From Elizabeth Maupin, IssaquahSammamishInterfaithCoa
I recommend taking time to listen to this video from KIRO 7. https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/states-eviction-moratorium-expires-end-december/BNTQPN7PWZF6FPF4KIVWVOPF6E/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=3a5e277b-d54e-4e83-a2f6-cc5a512d2b6d
In the past two weeks, multiple studies have been published showing a link between increased evictions and increased COVID-19 infections and death rates. One study has shown that lifting eviction moratoriums has accounted for 433,700 additional coronavirus cases and 10,700 excess deaths nationally. We must not allow Washington to follow those trends!
It is crucial to understand the connection between evictions and our lack of affordable housing. The mounting rental debt crisis faced by more than 153,000 renters in Washington didn’t come from nowhere. Before COVID-19, more than 72% of extremely low-income Washington residents were paying over half of their income on rent. This is the result of long-term underinvestment in deeply affordable housing that low-income people can actually afford. For every 100 extremely low income households in our state, there are just 31 homes available and affordable to them. This massive shortage creates conditions in which many households spend far more than their budgets allow, forego other basic needs, double up on housing, or live in substandard and unhealthy homes, all simply to keep a roof over their heads.
Make no mistake, inflated rents driven by private market profit motives have been squeezing people’s budgets for years! Now in this recession, any reduction in income, or increased cost of living, can cause low-income renters to fall behind and into debt. The clear solutions include extending the eviction moratorium to prevent anybody from losing their home, providing significant rental assistance to eliminate debt, AND investing DEEPLY in our state Housing Trust Fund to ensure everyone can access a home that is affordable to them.
If you choose to write to the governor asking for an extension of the moratorium, here is a link: https://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/contact/send-gov-inslee-e-message?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=3a5e277b-d54e-4e83-a2f6-cc5a512d2b6d
Put HOUSING in the subject line. If you only have time to sign a petition, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2HZ92GF?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=3a5e277b-d54e-4e83-a2f6-cc5a512d2b6d.
A sample letter is attached that you might use for information to craft your own letter.
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