SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Rent control has been illegal in Washington since 1981, but with the increasing issue of low vacancies and homelessness, some Spokane leaders think it should be discussed.
The Spokesman-Review reports State Rep. Timm Ormsby says Spokane has a housing issue and this is why he co-sponsored bills that would allow cities to make their own decisions about rent control.
Steve Corker, president of the Landlord Association Inland NW, says he isn’t against rent control, but if implemented, it should include other programs.
Meanwhile, Spokane City Councilman Breean Beggs doesn’t think rent control would be an appropriate solution for their current problem.
“What we most need right now is more housing units and rental housing units, and if you put controls on it, then there’ll be less investment and less building of those units,” he said.