Re: “King County, WA eviction levels hit an all-time high, again” (Feb. 2, Enterprise):
As co-executive director of Be:Seattle, I work with renters throughout Seattle on training, outreach and organizing to allow them to perceive and assert their rights.
Landlords usually file eviction instances that depend on improper notices, incorrect prices or missed authorized necessities. Virtually each landlord has a lawyer in eviction courtroom, however earlier than Washington’s right-to-counsel program started in 2021, only a few renters did. Renters are anticipated to establish and problem these violations on their very own, and plenty of lose their properties by default as a result of they have no idea the legislation or how one can navigate the method.
Entry to a lawyer doesn’t assure a renter will keep away from eviction, nevertheless it ensures illegal filings could be challenged and instances determined based mostly on the legislation.
Reducing funding for right-to-counsel would imply dropping 17 eviction protection attorneys statewide, forcing the state to soak up the price of illegal evictions by homelessness providers as an alternative of stopping them in courtroom. With eviction instances at file highs, it’s important to maintain the $3 million in continued funding within the state working price range.
Kate Rubin, Seattle
