![]() ![]() “One of the main factors is that (landlords) have not been able to raise their rent close to fair market value in 2½ years with COVID,” said Denfeld. Rent increases were frozen during moratorium. Inslee imposed the moratorium during the height of the pandemic to protect renters from eviction in the event of missed or late rent. Sue Denfeld, president of the Clark County Rental Association, said most of the rent increases tenants see now are landlords playing catch-up with inflation costs after Gov. That’s almost 80 percent of her monthly income. In the past year, Laughery’s rent has increased over $600 in August, she began paying almost $2,000 (accurate with fair market value) for the two-bedroom apartment she has called home for more than a decade. “But somehow I am.”Īs rental costs swell across the state - some due to landlords attempting to match fair market rates in the aftermath of Washington’s eviction moratorium - tenants say that without rent increase ceilings they are left living on the edge. ![]() “With $2,500, I shouldn’t be worrying about being homeless or applying for food stamps,” she said. Residents across Clark County, including Laughery, pay more than half of their monthly income for rent, a scenario that, according to standard affordability measures, means they are “severely cost burdened.” Across the country, a more acceptable measure is to spend about a third of one’s income on rent. “Very concerned,” Laughery, 83, clicked, a response she never thought she would select.ĭespite working all her life, planning for retirement and earning $2,500 a month from Social Security, Laughery feels she is on the brink of homelessness.Ī retired registered nurse, Laughery said she recognizes some people might not understand her fears about the future, but the reality is that she and thousands more like her in Clark County are making tough financial choices in order to afford housing. “How concerned are you about becoming homeless?” ![]() Judy Laughery opened her internet browser, and a poll popped up on her screen. ![]()
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