Inslee extends Washington's eviction moratorium through the end of the year

Washington's statewide eviction moratorium aimed at preventing people from losing their homes during the coronavirus pandemic will be extended through the end of the year, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday.

The extension through Dec. 31 comes as the coronavirus pandemic continues to leave thousands of people across the state out of work and struggling to afford their rent and other basic necessities.

"We certainly don't need more housing insecurity at a moment of uncertainty during this pandemic," Inslee said during a news conference Thursday.

Inslee first issued the eviction moratorium earlier this year at the start of the pandemic to prevent renters who could no longer afford their rent from losing their homes and becoming homeless.

Under the eviction moratorium, landlords can't increase residential rents and need to offer tenants a repayment plan. Landlords also can't charge late fees under the moratorium. People can still be evicted for other reasons, such as property damage or criminal behavior. The proclamation also prohibits landlords from intimidating and harassing tenants for payment.

Still, tenants are expected to pay the rent they owe and can be evicted once the moratoriums are lifted.

Inslee has extended the order several times since the start of the pandemic. Advocates have warned of a possible wave of evictions once moratoriums are lifted in states across the country.

Seattle earlier this year also extended the city's eviction moratorium through the end of the year.

In recent months, Washington has slowly started to reopen, but many businesses are still able to open only at limited capacities. Other businesses have had to close their doors for good after not being able to survive restrictions put into place during the pandemic. Thousands of people are still without work and are relying on unemployment benefits.

Local, state and federal officials have worked in recent months to help get rental assistance to people who need it.

King County in August announced it was putting more than $40 million toward emergency housing assistance to help up to 10,000 households in the region impacted by the spread of the coronavirus. The program -- King County Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program -- is one of several efforts to prevent people from losing their homes during the pandemic.

“Many people are facing serious challenges due to COVID-19 and the loss of health or income, leaving them extremely vulnerable to eviction,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said in a statement. “This emergency program will forestall the loss of housing and prevent homelessness for thousands of residents in need across King County."

Still, so far, there hasn't been nearly enough funds to meet the massive needs in the region.

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