Dozens of groups sign onto letter pushing to extend Seattle's eviction moratorium through 2021

Dozens of organizations are urging Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan to extend Seattle's eviction moratorium through the end of the year to prevent people from losing their homes during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter, nearly 50 organizations in the city -- including Be:Seattle, El Centro de la Raza, Housing Justice Project, Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness, UFCW 21 and Working Washington / Fair Work Center   -- asked Durkan to extend the moratorium on evictions for residents, nonprofits and small businesses through 2021 and warned of the disproportionate impacts the pandemic has had on BIPOC communities.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a rental debt crisis of massive proportions," the letter said. "Black, Indigenous people of color communities are especially hard-hit, facing disproportionate unemployment, loss of income and lack of access to affluent social networks and generational wealth. Many lower-income households are taking on consumer debt to pay bills, including rent, and as the pandemic wears on it’s getting harder to keep up."

Throughout the pandemic, thousands of people have lost their jobs and struggled to pay rent and other basic necessities without a steady income. Even as vaccinations are ramping up across the state, all regions in Washington remain in Phase 2 of the state's reopening, meaning indoor dining is open at only 25%, along with fitness centers and indoor entertainment establishments.

"It’s unlikely that COVID-19 restrictions will be fully lifted before this fall, or even later," the letter said. "Seattle’s economy will take time to recover, especially the hardest-hit sectors like restaurants and small retail shops. That also means unemployment will remain high and many tenants will struggle to pay full rent."

The letter said even though the city is distributing rental assistance, it will take time to meet the needs of all of the people who requested help. The state legislature is also considering bills to help stave off evictions, but tenants are now still be expected to pay the rent they owe once the moratorium is lifted.

Small businesses, too, are struggling to afford rent as many are only able to open at limited capacities. A number of small businesses have had to close their doors for good over the past year due to restrictions put into place to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

"Extending the city’s eviction moratorium through the end of this year will give tenants time and stability, enabling more renters and small businesses to get caught up on rent and allowing rental assistance programs time to work," the letter said.

"Not knowing whether moratoriums will be extended, sometimes until the last minute, has added to the stress of tenants who are at risk of eviction. Therefore, we ask you to act swiftly in extending the moratorium, doing so in early March rather than waiting until a week or two before the expiration date."

Stefan Moritz, Secretary Treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 8, said the pandemic has particularly impacted hospitality and food workers, who have been "pummeled by the virus and the recession over the last year."

“Thousands of workers remain in very precarious situations as they wait for an economic recovery that will bring them back to work," Moritz said in a statement. "They must not face the risk of losing their housing, and they deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing their housing is secure through the end of the year. Extending the eviction moratorium right now is a critical step to build a recovery that prioritizes safety for all workers and families.”

Other organizations emphasized the importance of people staying in their homes for health reasons.

"In my clinic at the VA Medical Center, 10-20% of my veteran patients have unstable housing," Dr. Alex Adami, a board member of the Resident & Fellow Physician Union – Northwest, said. “Many are on oxygen or have significant physical disabilities. If they lose their homes, they will get sicker and may die. I have seen it happen. Eviction protections in a pandemic are not just fair, they are necessary for health."

Seattle has had an eviction moratorium in place since the coronavirus pandemic started in March and restrictions were put into place forcing businesses to shut down and people to lose their jobs. Gov. Jay Inslee also put into place a statewide eviction moratorium. Both have been extended several times and are expected to end at the end of March. Under the moratoriums, people can still be evicted for things other than not paying their rents.

But, even though the moratoriums temporarily prevent eviction for people who can't afford their rents, residents are still expected to pay the rent they owe once the moratoriums expire.

City, state and federal officials are working to offer rental and other forms of assistance to people who are at risk of losing their homes. Last month, Inslee signed a $2.2 billion relief package that included $365 million in rental and utility assistance. The U.S. Congress also passed a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package that will send people $1,400 stimulus checks and provide unemployment aid and other relief across the country.

Advocates have long warned about the potential for a wave of evictions and a surge in homelessness after moratoriums expire across the country if officials don't provide enough assistance to keep people in their homes.