CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the use of eviction records; regulating the use of eviction history in residential housing; prohibiting landlords from considering evictions related to COVID-19 during and after the civil emergency; amending the title of Chapter 14.09 and Sections 14.09.005, 14.09.010, 14.09.020, and 14.09.030 of, and adding a new Section 14.09.026 to, the Seattle Municipal Code; declaring an emergency; and establishing an immediate effective date; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
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WHEREAS, the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020; and
WHEREAS, self-distancing (keep 6 feet of distance between individuals) has been recommended to deter the spread of the virus; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of Washington has declared a state of emergency, prohibited gatherings of 50 or more people, and closed K-12 schools statewide in an effort to slow transmission and contraction of the disease; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of Washington has further required the closure of all non-essential places of work; and
WHEREAS, such a ban and closure in conjunction with self-distancing means cancellations of large events and a decrease in the number of people patronizing places of business, resulting in reduced work and loss of income for workers in multiple industries, including the service and entertainment industries; and
WHEREAS, a decrease in income can result in financial instability and uncertainty about how to allocate resources to continuing expenses, including rent; and
WHEREAS, the economic disruptions caused by COVID-19 will increase the likelihood of tenants facing eviction; and
WHEREAS, evictions can often result in homelessness given the rental housing market in Seattle; and
WHEREAS, evictions can lead to long-term economic impact to individuals, families, and the City; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor issued a...
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