. Jay Inslee has requested a $4 billion referendum to allow the state to increase its debt limit to build more affordable housing.
Senate Bill 5235 would allow ADU construction in all urban growth areas across the state. It passed the state Senate on Monday 42-6. Of Spokane-area legislators, Democrat Andy Billig and Republicans Jeff Holy, Mark Schoesler and Shelly Short voted in favor of the bill while Republican Mike Padden voted against it.
####################################################
KREM
Members of Empire Health shared that since October 2022, the population of the camp has decreased significantly from 467 to 108 people.
SPOKANE, Wash. — The Empire Health Foundation held a presentation on the progress made in clearing the I-90 homeless camp for the Spokane County Board of Commissioners.
During Monday morning's meeting, members of Empire Health shared that since October 2022, the population of the camp has decreased significantly from 467 to 108 people. In addition, as of now, 65 tents remain on the camp site, as well as 13 vehicles. 62 people have been transitioned to the Catalyst Project, an emergency supportive housing program launched by Catholic Charities.
Additional areas of progress Empire Health noted included a decrease in crime around the area, as well as improved mapping and cleaning of the camp site.
In terms of next steps, Empire Health says 124 people with "most complex needs" need to be transitioned to safer housing situations. On top of that, site arrangements need to be done for remaining RVs and vehicles on the property.
Lastly, long-term investments to make permanent housing and shelter options are also a crucial next step. Site cleanup is also a priority moving forward.
The decision came after a four-hour long discussion between council members and community members.
SPOKANE, Wash. — After a four-hour meeting, Spokane City Council voted to update regulations of the city's residential rental housing.
The ordinance was split into two sections to garner broader council support, according to the city. Ordinance C-36330, which passed unanimously, will establish a local program for assisting landlords and tenants in Spokane, amending numerous sections of the Spokane Municipal Code.
Ordinance C-36366, which passed 5-2, will adopt several new sections relation to landlord/tenant regulations, including:
Requiring landlords or property managers to make all the necessary repairs to keep the unit in habitable condition as regulated by the City and State codes;
Requiring landlords or property managers to maintain all move-in and move-out inspection records for at least three years;
Requiring landlords, owners, or property managers to disclose the following to tenants:
Information about whether the unit has had a history of mold, any remediation, and whether the landlord has been informed by past tenants of any health concerns related to mold;
Any known history of methamphetamine manufacturing on the premises;
Information about whether the property is actively for sale and in the event that the property is sold, they must provide all contact information for the new owner to tenants;
“After over four years of public debate and comment, Spokane City Council has established an improved framework for rental relations in Spokane by supporting tenants and landlords in promoting habitable homes under the law without imposing new financial burdens,” said Council President Beggs. “The only increase in revenues is a $1.25/month charge per unit that will be used to provide improved services to tenants and landlords. Most importantly, the City’s Code Enforcement Department and the City’s Office of Civil Rights, Equity and Inclusion will have substantial new resources to promote the health and welfare of the entire rental community in Spokane.”
“We listened to landlords and tenants to balance the needs of both entities,” said Council Member Karen Stratton. “I am proud of the honest deliberation and collaboration from all involved. Landlords and tenants will benefit from additional services like mitigation and legal assistance. These issues deserve our time and attention, and I am grateful to all who participated.”
Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward issued the following statement following tonight's decision:
“Housing stability is a complicated challenge that deserves the time needed to work through important details without the pressure of a deadline. This issue has been met with a lot of passion since it was introduced right before the holidays. Deferring action on the ordinance unfortunately wasn’t enough as Council made changes to the ordinance right up until acting on it.
My request of the City Council for a narrowed, simplified approach was about finding the right balance of protections that maintains rental units and encourages new ones while protecting tenants from bad landlords. Adding a registry, licensing, and inspections largely accomplished that goal.
However, adding background checks and encouraging City-backed private legal action by tenants establishes a regulatory environment that limits our ability to maintain and grow a robust housing supply. While I appreciate that some give and take occurred, the risk is still very real that the new regulations imposed on landlords will harm the very tenants it is intended to help.”
####################################################
KXLY
Feb 27, 2023 Updated 20 min ago
SPOKANE, Wash. -- For many families who rely on SNAP benefits to subsidize income, the extra $95 a month since the pandemic started has been a blessing. But now, those benefits are expiring.
These families are bracing for tougher times at the grocery store, as produce and eggs are reaching record-high prices.
Brenda Dilley says it's taking a toll on her.
"I felt sad, a little bit angry. People were relying on that," she said.
The cut to SNAP benefits on March 1 will leave Dilley with no alternative option, other than relying on local food banks.
Dilley isn't alone, as a local senior center says the benefits will impact many seniors as well, since many are on a fixed income.
"I'm very sad about that. I'm very sad that we don't have enough food or stamps to cover, with economy and inflation, everything is going on in our country," said Sandra Fryer, a SNAP benefits recipient.
"There're some nervousness, really concerned with what they are going to do because it's been there for so long, became a part of their monthly budget," said Shannon Kessler, manager at the Mid-City Concerns Senior Center.
Local food bank centers say they expect to see higher foot traffic once the extra benefits run out.
"If the demand increases and the availability is still challenging, we could be in trouble. It could be a point of where we can't meet the demand," said Cal Coblentz, CEO of Spokane Valley Partners.
Second Harvest sees rising demand already in Idaho, where the extra SNAP benefits already ended.
"Demand is up, supply is down, prices are up," said Eric Williams, community partnerships director at Second Harvest Inland Northwest. "We had to change our business model some, we are doing less deliveries and more using hubs. We take a semi load of food to rural resources in Colville and local pantries will come to the area and pick them up. We are making adjustments to try make us more efficient."
With the loss of benefits combined with inflation, it's a one-two punch to families, who are left with no other options.
"It's going to be really frustrating for a lot of people," said Dilley."I think it's unfair because me and my husband are low-income people, we don't make much money from social security. I think it's really unfair," she said.
####################################################
The Center Square
(The Center Square) – State Sen. Sharon Shewmake, D-Bellingham, was celebrating the passage of her bill to encourage the construction of accessory dwelling units, also known as ADUs or mother-in-law cottages, Monday.
“We need housing options as diverse as our communities are,” Shewmake said in a statement. “An ADU isn’t right for everyone, but it might be perfect for someone looking for an affordable place to live, or a homeowner with extra space on their lot to build. We should cut the red tape and make it easier to build these, not put up roadblocks and make it harder.”
Shewmake also praised Ferndale, Washington, a city in her 42nd Legislative District, for giving out Metallica-inspired t-shirts to encourage ADU construction.
On the shirts, the Metallica album “And Justice for All” was reworked in parodic fashion to say, “And Housing for All!”
The Washington Senate Democrats explained the need for the bill, stating in a news release that “many local regulations make ADUs expensive or difficult to build, limiting the supply of them available to renters and buyers.”
Against this, Senate Bill 5235 would “cut red tape and remove some barriers to construction, and would require comprehensive plans under the Growth Management Act to allow for ADUs within an urban growth area,” the release said.
SB 5235 cleared the state Senate by a vote of 42-6 Monday. It now goes to the state House for consideration.
The no votes were mostly Republicans but also included Democratic Majority Caucus Chair Bob Hasegawa of Seattle.
####################################################
The Wall St Journal
Declines signal tenants may be maxed out on how much income they can devote to rent
Will ParkerUpdated Feb. 27, 2023 at 2:00 pm ET
Renters with new leases in January paid a median rent that was 3.5% lower than they would have paid last August, according to estimates from listing website Apartment List. It was the first time in five years that rent fell every month over a six-month period, according to the same estimates.
Four other market measures by housing-data companies also show that new-lease rents either fell or remained flat in January compared with the previous month, extending a streak of monthly rent declines that began at the end of the summer.
The softening rental market follows an unprecedented run for the apartment and home-rental industry put into motion by the pandemic. Pent-up demand for housingexploded in the months after the introduction of Covid-19 vaccines in late 2020 and a surge in people searching for apartments lifted rents 25% over two years.
Now, recent declines are a sign that many tenants have maxed out on how much of their income they can devote to rent, while the specter of layoffs has created new concerns for some. Other would-be renters, living with family or friends, remain sidelined by prices that are still far too high for their budgets.
While some seasonal stalling in rents is normal, the market faces a significant headwind in the biggest delivery of new supply since 1986, according to projections from CoStar Group. Nearly half a million new apartments are coming on line this year as developers seek to cash in on the high rents that tenants have been paying. Many renters are unable to afford to buy a home because of higher mortgage rates and steep prices, so rentals have been in high demand.
Rents have retreated alongside recent declines in home-sale prices, which fell 3.6% between June and November, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index. Higher mortgage rates and softening buyer demand have been weighing on home prices, despite a period this year when lower rates sparked an uptick in buyer interest.
But where housing inventory remains unusually low—to the benefit of home sellers—the crush of new apartment supply will give renters more choices, making it more difficult for landlords to raise rents at rates seen early in 2022, when rent growth was at a near-20% annual clip.
Economists have long said that renting and investing in the stock market is a better investment than owning a house, and in 2022 that could be especially true. WSJ’s Dion Rabouin explains. Photo illustration: Elizabeth Smelov
The new supply may already be having an impact. The share of apartment tenants who renewed leases declined in January to 52%, the lowest level for that month since 2018, according to property-management software company RealPage. The data suggests some tenants are finding better deals at other buildings.
“Renters facing lease renewals suddenly have a lot more options,” RealPage economist Jay Parsons said in a report. Landlords are likely to start dropping their renewal rents to prevent tenants from leaving, he added.
Shelter costs were up 7.9% in January compared with the same month a year earlier, according to the consumer-price index computed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But the impact of rent declines tends to lag behind what is expressed in the CPI. Many renters are in the middle of leases signed before recent price drops. That is one reason why the rising cost of rent reflected in the CPI shows annual price growth that is still higher than market measures, which track new leases.
Measured annually, rent growth remains positive, according to most data sources. But the pace of growth is decelerating, and if it continues to slow beyond winter, it would help pull down headline inflation figures, of which housing costs are a major component.
New-lease rent growth ranged from about 2% to 6% in January compared with one year prior, according to most market reports, down significantly from the pace of growth in early 2022. As more leases expire, analysts expect CPI figures to better reflect the lower costs of new leases.
In the months since August, new-lease rents have fallen most sharply in some of the nation’s biggest metro areas. Seattle rents have tumbled 8%, while rents in Boston and Las Vegas have fallen 6%, according to Apartment List. The Seattle metro area’s median rent was $1,706 in January, while in the Boston metro area it was $1,879. Other measurements of rent with different sample criteria show much higher rent prices, but similar long-term trends in price movement.
Notably, none of the 52-largest metro areas tracked by Apartment List experienced positive rent growth over the period.
Rents for single-family homes, which had also increased sharply before last summer, now are stalling, too. The average national asking rent for a house rose just one buck in January, compared with December, to reach $2,070, according to data provider Yardi Matrix.
Apartment vacancies have risen since last fall, several reports show, due to weaker demand from potential renters. Fewer people are flocking to Zoomtowns—communities that experienced a surge in population from an influx of remote workers—such as Boise, Idaho, or Phoenix compared with earlier in the pandemic, a recent report from listing website Zumper notes.
Even after a 3.5% decline in new-lease rents since last summer, rents in many cities remain 20% or 30% higher than they were when the pandemic began. Rents in the Tucson, Ariz., Tampa, Fla., and Miami metro areas are all 35% higher than in March 2020, according to an Apartment List report.
“Renters are still having a tougher time than they were even a year-and-a-half ago,” said Chris Salviati, economist at Apartment List.
Rents in many Sunbelt cities such as Miami Beach, Fla., remain higher than before the pandemic.Photo: Marco Bello for The Wall Street Journal
Write to Will Parker at will.parker@wsj.com