Housing activists in Tacoma, Washington, are collecting signatures for a new initiative called "Safe Housing for All," aimed at strengthening enforcement of renters' rights. The move builds on the "Renter Bill of Rights" adopted by local voters in 2023. That earlier initiative introduced key measures such as bans on excessive fees, limits on winter evictions, and mandatory relocation assistance when rent increases exceed 5%.
A central role in these changes is played by the grassroots organization Tacoma for All, formed by local residents and activists. It lobbies for local laws that cap rent increases and prevent unjust evictions, and serves as a voice for grassroots communities, frequently engaging with the city council. Notably, Tacoma—unlike the large and expensive Seattle—has historically been more industrial and less costly. However, in recent years rising housing prices and gentrification have intensified affordability problems, and local activists have been able to organize and push the city council to adopt stricter tenant protections, including limits on evictions and notice requirements for rent increases.
Despite these successes, activists say many landlords are ignoring the new rules, leaving court as the only avenue of protection for tenants. Kis’Shonna Curtis, an organizer with Tacoma for All, emphasizes that litigation is a long, expensive, and draining process—especially for ordinary residents who lack the resources to take on large companies. In her view, the existing system effectively provides tenants no real tool to enforce their rights.
The new initiative proposes a fundamentally different approach: city authorities would issue fines and enforce the law themselves rather than waiting for lawsuits from affected tenants. To fund this work, the plan calls for a mandatory registration fee for each rental unit—a kind of landlord tax. The initiative also adds new protections: tenants would be able to form unions, and property owners would be required to bargain in good faith with them and post notices in common areas about the right to organize.
Opponents of the initiative, led by the Washington Rental Housing Association, warn that additional fees and liabilities will scare off investors and reduce the housing supply. "This tells anyone who wants to build or rent housing: don't do it in Tacoma," says association president Sean Flynn. He argues that the solution is not stricter regulation but zoning liberalization to attract builders and increase the number of available units. It’s worth noting that in other cities in the state, such as Spokane or Vancouver, similar initiatives are either weaker or absent due to lower community political activity.
Organizers hope to qualify the initiative for the November ballot and to gather 9,000 signatures by June 15. If passed, landlords would be required to pay tenants compensation ranging from $500 to five months’ rent for each violation of the law. Activists stress that the main goal is to create a real deterrent and give tenants a way to recover damages often caused by bad-faith property owners.
Based on: Tacoma housing activists push to strengthen renter protections