Spokane officials are weighing a local eviction safeguard for renters hit financially by disasters, now that the state's fire-related pause on some removals has ended.
The measure would pause certain evictions for tenants whose earnings fall because of wildfires or other officially declared emergencies.
Here's what to know
On September 9, the Spokane City Council plans to review an ordinance for renters whose income drops during an emergency, according to The Spokesman-Review.
To qualify, a tenant would need to show that a declared disaster or civil emergency caused at least a 10% drop in average monthly income.
That local debate follows the end of Gov. Bob Ferguson's limited eviction moratorium tied to the Spokane Complex fires. The state protection ended August 25, even though some renters were still feeling the fires' financial effects.
Councilman Paul Dillon, one of the ordinance's cosponsors, said housing stability is part of disaster recovery. Council members have also said the fires destroyed or damaged half a dozen commercial properties in Spokane, which can lead to layoffs, shorter work hours, or lost wages.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Dillon estimated that at least 74 renters affected by the fires would qualify for the protections.
More background
Qualifying tenants would still owe rent under the ordinance. It would only delay eviction until the local emergency declaration is over, giving people more time to get back on their feet.
Under the current draft, renters would have a year after the emergency declaration ends to pay back any rent they missed.
Tenants wouldn't qualify unless their income stayed down by 10% or more after accounting for unemployment benefits, emergency assistance, and other relief. They'd also need to apply for unemployment help or a disaster-relief program.
One sticking point is how tenants would prove they qualify. As written, the proposal would let renters self-certify under penalty of perjury that they meet the requirements.
The Washington Multifamily Housing Association has objected to that approach, arguing it leaves landlords to challenge suspected false claims in court.
What's being done?
Dillon's version of the ordinance would take effect right away if it passes, allowing people affected by the Spokane Complex fires to use it. It would also become a permanent part of city code, so similar protections could be triggered during future emergencies declared by the mayor.
Council members are still working through changes to the measure. Dillon introduced an amendment that would let landlords evict otherwise protected tenants who do not comply with a payment plan, loosening an earlier version that blocked eviction even when a tenant ignored a payment agreement.
Council President Betsy Wilkerson has also introduced an amendment that would limit the ordinance to the Spokane Complex fires rather than future disasters. Hers would also allow evictions for criminal conduct or an immediate danger of harm.
If it passes, the city would turn a short-term wildfire response into a lasting local tenant protection.
Where can I learn more?
Spokane's debate reflects a problem other communities have faced after disasters: housing can get shaky fast, whether through rent increases or a shortage of temporary shelter. These stories show how wildfire and extreme weather can turn lost income or displacement into a longer housing struggle.
• In California, rent hikes after disasters hit renters well beyond affluent neighborhoods.
• In Lahaina, officials built a temporary tiny-home neighborhood to shelter wildfire survivors and reduce homelessness.
• Across the U.S., displaced retirees face a devastating housing squeeze after climate-fueled disasters.
These stories help explain why some cities are considering renter protections before a short-term emergency becomes a lasting housing setback. They also show the different ways communities respond when disasters upend work, rent, and shelter.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
