>> I FEEL LIKE I AM IN A ROCKET
SHIP.
>> THIS MEETING IS BEING
RECORDED.
>> WE ARE RECORDING.
>> THANK YOU.
GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
THIS IS THE FIRST REGULARLY
SCHEDULED MEETING ON -- THIS IS
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21st, 2022.
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> THANK YOU AND WELCOME TO ALL
MEMBERS OF THIS COMMITTEE.
I HOPE THIS COMMITTEE WILL
CONTINUE TO WORK DEVELOPING THE
BILLS OF RIGHTS.
WE PASSED MORE FOR THE EVICTION
ORDINANCE, PERMITTING EVICTION
FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN AND WINTER
MONTHS AND ALSO FOR PUBLIC
SCHOOL WORKERS.
WE CREATED RELOCATION
ASSISTANCE FOR RENTERS AND IT
WILL GO INTO EFFECT JULY 1st.
THEY NEED TO PAY THREE MONTHS
WORTH OF RENT -- WE ALSO PASSED
A LAW REQUIRING SIX MONTHS
NOTICE FOR ANY RENT
IMPROVEMENT.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE RENTERS
AND WORKING PEOPLE AND UNIONS
MEMBERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES
AND LANDLORDS WHO HELPED US --
WHO ORGANIZED ALONGSIDE US, TO
HELP THIS.
THIS YEAR, MY OFFICE IS
ORGANIZING TO PASS
COMPREHENSIVE RENT CONTROL,
ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER
THINGS.
THAT INCLUDES PROHIBITING
CREDIT CHECKS AS PART OF UNDER
HISTORY.
LATE FEES -- STRENGTHENING THE
ABILITY TO MAKE -- THAT WILL BE
THE FIRST AGENDA ITEM.
I WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT
WHEN WE BEGAN.
IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE, WE WILL
CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR CLIMATE
CHANGE, AND AS WORKING PEOPLE,
WE NEED TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT
TO TAX THE BIGGEST BUSINESSES
IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO FIND THE
GREEN NEW DEAL AND GREEN
INFRASTRUCTURE WITH GOOD LIVING
WAGES AND UNION JOBS.
THEY ARE NOT MADE
DEMOCRATICALLY BY ALL WORKING
PEOPLE AND INSTEAD ARE IN THE
HANDS OF MULTINATIONAL
CORPORATIONS.
IT IS JUST IMPOSSIBLE TO
ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE WITHOUT
INEVITABLY COMING INTO CONFLICT
WITH CERTAIN COMPANIES AND
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THEY
WILL CHANGE THEIR PRACTICES.
I WANT TO -- THAT IS SOMETHING
IMPORTANT FOR US TO KEEP IN
MIND WITH THE BILL.
TODAY, THIS COMMITTEE WILL HEAR
A BRIEFING FROM CLIMATE
ACTIVISTS ABOUT THE DEMANDS OF
THE PIPELINE MOVEMENT, WHICH IS
ORGANIZING TO PUT PRESSURE ON
INSURANCE COMPANIES AND OTHER
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO END
THEIR BACKING UP FOSSIL FUEL
INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE PIPELINES.
THEY ARE DEVELOPING EDUCATION
-- THEY EXPECT THEY WILL BE
READY FOR INTRODUCTION DESIGNS,
HOPEFULLY FOR THE NEXT MEETING
TO KEEP MEMBERS UPDATED.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO
HAVING THEIR COMMENTS FROM THE
CLIMATE ACTIVISTS AND THEY WILL
SHARE THEIR TALKS WITH US.
BEFORE WE BEGIN THOSE ITEMS, WE
HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE HAVE 20 PEOPLE SIGNED UP FOR
PUBLIC COMMENT.
SOME OF THEM ARE SHOWING IS NOT
PRESENT.
I WILL SHARE THE NAMES OF THOSE
SHOWING UP.
IF YOU ARE CALLED IN, YOU MIGHT
NEED TO CALL BACK IN.
ALSO, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, YOU
WILL BE PROMPTED TO UNMUTE
YOURSELF AND PLEASE HIT STAR
SIX ON YOUR PHONE TO UNMUTE
YOURSELF AND BEGIN.
YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO
SHARE YOUR TALK.
OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS -- ONE IS
NOT PRESENT.
>> HELLO?
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS JOSIE AND
I AM ADDRESSING MY HOUSING
ISSUES.
I AM A RENTER AT TERRACE CREST
APARTMENTS, AN APARTMENT
BUILDING HERE.
WE DO NOT HAVE HOT WATER AND WE
HAVE MINIMAL HEAT TO NO HEAT
AND IT HAS BEEN 40+ DAYS.
WE WERE FILLING UP A GIANT
METAL POT AND HEATING IT ON THE
STOVE SO WE COULD HAVE WARM
WATER TO SHOWER.
WE HAD A NEIGHBOR AND SENIOR
CITIZEN THAT NEEDED MAJOR
SURGERY AND NEEDED TO SANITIZE
AND TRUST HER WOUNDS AND COULD
NOT ADEQUATELY DO SO BECAUSE OF
NOT HAVING HOT WATER.
HE EVENTUALLY MOVED OUT TO
FIGHT FOR CONSISTENT HOT WATER
AND HEAT IN THE COLDEST MONTHS.
TWO OTHERS HAVE ALSO MOVED OUT.
WE CONTACTED THEM MULTIPLE
TIMES AND COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN
SENT TO THE CITY AND ASKED
PEOPLE TO INSPECT APARTMENTS TO
NO AVAIL WILL.
WE HAVE A LEGAL RIGHT TO HEAT
AND HOT WATER AND WE KNOW THAT
THE LANDLORD IS BREAKING THE
LAW, BUT WE HAVE NO WAY OF
CHANGING OUR SITUATION.
THERE IS A LACK OF HEAT AND WE
STARTED MEETING AN OUR
APARTMENT TO COME UP WITH A
PLAN AND WE EVENTUALLY
CONTACTED ONE COUNCILMEMBER,
KSHAMA SAWANT.
IT WAS REQUIRED BY LAW TO FIX
OUR HEAT AND LACK OF WATER
WITHIN 48 HOURS, BUT THERE WAS
NO LEGAL RECOURSE THAT WOULD
HOLD THE LANDLORDS ACCOUNTABLE.
THEY EVENTUALLY REPLACED A
BOILER PART AFTER A
COUNCILMEMBER BECAME INVOLVED.
WE ALSO SENT A MATTER, WITH
SENDING REIMBURSEMENT.
WE FEEL SINCE HE DID NOT
PROVIDE US WITH OUR BASIC
SURVIVAL NEEDS, THEY -- WE DID
NOT -- WE WOULD ALL BE OUT ON
THE STREET RIGHT NOW.
HE HAS NOT RESPONDED TO OUR
LETTER.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, JOSIE.
MY OFFENSE WILL READ ABOUT THIS
AND THEN WE HAVE MARGO,
FOLLOWED BY ADAM.
>> YES, MY NAME IS SHIRLEY
HENDERSON AND I AM A RENTER AND
A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.
I'M CURRENTLY ACTUALLY HERE, TO
STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH
TENANTS WHO ARE DEMANDING THEIR
LANDLORDS TO PUBLICLY PROMISE
NO RENT INCREASES AND FOR THEM
TO URGENTLY FIX THE ALARMING
LIST OF HOUSING CODE
VIOLATIONS.
THANK YOU TO KSHAMA SAWANT AND
ORGANIZERS TO SUPPORT YOU HAVE
GIVEN IN THE FIGHT TO DO
SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.
THERE IS ONE COUNCILMEMBER
WILLING TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST
THE DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS BEING
FACED BY RENTERS.
I HEARD THAT SOME TENANTS --
THEY ARE WITHOUT HEAT FOR
MONTHS.
NOT ONLY ARE THEY LIVING IN
SUBSTANDARD LIVING CONDITIONS
BUT RENT IN SEATTLE IS BACK TO
PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS AND HIGHER.
YET, SO MANY ARE LEFT OFF
FINANCIALLY.
THIS IS TRUE OF SMALL
BUSINESSES AS WELL.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A
BUSINESS OWNER TO KNOW THE
PANDEMIC HAS WREAKED HAVOC ON
SO MANY SMALL BUSINESSES.
THEY ARE STILL OPEN FOR
BUSINESS -- THEY ARE TRYING TO
STAY AFLOAT.
ADDED TO THAT CHALLENGE,
COMMERCIAL RENT HAS NOT GOTTEN
CHEAPER OR LEVELED OFF FOR US.
CORPORATE LANDLORDS WHO DEMAND
THEIR RENT DUE ARE OFTEN
COMPLACENT WHEN IT COMES TO
CERTAIN EVENTS.
WE ARE LEFT WITH A TAP OFTEN
FOR BUILDING ALTERATIONS NEEDED
TO KEEP RUNNING SAFELY DURING A
PANDEMIC.
THEIR BOTTOM LINE HAS NOT
SUFFERED.
WE WERE IN THE HOUSING CRISIS
BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND NOW,
WITH NO STIMULUS AND COST OF
LIVING INCREASING BY THE DAY,
THE SITUATION IS DIRE FOR MANY.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST
EXPENSIVE HOUSING MARKETS IN
THE UNITED STATES.
WE HAVE LESS THAN 15,000
OPERATING -- WE NEED AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND WE NEED RENT
CONTROL TO PUT A STOP TO THE
RENT GOUGING OF LANDLORDS.
TO THAT END, I ALSO DEMAND CITY
COUNCIL TO INCREASE -- TO
EXPAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND
RESIDENTIAL RENT CONTROL.
THANK YOU.
>> MARGO IS FOLLOWED BY ABBY.
GO AHEAD, MARGO.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS MARCO AND
I AM A RENTER.
I AM LUCKY ENOUGH I HAVE DECENT
HOUSING RIGHT NOW BUT LAST
YEAR, I HAD TO DEAL WITH THE
DELETION OF COUCH SURFING AND
URGENTLY FINDING HOUSING WHEN I
HAD NONE, WHILE WORKING FULL-
TIME IN SEATTLE'S DIFFICULT
HOUSING MARKET.
UNFORTUNATELY, FOR THE MAJORITY
OF TENANTS, THE PANDEMIC DOES
NOT JUST END WHEN CORPORATIONS
AND DEVELOPERS DECIDED SHOULD.
WHENEVER THEY DO DECIDE THAT,
THE BURDEN FALLS ON WORKING
PEOPLE AND RENTERS.
THE INFRASTRUCTURE WAS
ALLEGEDLY THE BEST IN THE
NATION LAST YEAR BUT IS
COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED, AND
SAYING NOTHING ABOUT SCHOOLS
AND HOSPITALS.
RENTS ARE AT PRE-COVID LEVELS.
THERE IS A 20% INCREASE ON
AVERAGE.
WORKING TENANTS WHO CONTRACT
OMICRON COMPETITION TO HEALTH
RISKS AND LONG COVID, OR IN
MANY CASES WILL BE FORCED TO
CHOOSE BETWEEN WORKING WHILE
STILL SICK AND MISSING CRITICAL
HOURS THEY NEED TO COVER THEIR
EXPENSIVE RENTS.
IN LIGHT OF ALL THIS, IT IS
INSPIRING TO SEE THE VICTORIES
THAT TENANTS AND WORKERS HAVE
BEEN ABLE TO RENT.
THEY WON CANCELLATION ON RENT
INCREASES WHILE URGENT
MAINTENANCE ABOUT BROKEN
HEATING, ET CETERA, WAS BEING
CRIMINALLY NEGLECTED BY
LANDLORDS.
THERE IS SO MUCH MORE THAT
RENTERS NEED.
I THINK FIGHTING TO MAKE SURE
LANDLORDS ADDRESS URGENT
REPAIRS, IN MANY CASES, AS WAS
MENTIONED, WE NEED BASIC WARM
WATER AND HEATING DURING RECORD
COLD.
WE SAW THIS WITH BUILDING FIRES
, SAME THING WITH THE BRONX.
EVEN MORE THAN THAT, WE NEED
UNIVERSAL, COMMERCIAL, AND
RESIDENTIAL RENT CONTROL, TO
MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE CAN'T
AFFORD TO SAY HOUSED AND THAT
LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES CAN
AVOID GOING UNDER.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE FIGHT
TO EXTEND THE EVICTION
MORATORIUM FAR BEYOND JANUARY
14th.
THE HEALTH EMERGENCY OF COVID
MOST CERTAINLY WILL NOT BE OVER
BY THAT TIME BUT WINNING THESE
THINGS WILL TAKE A MOVEMENT, AS
IT HAS TAKEN BEFORE, AND AM
LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING A PART
OF THAT.
THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER
RENTERS AND TENANTS FIGHTING
FOR IT THIS YEAR.
>> NEXT IS ABBY, FOLLOWED BY
TWO MORE.
GO AHEAD, ABBY.
>> HELLO, I AM A RESIDENT OF
THIS APARTMENT AND OBVIOUSLY
I'M ECHOING THE SAME
SENTIMENTS.
WE WERE OUT OF HOT WATER FOR
MORE THAN 44 DAYS, ALONG WITH
HEAT.
WE GOT NO COMMUNICATION AT ALL.
SO PROBABLY 30 DAYS AFTER MY
FIRST COMPLAINT, THE MANAGERS
AND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FROM
OTHERS -- YEAH, DURING THIS
TIME, I WAS BOILING WATER ON
THE STOVE AND USING THE OVEN
FOR HEAT, OBVIOUSLY INCREASING
MY ELECTRIC BILL BECAUSE OF IT.
I ALSO -- I JUST FEEL LIKE
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY TO
PUT PRESSURE ON THE LANDLORDS.
CLEARLY, THEY ARE IN BREACH OF
THE LEASE AGREEMENT AND HAVE
NOT PROVIDED SAFE HOUSING AND
THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO.
WE SENT LETTERS REQUESTING THAT
THEY REIMBURSE US FOR THE TIME
WE WERE WITHOUT HOT WATER AND
HEAT AND WE HAVE GOTTEN NO
RESPONSE AT ALL.
WE HAVE NOT EVEN GOTTEN A
SINGLE APOLOGY FROM THEM FOR
BEING OUT OF, YOU KNOW, HOT
WATER AT THIS TIME.
HAVING -- WE ALSO HAVE SOME
INTERMITTENT TRAVEL WITH HEAT
AND HOT WATER.
I GUESS I AM JUST ON HERE TO
REITERATE, YEAH, WE NEED TO PUT
PRESSURE ON LANDLORDS WHEN THEY
ARE NOT PROVIDING SAFER
CONDITIONS FOR TENANTS.
THAT IS ALL.
>> GO AHEAD.
I AM SHOWING THEY ARE NOT
PRESENT.
SO FRANCIS, IF YOU ARE
LISTENING, NEXT -- WE HAVE
EMILIE, FOLLOWED BY J. GO
AHEAD, EMILY.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS EMILY.
I AM EXCITED TO KICK OFF THIS
YEAR.
THERE ARE MANY.
I STRUGGLED AS A RENTER WITH
MANY THINGS. IT RESULTED IN
BLACK MOLD AND UNSAFE LIVING
CONDITIONS.
IT IS HEARTBREAKING TO HEAR HOW
MANY OTHER RENTERS ARE SHARING
THOSE CONDITIONS AND THAT
DEMONSTRATES WHY WE NEED A
STRONG BILL FOR THE RENTERS
MOVEMENT, TO GET THESE THINGS
FIXED BUT ALSO, ULTIMATELY, SO
WE CAN AFFORD SAFE LIVING
CONDITIONS AND ALSO SO WE CAN
WIN HIGH QUALITY SOCIALLY OWNED
HOUSING, SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO
LIVE IN THE CITY.
THAT IS WHY I AM PROUD TO BE A
SOCIALIST.
>> RENT IS ALREADY HIGHER THAN
PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.
THOUSANDS OF WORKING PEOPLE ARE
IN DIRE STRAITS.
WE WERE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT
THE EMERGENCY IN THIS CITY AND
NOW WE ARE SEEING LOST HOURS
FOR PEOPLE BEING FORCED TO STAY
HOME BECAUSE OF CLOSURES AT
DAYCARES AND SCHOOLS.
IT IS MUCH, MUCH WORSE FOR
WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES.
DESPITE THE PUBLIC HEARINGS, WE
KNOW CORPORATE LANDLORDS ARE
VICTIMIZING FAMILIES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> GO AHEAD, J.
>> DO I TALK NOW?
>> YEAH.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> I AM VERY EMOTIONAL RIGHT
NOW.
I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT HERE AT
THE DAKOTA APARTMENTS FOR
SEVERAL YEARS.
THERE IS A LACK OF
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN
MANAGEMENT AND RESIDENTS.
THERE IS POOR WORK ETHIC
BETWEEN THE MAINTENNCE AS
WELL.
THEY SAY THEY WILL GET TO THE
PROBLEMS BUT THEY HAVE YET TO
DO SO.
HAVING BLACK MOLD AND OPEN
GARAGE DOORS 24/7 -- IT IS A
SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AND THE
REST OF THE RESIDENCE.
I AM THINKING ABOUT THE ELDERLY
AND THE MINORITIES.
PEOPLE'S CARS HAVE BEEN STOLEN
DUDE TO -- MY CAR WAS STOLEN
TWO WEEKS AGO.
THAT WAS TWO DAYS AFTER I SENT
AN EMAIL TO THIS OFFICE,
WORRYING ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY
CAR.
MY CAR WAS STOLEN ON WEDNESDAY.
I EMAILED KSHAMA SAWANT'S
OFFICE ON MONDAY.
AND THEN -- PEOPLE'S CARS HAVE
BEEN STOLEN DUE TO THE ALLOWED
OF -- THERE IS NO HEATING AND
FREEZING TEMPERATURES AS WELL.
I THINK IT IS TIME WE HOLD
PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE PAIN
AND SUFFERING THEY HAVE CAUSED
US.
THE ONLY ONES THAT HAVE STOOD
UP FOR OUR RIDES IS -- IT HAS
BEEN KSHAMA SAWANT, WHO --
MORALE IS HAS MADE A SINGULAR
APPEARANCE.
HELLO?
>> SORRY.
>> CAN I CONTINUE?
>> SORRY, YOUR TIME HAS
EXPIRED.
PLEASE -- WE HAVE BRUCE,
FOLLOWED BY ELLEN ANDERSON AND
DANIEL.
>> MY NAME IS PATRICIA.
I AM A TENANT AT THE GARDENS.
THIS IS ONE OF THE BUILDINGS
NEAR RANIER COURT IN MOUNT
BAYCARE.
I HAVE LIVED HERE FOR NEARLY
EIGHT YEARS.
FOR YEARS, MY LANDLORD HAS
DISREGARDED THE CONDITIONS OF
OUR BUILDING AND HAS IGNORED
OUR COMPLAINTS.
WE HAVE BEEN ORGANIZING SINCE
LAST YEAR, ALONGSIDE COUNCIL
MEMBERS.
WE HAVE DEMANDS -- SOMETHING
WAS MALFUNCTIONING.
I COULD NOT GET MY STOVE TO
TURN OFF.
AFTER A MONTH, I HAD NOT
RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE OR
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MY COMPLAINT,
SO I SUBMITTED A SECOND WORK
ORDER AND A BUILDING MANAGER
LOOKED AT MY STOVE.
THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE
GOING TO GIVE ME A NEW STOVE
AND I WAS EXCITED TO HEAR THIS.
BUT WHEN THEY CAME TO REMOVE MY
STOVE, THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE
ACTUALLY GOING TO GIVE ME AN
ALL THE STOVE.
IT WAS INFESTED WITH ROACHES.
I SAID I COULD NOT TAKE THAT
STOVE BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO
BRING INFESTATION INTO MY HOME.
THE MANAGER SAID HE WOULD NOT
GIVE ME A NEW STOVE AND TOLD ME
HE HAD -- THAT IS NOT TRUE.
SINCE THEN, FOR OVER 11 MONTHS,
I HAVE HAD THE SAME BROKEN
STOVE THAT I HAVE HAD PLUGGED
FROM THE WALL EVERY NIGHT.
IT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND IT MAKES
IT ABSOLUTELY EXHAUSTING TO
LIVE HERE.
WE NEED THE MOST BASIC REPAIRS
AND THEY ARE IGNORED.
WE HAVE HOUSING COLD -- WHY HAS
NOT ONE COUNCILPERSON OTHER
THAN KSHAMA SAWANT IS SUPPORTED
US AND PUBLICLY DEMANDED THEM
TO DO THE RIGHT THING?
THEY ARE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY
WITH THIS?
HOW IS IT THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
HAS SO MANY SELF-DESCRIBED
PROGRESSIVES AND TENS OF
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LIKE ME TO
CONTINUE TO GET LANDLORDS LIKE
THAT?
WE DEMAND THE CITY COUNCIL MAKE
THIS ILLEGAL FOR LANDLORDS TO
IGNORE TENANT COMPLAINTS.
THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE ELLEN ANDERSON NEXT,
AND THEN DANIEL KEVIN ARE.
GO AHEAD, ELLEN.
>> HELLO, I AM NOW IN.
YOU KNOW, MY ROOMMATES HAVE
COMPARED OUR HOUSING TO AN
ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP.
WE SAY, YES, NOTHING WORKS BUT
THE RENT IS UNDER $600.
YES, THERE ARE RATS IN THE
WALLS, BUT THEY NEVER COME
INSIDE THE HOME.
YES, WE ARE HAVING MOLD BUT WE
HAVE A NICE YARD AND ARE CLOSE
TO TRANSPORTATION.
WE HAD OVER FIVE INCHES OF
WATER THAT FLOODED OUR BASEMENT
WHERE THINGS ARE LOCATED.
WE LOST A LOT OF STUFF.
OUR LANDLORD 'S SOLUTION HAS
DECIDED TO DRILL WATER TO GET
IT OUT.
OUR REFUSAL TO TREAT THIS AND
THE MOLD THAT HAS ALREADY
STARTED TO GROW JUST IN THE
PAST THREE WEEKS -- RESOURCES
ARE STRETCHED SO THIN THAT WE
HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE
SEATTLE DEPARTMENT OF
CONSTRUCTION AND INSPECTION TO
CONFIRM THAT OUR HOUSING IS
SAFE TO LIVE IN.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE REALITY IS
AS WE MOVE OUT, BECAUSE WE HAVE
TO MOVE OUT CORRECTLY, THE NEW
TENANTS WILL LIKELY ALSO LOSE
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO
FLOODING DAMAGE.
OUR LANDLORDS HAVE SHOWN OVER
CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE YOUR
PERSONAL PROFIT OVER THE SAFETY
OF THEIR TENANTS AND OUR
ABILITY TO EVEN HAVE A BASIC
SURVIVAL TO LIVE IN OUR HOMES.
WE REALLY NEED CITYWIDE RENT
CONTROL FOR ALL UNITS IN ORDER
TO HOLD THE PRICES OF
AFFORDABILITY IN SEATTLE.
OUR RENT HAS INCREASED A
MASSIVE AMOUNT AND THE ONLY
REASON WE CAN'T AFFORD STAYING
IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD IS
BECAUSE ONE OF OUR ROOMMATE IS
PAYING ALMOST 3 TIMES AS MUCH
AS ANYONE ELSE IN OUR
HOUSEHOLD.
NO ONE CAN AFFORD TO MOVE AND
RENT CONTROL WOULD HELP KICK
THE BALANCE OF POWER TOWARDS
RENTERS AND PUT A STOP TO
LANDLORDS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> WE HAVE DANIEL AND JUSTIN
AND DAVID.
GO AHEAD, DANIEL.
>> MY NAME IS DAN.
I APOLOGIZE IF THERE IS
CONSTRUCTION NOISE IN THE
BACKGROUND.
I AM A RENTER.
THIS IS RAPIDLY GENTRIFYING
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
IT IS REPLACED BY LUXURY
HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION
WORKERS ARE BUILDING THIS
HOUSING AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO
AFFORD TO LIVE AND HAVE A
DECENT LIFE IN THE CITY THEY
ARE BUILDING.
IT IS INSANE.
I WAS TOLD WHEN MOVING INTO
THIS PLACE, IT IS JUST A MATTER
OF TIME BEFORE OUR HOUSE WAS
TORN DOWN AND TURNED INTO A
LUXURY APARTMENT.
I SHARE SIMILAR SENTIMENTS TO
ANOTHER ONE OF THE SPEAKERS.
LAST YEAR, FOR ABOUT A MONTH, I
WAS HOMELESS.
IT WAS INSANELY STRESSFUL,
HAVING TO FIND HOUSING IN THE
CITY WITH RENT SKYROCKETING.
IT IS INCREASINGLY TOUGH.
THEY ARE ALREADY ABOVE PRE-
PANDEMIC LEVELS.
WE ARE STILL IN A PANDEMIC. I
-- I CANNOT TELL YOU THE NUMBER
OF PEOPLE I HAVE MET IN
SEATTLE, COWORKERS, ROOMMATES,
WHO HAVE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE OF
HAVING TO LIVE OUT OF THEIR CAR
FOR A FEW WEEKS OR A FEW MONTHS
BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIND
HOUSING THAT THEY COULD AFFORD.
IT IS JUST AN INSANE POSITION
FOR WORKERS.
YEAH, WE URGENTLY NEED CITYWIDE
RENT CONTROL FREE OF LOOPHOLES
AND WE NEED TO EXPAND THAT, TO
PAY FOR PERMANENT AFFORDABLE
SOCIAL HOUSING.
WE HAVE SOLIDARITY WITH OTHER
TENANTS.
>> GO AHEAD, GLORIA.
>> GLORIA, YOU APPEAR TO BE
MUTED.
COULD YOU STAR SIX ON YOUR
PHONE?
YOU ARE STILL SHOWING UP AS
MUTED.
THERE YOU GO.
>> OKAY, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> OKAY, THIS IS GLORIA.
I AM A TENANT IN MOUNT BAKER.
OUR COMMUNITY IS MAJORITY BLACK
AND BROWN, LOW INCOME, SENIORS
AND IMMIGRANT FAMILIES WHO
STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET
EVERY MONTH.
OUR LANDLORD HAS IGNORED THE
CONDITIONS AND HAS ALLOWED THE
BUILDING TO FALL INTO
DISREPAIR.
MY TOILET WAS BROKEN AND THE
LIGHTS IN THE BATHROOM, THE
VANITY, THE SINK HAD A BROKEN
PARENT THAT DID NOT WORK FOR
OVER A YEAR AND THE LIGHTS IN
MY REFRIGERATOR WERE OUT FOR
OVER A YEAR.
AFTER SO MANY REPEATED
REQUESTS, I JUST GAVE UP.
I STOPPED BOTHERING ANYONE
BECAUSE IT WAS ALWAYS A REASON
WHERE THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DO
IT.
THERE WAS ALWAYS THE PRESSURE
OF ORGANIZING -- THAT IS WHEN
MY UNIT GOT FIXED.
HOW DARE ANYONE WHO IS SUPPOSED
TO BE IN CHARGE OF THESE
APARTMENTS ALLOW THEM TO FALL
APART AND TO INCREASE THE RENT.
IT IS SO SAD AND SO RIDICULOUS.
HOW DARE THEY DO THAT?
THEY DO THAT TO ANYONE,
ESPECIALLY SENIORS.
WE DEMAND THAT THEY PUBLICLY
PROMISE NO RENT INCREASES FOR
2022 AND TO FIX ALL THE CODE
VIOLATIONS IN A TIMELY MANNER.
NOT PROMISE BUT FIX THEM.
WE ALSO DEMAND CITY COUNCIL TO
PASS RENT CONTROL NOW.
THANK YOU.
>> DAVID IS NEXT, FOLLOWED BY
MARK AND MATTHEW SMITH.
GO AHEAD, DAVID.
>> THANK YOU.
I AM DAVID HAYNES.
I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE RENTERS
RIGHTS COMMITTEE AND THE
-FOR-TAT RECALL ELECTIONS FROM
THE PREVIOUS MAYOR SUPPORTER.
THERE TOO MANY ABUSES THAT
RENTERS ARE SUBJECTED TO.
MY LANDLORD AT PEAK LIVING, 107
CHERRY STREET, HAS THREATENED
TO EVICT ME I'M ALWAYS
INTIMIDATING ME AND TELLING ME
I HAVE TO LEAVE, ALL FOR
POINTING OUT AND COMPLAINING
ABOUT ALL THE HORRIBLE THINGS
THAT TAKE PLACE INSIDE AND IN
FRONT AND AROUND MY BUILDING.
THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT NEVER
ONCE SOLVED THE ONGOING PUBLIC
SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND
LIVING CONDITION CRISIS THAT
ARE THREATENING OUR LIVES, OUR
WELL-BEING, AND THE QUALITY OF
LIVING.
WE HAVE HAD TO EVACUATE AT
LEAST ONCE A MONTH TO TWO
ARSONISTS, TWICE IN THE SAME
EARLY-MORNING/LATE-NIGHT.
THERE IS PSYCHO CRIMINAL
BEHAVIOR AND A FAULTY WIRING
THAT HAS CAUSED FIRES.
THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF
BREAK-INS, DRUG ACTIVITY,
VIOLENCE, YET THE WHOLE TIME,
THEY ARE SAVING MONEY TO MAKE
MONEY AT OUR EXPENSE, REFUSING
TO HIRE QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL
SECURITY OR EVEN HAVE PROPERLY
SECURED DOORS.
THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS
PROPERTY MANAGERS WHO IS
CHANGING THEIR JOBS MULTIPLE
TIMES BECAUSE THEY LIVE IN FEAR
OF ALL THE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
THAT IS BLOCKING ACCESS TO MY
BUILDING, BOTHERING LITTLE
KIDS, BLOWING MATT'S MOST IN
THEIR EYES.
THEY ARE GETTING MANAGEMENT --
THE WINDOWS ARE BLOCKED, LIVING
IN FEAR WHILE NEVER, EVER
CALLING THE COPS.
OR THEY SIMPLY DO NOT BOTHER TO
SHOW UP FOR DAYS AND DAYS, IF
NOT WEEKS.
THEY ARE TELLING ME THEY ARE
PUTTING ME ON THE VACATE LIST.
HE DENIED APARTMENTS AND
MANAGEMENT IS MORE BUSY WITH
THE OTHER 2000 APARTMENTS AND
SINCE I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT IS
COMPLAINING, EVEN THOUGH
EVERYONE ELSE IS COMPLAINING
TOO BUT ARE TOO AFRAID, THEY
ARE TRYING TO INTIMIDATE ME.
ANYWAY, WE NEED A RENTERS
REVOLT.
WE NEED 21st CENTURY, FIRST
WORLD QUALITY HOUSING.
WE NEED LAWS TO REPORT PEOPLE
THAT ARE BEING OPPRESSED BY
EVIL LANDLORDS.
THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE MARCO, FOLLOWED BY
MATTHEW SMITH, AND THEN
MARJORIE.
GO AHEAD.
>> MARK, YOU APPEAR TO BE
MUTED.
COULD YOU PLEASE HIT STAR SIX?
>> GO AHEAD.
>> IT IT AGAIN.
>> YOU ARE GOOD.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
I AM MARK COOK.
>> WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> OKAY.
I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT AT
COLUMBIA FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS.
THIS IS NEAR IN YOUR COURT.
I AM 85 YEARS OLD.
I HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED FOR
MOLD CONTAMINATION AND -- NOT
AT THIS APARTMENT, BUT SINCE I
HAVE BEEN HERE, THERE IS MOLD
CAUSED BY MY BATHTUB BREAKING
THE CEILING ON THE WALL AND I
COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS AND IT
HAS NEVER BEEN ADDRESSED BY
MANAGEMENT.
NOW WE ARE FACED WITH THE RENT
INCREASE AND THREE RESIDENTS DO
NOT THINK IT IS FAIR WENT SOUR
ABUNDANT COMPLAINTS HAVE NOT
BEEN ADDRESSED OR FIXED.
LAST YEAR, WE GOT ORGANIZED AND
WERE ABLE TO WHICH ASKED THE
RENT INCREASE BUT THIS YEAR,
THEY ARE STILL LOOKING FOR
TRYING TO RAISE RENT AGAIN.
THAT IS DESPITE THE TERRIBLE
CONDITIONS.
CITY COUNCIL, STAND WITH US AND
ALTERNATES AND HOLD THESE
LANDLORDS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE
ADDITIONS THEY ARE PUTTING US
IN.
THANK YOU.
>> MATTHEW SMITH IS NEXT AND
THEN WE HAVE MARJORIE AND
MELINDA.
GO AHEAD, MATTHEW.
>> MY NAME IS MATT SMITH AND I
AM A RENTER IN DISTRICT 2. I AM
IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING OUT
BECAUSE OF SERIOUS FLOODING IN
OUR BASEMENT.
IT WAS THE LAST STRAW IN A LONG
STRING OF MAINTENANCE ISSUES
WITH BROKEN APPLIANCES AND MOLD
IN THE WALLS, SO ON.
THIS WILL BE THE THIRD HOME
LIVED IN THE LAST TWO AND HALF
YEARS.
MY ROOMMATE HAS HAD TO MOVE
FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR AND
A HALF.
IT COMES WITH HUGE COSTS WITH
MONEY AND TIME THAT A LOT OF
WORKING PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE.
ON TOP OF IT ALL, RENT HAS
SKYROCKETED AND OUR BACKUP IS
TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.
WE COULD NOT FIND A PLACE FOR
AN EQUIVALENT PRICE.
WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY
ROOMMATE HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO
AFFORD THAT EXTRA RENT?
WHAT IF WE HAD TO LIVE IN A
FLOODED, MOLDY BASEMENT?
HEARING THE STORIES ARE
HORRIFYING BUT THIS IS NOT AN
ISOLATED ISSUE.
THIS IS HAPPENING TO THOUSANDS
OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE CITY.
LANDLORDS IN REAL ESTATE PEOPLE
ARE MAKING PROFITS, YET BASIC
MAINTENANCE IS NOT BEING
ADDRESSED.
THIS CONSTANT TURN OF -- THEY
ARE BEING DISPLACED AND HOW
LONG IS IT UNTIL WE HAVE A
MAJOR DISASTER LIKE THE
APARTMENT FIRES THAT HAPPENED
IN THE BRONX IN PHILADELPHIA.
WE NEED TO INCREASE THE AMAZON
TAX AND WE NEED A FULL RENTERS
BILL OF RIGHTS AND NEED STRONG
RENT CONTROL.
IT IS AMAZING THAT KSHAMA
SAWANT IS THE ONLY ONE CALLING
FOR THESE THINGS.
THIS SHOULD BE A NO-BRAINER.
EVERY COUNCILMEMBER SHOULD
PUBLICLY COMMIT TO VOTING YES
AND IF THEY DO NOT, THEY HAVE
NO RIGHT TO SAY THEY REPRESENT
US BECAUSE IT IS CLEAR THEY
ONLY REPRESENT THE LANDLORDS.
THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE MARJORIE PAYNE NEXT,
AND THEN MELINDA AND I THINK
THE LAST ONE WILL JOIN US.
GO AHEAD, MARJORIE.
>> MY NAME IS MARJORIE PAYNE.
I AM A RESIDENT OF RANIER COURT
APARTMENTS.
THERE IS BLACK AND BROWN MOLD
-- FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING TO
MAKE ENDS MEET.
THEY HAVE NEGLECTED THE ABYSMAL
CONDITIONS IN OUR BUILDING AND
HAVE IGNORED OUR PLEAS.
THIS HAS BEEN BROKEN SINCE JUNE
AND I HAVE NOT GOTTEN IT FIXED
YET.
THIS MEANS I HAVE -- I AM ABLE
TO -- I CANNOT DO ANYTHING FOR
HER FAMILY GATHERINGS DURING
THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
THERE ARE TWO GIANT HOLES IN MY
CEILING THAT ARE DRAFTY.
THERE IS ALL THE MOLD IN THE
BUILDINGS.
SINCE DAY ONE, I HAVE PAID MY
RENT AND I HAVE PUT MY
COMPLAINTS IN WORKING ORDER.
THEY KNOW THE PROBLEMS HERE BUT
THEY JUST DO NOT FIX IT.
WE DEMAND NOTE RAISE IN THE
RENT IN 2022 AND WE DEMAND THAT
THE CITY COUNCIL MAKE IT
ILLEGAL FOR LANDLORDS TO IGNORE
COMPLAINTS AND INCREASE THE
AMAZON TAX.
FINALLY, CITY COUNCIL MUST VOTE
YES FOR KSHAMA SAWANT -- NO
CORPORATE LOOPHOLES.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY I AM
THANKFUL FOR KSHAMA SAWANT AND
HER TEAM AND THAT TENANTS
UNION FOR HELPING US OUT.
THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE MELINDA.
>> THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS MELINDA.
I HAVE WORDS AND THOUGHTS.
IT SICKENS US -- THEY HAVE
DIVIDED US.
THEY SAID WE WERE HELPING --
THEY WERE INVITED TO PARTAKE --
THEY SAID YOU LIKE IT, SO WE
THINK THEY WILL LIKE IT TOO.
WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF THIS AND
-- THERE ARE BACKLOGS FOR
MONTHS, IF NOT YEARS, AND --
HOW MANY -- THEY ARE SENDING
EMAILS TO TRY TO GET IT
APPROVED.
THEY ARE NOT DELIVERING THEM.
AND THEN -- WE DID NOT KNOW WHO
WAS PROVIDING THE POPCORN AND
ALL THESE THINGS.
IN THIS AREA OF COVID, WE DID
NOT KNOW IF IT WAS SAFE TO EAT
OR NOT.
THEY WERE DOING -- WE'RE
WAITING FOR THE ELEVATOR DOOR
TO BE REPAIRED.
WHILE WE WAIT, WE ARE WAITING
FOR MORE THINGS TO BE CLEANED
AND THEY ARE COVERED IN MOLD
AND GRIME.
WE ARE WAITING FOR EVERYTHING
TO BE CLEANED.
THEY ARE SPENDING TIME WITH
BAGELS AND POPCORN -- IT FEELS
LIKE CHARLES DICKENS.
THEY ARE SITTING HERE.
THEY ARE SAYING THANKS, BUT NO
THANKS.
WE WANT MORE.
WE DO NOT WANT MORE BAGELS AND
POPCORN.
WE WANT ATTENTION TO ALL THE
NECESSARY WORK AND REPAIRS THAT
NEED TO BE DONE.
WE HAVE TWO SPEAKERS WHO ARE
SHOWING THEY'RE NOT PRESENT.
THEY ARE HAVING TROUBLE BUT IF
YOU WANT TO SIGN UP QUICKLY ON
YOUR PHONE, YOU SHOULD.
I WILL CALL ON THE LAST
SPEAKER, WHO IS SHOWING UP AND
THAT IS ALICE.
GO AHEAD, ALICE.
>> YOU APPEAR TO BE MUTED.
COULD YOU PLEASE HIT STAR SIX?
YOU STILL APPEAR TO BE MUTED.
PLEASE HIT STAR SIX.
YOU STILL APPEAR TO BE MUTED.
THERE YOU GO.
YOU GOT IT.
YOU ARE NOW UNMUTED BUT WE
CANNOT HEAR YOU.
PERHAPS YOUR PHONE IS MUTED?
>> WE CANNOT HEAR YOU.
RIGHT NOW, -- ARE EITHER OF YOU
ABLE TO SPEAK?
I WANT TO DO ONE MORE BEFORE
CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> YOU APPEAR TO BE MUTED.
CAN YOU PLEASE HIT STAR SIX?
>> SORRY, WE HAVE TO MOVE ON.
JOAN AND ALICE, AND OTHER
SPEAKERS ARE NOT SHOWING UP AS
PRESENT.
JOAN AND ALICE AND SHIRLEY AND
PHIL, THEY -- YOU CAN LISTEN IN.
WE ARE SHOOING YOU ARE MUTED.
THERE --
>> THERE IS MOLD IN MY BEDROOM.
IN THE KITCHEN, THE WATER IS
RUNNING AND IT IS ALL MESSED UP
AND THEY WILL NOT FIX IT.
IN THE BATHROOM, THE SAME
THING.
THE TAB -- THEY WILL NOT CLEAN
IT UP.
THEY WILL NOT COME AND CHECK
OUT ANYTHING FOR ME.
I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO, YOU
KNOW?
I NEED SOME HELP WITH THAT, YOU
KNOW?
EVERYTHING IS ALL MESSED UP.
CAN YOU HELP ME, PLEASE?
>> THANK YOU, SHIRLEY.
ONE LAST TIME, ALICE, ARE YOU
ABLE TO SPEAK?
>> IT SHOWS THAT YOU ARE
UNMUTED.
MAYBE YOUR PHONE IS MUTED.
CAN YOU --
>> IT IS FIXED.
>> OKAY.
YOU KNOW, MY WASHER IS BROKE.
I TOLD THEM TO FIX THAT,
ANYTHING -- THEY WILL NOT FIX
IT.
YOU TRY TO LET THE MANAGER KNOW
WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON AND IT
IS HARD FOR THEM TO, YOU KNOW,
THEY SAY I HAVE TO PAY FOR
EVERYTHING.
YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR -- EVEN THE
APPLIANCES WERE BROKEN PP
ASLEEP.
WE WILL NOT REPAIR IT FOR YOU.
WE NEED THEM TO, YOU KNOW,
REPAIR FOR US BECAUSE, YOU
KNOW, IN THE BEGINNING, WHEN WE
MOVED IN, IT WAS BROKEN.
THE WALL HAD CRACKS AND THEN
THE PAINT WAS CRACKING.
THE KITCHEN -- I TOLD HIM THERE
WAS A MOLD AND TO FIX IT BUT
THEY NEVER DID.
THE MOLD IS BUILDING UP IN THE
KITCHEN AND THE WASHER IS
BROKEN.
LET'S SEE.
THE RANGE IS NOT HOT ENOUGH FOR
US, YOU KNOW, TO COOK.
BUT THE MAIN THING IS MY
WASHER.
IT IS THE DISH WASHER MACHINE.
THE WATER -- EACH TIME I USE
IT, IT SPLASHES ALL OVER.
THEY NEED TO FIX IT FOR US.
IT IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED.
THEY SHOULD FIX IT FOR US.
EVERYTHING IS COMPLETELY FIXED
BEFORE THEY LET US SIGN THE
PAPER.
LET US SIGN BEFORE WE MOVE IN.
THAT ISNOT FAIR FOR US.
WE HAVE TO PAY.
EVERYTHING IS BROKEN IN THE
BUILDING.
THAT IS NOT HOW IT IS SUPPOSED
TO BE.
>> THANK YOU, ALICE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> IF YOU'RE LISTENING AND WERE
NOT ABLE TO COMMENT -- I KNOW
THEY ARE ATTENDING AND ALSO
HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES.
THEY CONTACTED OUR OFFICE.
THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, WHO
SIGNED UP AND SPOKE IN PUBLIC
COMMENTS.
YOUR VIEWS ARE EXTREMELY
IMPORTANT TO THIS COMMITTEE.
THIS IS ABOUT HOW RENTERS ARE
LIVING IN UNACCEPTABLE
CONDITIONS, MANY OF THEM, AND
HOW THEY CAN ASK THEIR
LANDLORDS TO DO SOMETHING.
WE DO NOT WANT TO JUST HAVE A
LISTENING SESSION BUT ALSO WANT
TO USE THAT SPECIFICALLY TO
UNDERSTAND HOW LEGISLATIVE
LEADERS AND THE GOVERNMENT CAN
HOLD LANDLORDS ACCOUNTABLE, TO
MAKE REPAIRS IN A TIMELY MANNER
AND WHAT THEY CAN DO WHEN THEIR
LANDLORDS DO NOT MAKE REPAIRS,
ESPECIALLY WITH ISSUES LIKE
HEATING, HOT WATER NOT BEING
AVAILABLE, STOVES NOT WORKING
FOR MONTHS ON END.
THEY CANNOT DO ANY COOKING.
MANY OTHER PROBLEMS.
I MENTIONED OTHER PROBLEMS THAT
YOU HAVE HEARD FROM.
ON PAPER, THE PROCESS WE HAVE
IT SEEMS VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD.
WE HAVE A LIST OF HOUSING CODES
AND LANDLORDS ARE REQUIRED BY
LAW TO HAVE THEIR PROPERTIES
úINSPECTED TO SEE IF CODES ARE
BEING FOLLOWED AND RENTERS CAN
REQUEST THE SEATTLE DEPARTMENT
OF CONSTRUCTION TO INSPECT THE
PROPERTY IF THEY BELIEVE THERE
ARE VIOLATIONS.
THEY ARE REQUIRED TO FIX A
PROBLEM OR PAY A FINE.
UNFORTUNATELY, AS WE HEARD FROM
PUBLIC COMMENTS, AS WE HAVE
HEARD FROM NOW, EASILY HUNDREDS
OF TENANTS OVER THE LAST COUPLE
OF YEARS, AND THE EMAILS WE
HAVE RECEIVED FROM COUNSELORS
THROUGHOUT THE CITY OVER THE
LAST TWO YEARS -- WE WILL HEAR
IN MORE DETAIL FROM TWO
PANELISTS THAT WE HAVE HERE.
THE POWER IMBALANCE BETWEEN THE
RENTERS AND THE LANDLORDS WITH
PEOPLE LANGUAGE IN, EVEN WHEN
THEY ARE VIRTUALLY
UNINHABITABLE.
WE ALSO HEARD ABOUT PLACES
BEING FLOODED.
I INTEND TO USE TODAY TO BEGIN
LOOKING AT THE STATE OF RENTERS
AND TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY
NEED TO DO.
WE ALSO REACHED OUT TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF INFECTION LAST
WEEK TO ASK FOR THEIR DATA ON
THESE PROBLEMS.
THE QUESTION WE ASKED IS HOW
CAN THEY DO SOMETHING AND -- WE
WANT TO LOOK AT RENTERS RIGHTS
AND PROPERTIES.
HOW FREQUENTLY DOES THEY FIND
DASHED HOW DO THEY DECIDE
HETHER TO USE WHAT
LEVY FINES?
WHAT WILL THEY RECOMMEND IN
ORDER TO IMPROVE ENFORCEMENT?
I APOLOGIZE IF MY VOICE IS NOT
FULLY AUDIBLE.
I WILL MAKE SURE TO SPEAK
LOUDER.
WE JUST RECEIVED A RESPONSE
THIS MORNING.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE THERE WERE
SPOTS.
HOW FREQUENTLY DO THEY ISSUE
CITATIONS?
I THINK THEY REPORTED TO US IN
2021, THEY TOOK IN 3284 CALLS
AND -- MANY OF THOSE WERE
QUICKLY RESOLVED WITH INFORMAL
COACHING WITH VOLUNTARY
COMPLIANCE.
THERE WERE 60 RENTER RIGHTS
PROGRESS TO TWO MORE
ENFORCEMENT CASES -- THE ONES
WE COULD NOT RESOLVE, THERE
WERE THREE CITATIONS AND ONE
FOR A HOUSE IN CODE VIOLATION.
WE WERE NOT PERFORMING
ENFORCEMENT FROM JANUARY UNTIL
AUGUST BECAUSE OF COVID.
THERE ARE VARIOUS RESPONSES OF
BASICALLY WHAT THEY SAY.
THE GOAL IS TO ACHIEVE
COMPLIANCE, OF COURSE.
THEY SAY RENTER RIGHTS -- THEY
WORK MOST OF THE TIME.
WHEN THEY DO NOT, THERE IS
ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
PART OF THE GOAL, ALSO, FOR
THIS COMMITTEE SHOULD SEE IF
THIS IS TRACKING WITH RENTERS'
EXPERIENCES.
WE HAVE HAD LOTS -- THEY ARE
EXTREMELY DEDICATED TO THEIR
WORK.
WE ALSO INVITED THEM TO JOIN
TODAY'S DISCUSSION.
WE WERE TOLD THEY WERE UNABLE
TO ATTEND BUT THEY ARE OPENING
TO PRESENTING ON THE ISSUE IN
FUTURE MEETINGS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THEM
IN A COMMITTEE SOON.
THEY ARE ANSWERING SOME OF
THESE QUESTIONS.
RENTERS OFTEN REACH OUT TO MY
OFFICE WHEN THEY HAVE TROUBLE
WITH THEIR LANDLORDS AND OUR
EXPERIENCE IS THEY ARE
RESPONSIBLE.
I SUSPECT, AS WE INVESTIGATE
THIS PROBLEM, WE WILL FIND THEY
ARE MORE SYSTEMIC AND IT IS NOT
THE STAFF THAT ARE FALLING
SHORT AND WE WILL REQUIRE
UPDATED LEGISLATION TO LOOK AT
THESE PROBLEMS.
THESE ARE NOT ISOLATED OR
FRENCH PROBLEMS.
THIS IS SOMETHING AFFECTING A
LARGE NUMBER OF RENTERS.
IN 2016, MY OFFICE SPONSORED A
LAW THAT PROHIBITS INCREASES
AND -- IT HAS BEEN ONE WAY TO
PUT LANDLORDS TO FOLLOW THROUGH
ON THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO
NECESSARY REPAIRS BUT CLEARLY
MORE IS NEEDED.
FOR THE DISCUSSION, WE WILL
SHARE FROM ALLISON, WHO IS A
TENANT.
AS YOU HEARD, THEY HAVE SPOKEN
IN PUBLIC COMMENTS.
THEN WE WILL HEAR FROM ANNIE
BYSE-MOORE, WHO WAS A TENANT AT
COLUMBIA GARDENS . AND LAST BUT
NOT LEAST, WE WILL HEAR FROM
GREYSON VAN ARSDALE, WHO IS A
RENTER AND AN INDEPENDENT
JOURNALIST THAT HAS BEEN
INVESTIGATING CONDITIONS.
THEY NOT ONLY HAD HOUSING CODE
VIOLATIONS BUT THEY WERE
PRESENTED WITH LARGE RENT
INCREASES.
SEVERAL VIOLATIONS WERE FIXED
BUT SEVERAL PROBLEMS REMAIN.
WE NEED TO ASK THEM TO
ESTABLISH OF THOSE REPAIRS.
THEY HAVE GIVEN US SOME DETAILS
BUT WE SEE CLEARLY THAT THERE
ARE MANY OUTSTANDING PROBLEMS
AND WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO
ADDRESS THESE, NOT JUST HERE
BUT OTHER PROBLEMS THAT ARE
BEING PHASED BY OTHER TENDONS
AS WELL.
I WILL CALL ON THE PANEL IS NOW
AND OTHERS LIKE ALLISON.
ALSO, JUST FOR THE RECORD,
INTRODUCE YOURSELF WITH A ONE
SENTENCE INTRODUCTION.
>> MY NAME IS ALLISON RAU . I
MOVED TO TERRACE CREST
APARTMENTS IN AUGUST AFTER A
DIVORCE AND I NEEDED TO RESTART
MY LIFE.
I HAD LIVED IN THIS BUILDING IN
2007 BRIEFLY, BACK WHEN RENT
WAS UNDER $700 I HAD BEEN HAPPY
WITH IT.
I CAME BACK TO IT OUT OF
COMFORT AND CAME TO A VERY
OVERWHELMING CHANGE.
WITHIN A MONTH, WE LOST HOT
WATER AND THEN WE DO NOT HAVE
HOT WATER FOR SIX WEEKS OR
LONGER, 40+ DAYS.
THEY DID NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE
THERE WAS A PROBLEM OR
COMMUNICATE WITH US UNTIL WE
BROUGHT AN EXTRA LOW PRESSURE.
AFTER EXTENSIVE ACTIVISM, WE
FINALLY GOT SERVICE RESTORED
AND THERE ARE STILL QUESTIONS
OUTSTANDING ABOUT WHETHER OR
NOT IT WAS REALLY THE URGENT
REPAIR THAT THEY SAID THEY HAD
PLACED.
BUT IT IS STILL NOT WORKING
PROPERLY.
THEY WERE HERE YESTERDAY.
I SAW THEM IN THE LOBBY.
I CANNOT TAKE MORE THAN A FEW
MINUTES OF HOT SHOWERS.
HEAT IS SPOTTY.
IF THEY HOLD UP THEIR END OF
THE BARGAIN, THERE WERE DAYS I
WAS COUCH SURFING AND THEY OWE
ME BACK RENT BECAUSE I COULD
NOT LIVE IN MY HOME.
IT WAS 60 DEGREES IN MY HOUSE.
IT WAS COLDER AT TIMES.
IT IS UNBELIEVABLE TO ME THAT
THESE KINDS OF ACTIONS ARE
ALLOWED AND THAT THE CITY
CANNOT ENFORCE IT.
THEY ARE CLEARLY UNDER
RESOURCED FOR THE AMOUNT OF
COMPLAINTS THAT THEY ARE
RECEIVING AND THE AMOUNT OF
PROBLEMS THAT ARE IN THE
COMMUNITY.
BETWEEN RENT INCREASES AND
FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE
CITYWIDE, A RELIEF.
THE CITY IS GOING TO BECOME A
PLACE WHERE SLUMLORDS ARE
ALLOWED TO CHARGE WHAT THEY
CHOOSE AND TENANTS REMAIN
POWERLESS.
I DO NOT KNOW WHERE I WOULD GO
IF I LOSE THIS PLACE BECAUSE
NOTHING IS AFFORDABLE.
I THINK IT IS REALLY TIME TO
SHIFT THE POWER AND THE BALANCE
OF POWER AND ADDRESS THE
IMBALANCE IN THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN TENANTS AND THEIR
LANDLORDS BECAUSE THE DIRECTION
OF HOUSING IN THE CITY IS
UNMANAGEABLE.
IT IS MAKING THE RICH RICHER
AND HURTING THE WORKING RENTER
WHO IS TRYING TO HAVE A HOME.
>> THANK YOU, ALLISON.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BEING
HERE AS A PANELIST AND SPEAKING
FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE AND --
PLEASE STAY ON BECAUSE ONCE WE
FINISH THE PRESENTATION, WE
WANT TO OPEN IT UP FOR
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM
COUNCIL MEMBERS.
NEXT, WE HAVE ANNIE BYSE-MOORE.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF IN ONE
SENTENCE.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS ANNIE BYSE-MOORE AND
I LIVE IN COLUMBIA GARDENS ,
WHICH IS A SENIOR BUILDING THAT
IS PART OF RANIER COURT IN THIS
AREA.
I HAVE LIVED HERE FOR NEARLY 8
YEARS AND OVER THE PAST YEAR,
WE HAVE TRIED AGAIN AND AGAIN
TO GET OUR LANDS LORD, -- WE
WANT THEM TO ADDRESS THE
MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS THAT WE
HAVE HAD IN THE BUILDING.
WE HAVE BEEN ROUTINELY IGNORED
AND OUR ISSUES HAVE GONE
UNADDRESSED.
THE BREAKING POINT WAS WHEN WE
WERE ALL HANDED A RENT INCREASE
LAST YEAR.
I WAS ONE OF THE TOWNHOUSES AND
MY FRONT DOOR IS SO DRAFTY I
HAVE TO ADD MY OWN
WEATHERSTRIPPING AND ALSO USE A
DRAFT STOPPER AT THE BOTTOM,
WHICH MAKES THE DOOR UNUSABLE
IN THE WINTERTIME.
THE GAP IS SO LARGE THAT I
LITERALLY HAD A WORM THAT
WIGGLED UNDERNEATH.
I HAVE A DRAFT PROBLEM.
I HAVE MADE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS
BUT BECAUSE I HAVE DONE MY OWN
DRAFT STOPPER AND THOUGH --
THEY FELT LIKE THAT MITIGATED
THE PROBLEM AND THEY WERE NOT
GOING TO FIX MY DOOR.
MY BACK DOOR IS ANOTHER TOTAL
DIFFERENT STORY.
THE DOOR WAS SO MISALIGNED I
COULD NOT EVEN CLOSE IT.
I COULD NOT FULLY CLOSE IT.
I COULD BARELY LOCK IT.
I HAD TO LEAVE WITH MY FULL
BODY AGAINST IT TO LOCK IT IN I
WAS SCARED I WAS GOING TO BREAK
THE GLASS BECAUSE IT IS A GLASS
DOOR.
THE COLD AIR WOULD BLOW IN AND
I MADE INITIAL REQUEST FOR
REPAIR ON JUNE 9th.
AT THAT TIME, IT WAS IGNORED.
BASED MADE ANOTHER REQUEST AND
PEOPLE HAD TOLD ME THEY MAKE
THE REPAIRS.
THEY PUT IN THE REPAIR REQUEST
AND WHAT HAPPENS IS IT GETS
IGNORED.
I JUST DECIDED, OKAY, MY SECOND
REQUEST THAT I WOULD ENCLOSE IN
THE SAME ENVELOPE THAT I PUT MY
RENT CHECK IN BECAUSE I FIGURED
IF THEY CASHED MY CHECK, THEN
THEY DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE
RECEIVED MY WORK ORDER.
THAT ALSO GOT IGNORED.
THEN THE THIRD REQUEST WAS MADE
SEPTEMBER 1st. AT THAT TIME,
THEY CAME OVER AND LOOKED AT IT
AND SAID BASICALLY THEY COULD
DO NOTHING BECAUSE THE BUILDING
HAD SETTLED AND THERE WAS NOT
MUCH THEY COULD DO.
I WAS STUCK WITH THE DOOR AND I
HAVE -- I HAD TO TRY TO KEEP
THE COLD AIR FROM COMING IN.
IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, ONCE
COUNCILS BEGAN FILING
COMPLAINTS ON OUR BEHALF WITH
THE CITY DEPARTMENT OF
CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION, THE
CITY CAME TO LOOK AT MY DOOR
AND THEY TOOK A LOT OF
PICTURES.
AFTER THE INSPECTION, SUDDENLY
THE BUILDING MAINTENANCE PEOPLE
SAID, WELL, MAYBE WE COULD DO
SOMETHING.
THEY CAME UP WITH SOME
SUGGESTIONS.
BUT BECAUSE OF THAT INSPECTION,
THE LANDLORD FINALLY WAS FORCED
TO CALL A PROFESSIONAL DOOR
COMPANY AND MY DOOR FINALLY GOT
FIXED THIS PAST WEEK.
THAT WAS ON WEDNESDAY.
IT FINALLY GOT FIXED.
IT TOOK THEM PROBABLY ABOUT
FIVE MINUTES TO REALLY FIX THE
PROBLEM.
IT TOOK THEM ANOTHER 25 MINUTES
TO DO MORE TO FIX THE DOOR.
THEY SAID IT HAD NOTHING TO DO
WITH THE SETTLING.
THE DOOR WAS ACTUALLY INSTALLED
INCORRECTLY IN THE FIRST PLACE.
SO ALL I COULD THINK OF WHY
DOES IT TAKE SIX MONTHS FOR MY
DOOR TO GET FIXED?
ALL IT REQUIRED WAS A 30 MINUTE
REPAIR JOB?
WHY DO WE HAVE TO FIGHT SO HARD
TO GET A SICK REPAIRS MADE?
MY WALK-IN CLOSET, THERE IS
WIRE SHELVING WHERE MY CLOTHES
HANG AND THAT FELL 3 TIMES.
THE FIRST TIME THEY CAME AND
THEY REPAIRED IT.
THE SECOND TIME, AGAIN, IT WAS
REPAIRED BY A MAINTENANCE
PERSON AND IT FELL AGAIN.
THE THIRD TIME, I SAID IF THIS
THING FALLS AT THE THIRD TIME,
I'M GOING TO GET MY OWN PERSON
TO COME AND FIX THE CLOSET AND
THEN TAKE IT OUT OF MY RENT.
BECAUSE I DID THAT, THEY CALLED
ME AND SAID, LISTEN, WE PROMISE
WE WILL HAVE OUR SUPERVISOR
COME IN AND THEY WILL FIX IT
FOR YOU.
THEY DID.
THEY TOLD ME -- THEY SAID YOU
KNOW WHAT?
IF I HAD NOT COME IN HERE AND
IF THEY HAD KEPT REPAIRING IT,
THE COST OF IT WOULD -- IT IS
INSTALLED BACKWARDS.
THEY WERE UPSIDE DOWN.
YOU KNOW, THE THING IS IT IS
OKAY NOW.
THE SHELVING IS OKAY BUT IT IS
AMAZING HOW -- I ENDED UP WITH
PTSD FOR A FEW WEEKS BECAUSE I
WOULD FALL ASLEEP AND I WOULD
HEAR SOMETHING AND JUST BE LIKE
, OH, IS IT MY CLOSET?
IT WAS AWFUL.
I HAD TO ENDURE THAT FOR A FEW
WEEKS AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO
LIVE LIKE THIS.
AT 72 YEARS OLD, I SHOULD NOT
HAVE TO ENDURE THAT.
I'M ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE
SAFETY OF OUR ELECTRICAL WIRING
IN OUR UNIT.
WE WERE TOLD A LONG TIME AGO
THAT OUR APARTMENT BUILDING AND
THE TOWNHOUSES WERE NOT WIRED
CORRECTLY . WE ALWAYS WONDERED
HOW DID IT PASS ELECTRICAL
INSPECTION, WHERE THE BUILDING
WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION?
HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?
WE ARE NOW THE RECIPIENTS OF
FAULTY WIRING.
BECAUSE MY FRONT DOOR AND THE
BACK DOOR IS SO DRAFTY, I HAVE
TO USE A SPACE HEATER
CONSTANTLY TO KEEP WARM.
ONE TIME, I HAVE THE SPACE
HEATER ON AND THE DISHWASHER
WAS ON AND IT TRIPPED THE
BREAKER. I HAD TO RESET IT
AGAIN.
THERE WAS ANOTHER TIME WHEN I
TURNED ON THE BATHROOM LIGHT
AND THE BATHROOM FAN AND IT
ALSO TRIPPED.
IF YOU HAVE TOO MANY THINGS ON
IN THE APARTMENT, IT TRIPS. ONE
TIME, I WAS ACTUALLY IN THE
SHOWER.
I DO NOT TAKE SHOWERS IN THE
EVENING BECAUSE I WAS IN THE
SHOWER WHEN IT TRIPPED.
I DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.
ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT WAS JUST
DARK.
I KEEP MY CELL PHONE CLOSE BY
JUST IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS.
YOU KNOW, I HAD TO USE -- I
SHOULD NOT HAVE TO LIVE LIKE
THIS.
I AM A SENIOR.
FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD, THERE
ARE THE SAME THINGS.
OTHER TOWNHOUSES HAVE THE SAME
PROBLEM.
I AM REALLY, REALLY CONCERNED
ABOUT THAT.
IT IS A RESULT OF SUBSTANDARD
HOUSING CONDITIONS AND I AM
FEARFUL FOR MY SAFETY AND MY
NEIGHBOR'S SAFETY.
IT RESULTED IN PART BECAUSE THE
LANDLORD IGNORED REPEATED
COMPLAINTS FROM THE TENANTS
ABOUT THE HEATING NOT WORKING.
THE TENANTS WERE FORCED TO USE
SPACE HEATERS DURING THE WINTER
AND, OF COURSE, I HAVE TO USE A
SPACE HEATER.
MY NEIGHBORS HAVE ALSO TOLD ME
ABOUT ONGOING ISSUES IN THEIR
APARTMENTS, THAT THE LANDLORD
HAS REFUSED TO FIX.
ONE TENANT HAD TOLD ME ABOUT
ALL LEAKING FAUCET AND INSTEAD
OF FIXING IT, THEY TOLD HIM NOT
TO OPEN THE FAUCET ALL THE WAY.
YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO PRESSURE
THEM TO REALLY DO ANYTHING WITH
IT.
ANOTHER TENANT HAD A TOILET
THAT CREATED WET, MOLDY WALLS.
THEY HAVE SPENT MONTHS TRYING
TO GET IT FIXED.
AND THEN I HEARD SPARKS WHEN
THEY TURNED ON THE LIGHTS.
THEY FOUND OUT THERE WAS A LIVE
WIRE BEHIND THE LIGHT SWITCH.
NEARLY EVERY UNIT IN COLUMBIA
GARDENS HAS HAD PEST CONTROL
ISSUES FOR MONTHS.
SOMETIMES YEARS.
IT HAS BEEN AN ENORMOUS
STRUGGLE GETTING THEM TO COME
SPRAY THE UNITS.
WHEN THEY DO, THEY GIVE YOU
VERY SHORT NOTICE AND WE HAVE
TO VACATE FOR HOURS AT A TIME
AND ALSO IN PREPARATION, YOU
HAVE TO REMOVE ALL OF THE
THINGS FROM THE CABINETS, WHICH
IS A LOT.
WE HAVE A LOT OF DISABLED
PEOPLE HERE AND THEY ARE
REQUIRED TO DO IT.
MANAGEMENT WILL NOT GIVE YOU
ANY TYPE OF HELP.
ONE OF THE TENANTS, ONE OUR
TENANTS HERE WAS A UNION PIPE
PERSON AND THEY SAID THEY ARE
CONSTANTLY BACKING UP.
WE ALMOST HAVE TO USE THE
TOILET -- YOU HAVE TO FLUSH IT
AND THEN YOU HAVE TO SIT THERE
AGAIN.
IT IS AWFUL.
WHAT SHE TOLD US WAS --
>> THE HOST WOULD LIKE TO JOIN
YOU.
>> LAST YEAR, THE ELEVATOR WAS
BROKEN FOR OVER A MONTH, WHICH
IS EGREGIOUS IN THE BUILDING
THAT IS FOR SENIORS, MANY WHO
CANNOT TAKE THE STAIRS.
THEY FAILED TO REMOVE THE SNOW
AND ICE FROM OUR SIDE WALK AND
OUR COURT WORD WALKWAYS AND THE
TOWNHOUSE PARKING LOT.
THEY WERE MADE AWARE OF
SEATTLE'S ORDINANCE CODE BUT
THEY CHOSE TO IGNORE IT.
THEY WAITED UNTIL THE RAIN
WASHED AWAY ALL THE SNOW, WHICH
IS HORRIBLE.
I CANNOT -- I CANNOT EVEN TALK
ABOUT IT.
IT MAKES ME SO MAD.
THEY BASICALLY TOLD US WE
SHOULD STAY INDOORS.
THAT WOULD HAVE SOLVED OUR
PROBLEM.
WE LIVE IN A CONSTANT STATE OF
ANXIETY ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO
BREAK NEXT OR IF THE SHELVING
IS GOING TO FALL AGAIN.
MINE IS NOT THE ONLY CLOSET.
THERE HAVE BEEN OTHERS WHO HAVE
HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CLOSET.
THERE ARE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND
WILL THEY START A FIRE?
WHAT WILL THE NEXT PROBLEM BE?
I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I AM
EXHAUSTED LIVING HERE BECAUSE
WE HAVE SPENT SO MUCH TIME
CHASING DOWN MANAGEMENT FOR
BASIC REPAIRS OVER MONTHS AND
YEARS.
WE ARE SENIORS.
I HAVE TO TELL YOU, WE ARE YOUR
MOTHERS.
WE ARE YOUR FATHER'S.
WE ARE YOUR GRANDFATHERS AND
GRANDMOTHERS.
WE ARE YOUR AUNTS AND UNCLES
AND YOUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS.
WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO LIVE LIKE
THIS.
SO WE ARE NOT EVEN HUMAN
BEINGS.
WE ARE NOT BEING POLITE
ANYMORE.
WE ARE DEMANDING NOW THAT THEY
PUBLICLY PROMISE NO RENT
INCREASES IN 2022 AND THAT THEY
NEED TO URGENTLY FIX ALL
HOUSING CODE VIOLATIONS THAT
HAVE LED TO OUR DEPLORABLE
LIVING CONDITIONS.
>> HOW HAVE THEY BEEN ALLOWED
TO GET AWAY WITH THIS?
HOW CAN IT BE LEGAL FOR
LANDLORDS TO EXPLOIT RENTERS
LIKE THIS?
ESPECIALLY SENIORS.
WE PAY OUR RENT EVERY SINGLE
MONTH ON TIME.
I AM SO THANKFUL THAT WE
TENANTS HAVE GOTTEN ORGANIZED
ALONG WITH COUNCILMEMBER KSHAMA
SAWANT'S OFFICE.
I WANT OTHERS TO HOLD LANDLORDS
ACCOUNTABLE.
WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO LIVE LIKE
THIS.
WE DEMAND THEY MAKE IT ILLEGAL
FOR LANDLORDS TO IGNORE
TENANTS' COMPLAINTS.
I AM SORRY.
I GET SO EMOTIONAL ABOUT THIS.
WE NEED THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
TO INCREASE THE AMAZON TAX THAT
EXPANDS MONEY FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, AND NOT JUST
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT MAKING
QUALITY SUSTAINABLE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING BECAUSE WE ARE THE
RECIPIENTS OF WHEN PEOPLE MAKE
THOSE SHORTCUTS.
WE ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF THAT.
WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS AND
AS A SENIOR, I HAVE WORKED MY
ENTIRE LIFE, TRYING TO MAKE A
GOOD LIVING FOR MYSELF AND I DO
HAVE GOOD WAGES AND I CAN
AFFORD A LOT OF THE THINGS I
SEE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS
THAT CANNOT.
THEY CANNOT AFFORD IT.
THEY ARE STRUGGLING. NOTHING IS
BEING DONE.
WE ARE NOT BEING HEARD.
THIS IS WHY WE ARE HERE AND
PROTESTING AND RALLYING.
WE ARE DOING WHATEVER WE CAN.
IF WE HAVE TO GET A CITYWIDE
GROUP, WE WANT TO DO IT ALL
BECAUSE WE ARE SAYING ENOUGH IS
ENOUGH.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
FINALLY, THE CITY COUNCIL --
VOTED YES ON KSHAMA SAWANT'S
LEGISLATION FOR CITYWIDE RENT
CONTROL WITH NO CORPORATE
LOOPHOLES, WHICH WOULD HELP
SENIORS LIKE US, WHO ARE LIVING
ON FIXED INCOME.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I APPRECIATE YOU SHARING YOUR
STORY.
THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING ABOUT
YOURSELF.
DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR FEELING --
IF YOU DO NOT FEEL PASSIONATE
ABOUT THIS, THERE WOULD BE
SOMETHING WRONG AND I SHARE THE
FEELING YOU FEEL.
I FEEL THE SAME WAY WHEN I SEE
THE PAIN OF ALL THE RENTERS AND
WORKING PEOPLE IN OUR CITY.
I THINK, ESPECIALLY SENIORS ON
FIXED INCOME AND SENIORS OF
COLOR ARE IMPACTED.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I SHOULD MENTION THERE ARE MANY
SENIORS WHO ARE LIVING -- THEY
ARE FACING DISABILITY AND WE
HAVE SENIORS -- WE HAVE A RANGE
OF AGES OF PEOPLE LIVING AS WELL
. THEY ARE PUSHING BACK AGAINST
THIS KIND OF TREATMENT FROM
THEIR LANDLORDS.
WE WILL OPEN IT UP FOR COMMENTS
AND QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL
MEMBERS BUT LET'S HEAR FROM
GREYSON VAN ARSDALE.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND GO
AHEAD.
>> YES, THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS GREYSON VAN ARSDALE
AND I'M A TRANSGENDER RENTER
AND ALSO AN INDEPENDENT
REPORTER.
AS A WORKING PERSON I
APPRECIATE YOU ORGANIZING THIS
DISCUSSION AROUND LIVING
CONDITIONS. THANK YOU, ANNIE
BYSE-MOORE, FOR SPEAKING.
IN MY OWN EXPERIENCE AS A
RENTER, IT IS TYPICAL IN THE
SENSE I HAVE HAD CORPORATE
LANDLORDS -- WHEN SOMETHING
BREAKS I PUT IN A REQUEST FOR
IT TO GET FIXED AND I STARTED
PLANNING MY LIFE AROUND THAT
THING BEING BROKEN BECAUSE I
KNOW NO ONE WILL REPAIR IT
ANYTIME SOON.
THEY HAVE HAD BROKEN WASHERS
AND DRYERS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS
AND WE HAD CEILINGS THAT BROKE
THREE MONTHS AGO.
THEY HAVE NOT COME BACK TO
FINISH THE JOB, SO THERE IS A
GIANT HOLE IN THE BATHROOM
SEEING.
ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, I AM
VERY LUCKY TO HAVE RELIABLE
HEATING AND APPLIANCES.
THAT SHOWS YOU HOW DIRE THE
SITUATION IS FOR A LOT OF
PEOPLE IN WORSE POSITIONS THAN
ME.
I STARTED PAYING ATTENTION TO
RANIER COURT WHEN THE ORGANIZED
GETTING A 2021 RENT INCREASE
SUBMITTED, WHICH IS A PRETTY
MONUMENTAL VICTORY.
I WAS INTERVIEWING TENANTS AT
RANIER COURT AND LOOKING AT THE
BUILDINGS AND PUBLISHING AN
ARTICLE.
PART OF THE REASON I FELT IT
WAS IMPORTANT TO REPORT ON
THOSE TENANTS IS BECAUSE OF THE
RECENT FIRES THAT KILLED DOZENS
IN PHILADELPHIA AND IN THE
BRONX.
EACH OF THESE WERE ONLY DEADLY
BECAUSE OF THE BUILDING
CONDITIONS.
ENVELOP YOU, IT WAS SEVERELY
OVERCROWDED AND LACKED ETERNAL
FIRE IS BAKES -- APARTMENT
DOORS WERE SUPPOSED TO CLOSE
AUTOMATICALLY BUT THEY WERE
LEGALLY REQUIRED TO CLOSE
AUTOMATICALLY AND THEY DID NOT.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BUILDING
CONDITIONS, WE ARE NOT TALKING
ABOUT WORKING PEOPLE LIVING IN
A SQUALID ESTATE BUT PEOPLE
BEING AT RISK OF INJURY OR
DEATH BECAUSE OF LANDLORD
NEGLIGENCE.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE IN ALL
THESE INSTANCES, THE BRONX OR
IN PHILLY, THESE SITUATIONS
INVOLVE WORKING-CLASS TENANTS
AND IS PORTION WE TENANTS OF
COLOR.
I AM ALSO CONCERNED WITH THE
PERVASIVE MOLD IN THE BUILDING.
I TOOK A PHOTO OF THE BUILDING.
IT HAS LEAKED ONTO THE FLOOR
AND IT IS SURROUNDED BY DARK
BLACK MOLD.
THE ODDS THAT THEY HAVE
LOCALIZED TO ONE SPOT IS SMALL
AND A MOLDY BUILDING WILL
PATRIOT THE HEALTH OF ANYBODY,
ESPECIALLY SENIORS.
THE FRONT OF THE DAKOTA
BUILDING, WHICH IS THE PHOTO I
TOOK, THAT IS THE BROKEN GARAGE
DOOR.
THAT IS THE MOLD WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT.
THE TENANT I SPOKE TO, WHICH IS
A 65-YEAR-OLD MAN, WAS AN
EXCELLENT RESPIRATORY HEALTH
WHEN HE MOVED INTO THE BUILDING
AND AFTER 10 YEARS OF LIVING
THERE, HE CAN NO LONGER WALK TO
THE BATHROOM WITHOUT WHEEZING.
AS SOMEONE WHO HAS CHRONIC
RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS MYSELF, I
WAS ONLY ABLE TO BE IN THE
BUILDING FOR A SHORT TIME
BEFORE FEELING THE AFFECTS ON
MY BREATHING AS WELL.
MOLD IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF
PROBLEMS.
MANY ARE WITHOUT HEAT AND HAVE
BEEN FOR WEEKS OR MONTHS.
AS YOU SAW, THE GARAGE DOOR IS
BROKEN AND PERMANENTLY OPEN,
WHICH IS CAUSING RESIDENTS TO
HAVE THEIR CAR STOLEN.
YOU HEARD HIM SPEAK IN COMMENT
PUBLIC -- THEN YOU HAVE THE
DEADLY FIRES ON THE EAST COAST.
SEVERAL DOORS ARE -- THEY HAVE
BROKEN AUTOMATIC HINGES,
MEANING THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO
CLOSE ON THEIR OWN FOR FIRE
SAFETY.
DOORS LIKE THAT WITH
NONFUNCTIONING CENTRAL HEATING
ARE THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF
BUILDING FIRES GETTING OUT OF
CONTROL.
IT IS WHY 17 PEOPLE DIED IN THE
BRONX FIRE THIS MONTH AND THESE
ARE THE KINDS OF REPAIRS THAT
TENANTS ARE BEING TOLD ARE
NONESSENTIAL.
AFTER SEEING ALL OF THAT, I
CANNOT TELL YOU HOW INFURIATING
IT IS TO GO TO THE SOUTHEAST
DEVELOPING WEBSITE, THE
LANDLORD'S WEBSITE AND READ
THEIR TAGLINE, WHICH IS,
EVERYONE DESERVES A SAFE,
AFFORDABLE, DIGNIFIED PLACE TO
LIVE.
IN REALITY, THEY HAVE CLEARLY
MADE A BUSINESS MODEL OUT OF
KEEPING SENIORS IN UNDIGNIFIED
AND DANGEROUS LIVING CONDITIONS.
I FOUND IN 2019, NOT ONLY DID
THEY RECEIVE MORE THAN $4000 IN
GRANTS, BUT THEY ALSO MADE SIX-
FIGURE SALARIES.
THEY HAD MORE THAN $3 MILLION
IN TOTAL ASSETS AND WE KNOW FOR
A FACT THESE ISSUES HAVE
EXISTED FOR YEARS.
WE HOPE THERE ARE OTHER MEDIA
WATCHING THIS AND WILLING TO
REPORT ON THIS DEEPLY AND HOLD
THEM TO ACCOUNT.
I WANT TO THANK KSHAMA SAWANT
AND THE TENANTS FOR FIGHTING
FOR BETTER CONDITIONS . IT IS
REALLY IMPORTANT THAT MANY
OTHER WORKING PEOPLE AND UNION
MEMBERS VOCALLY SUPPORT THE
TENANTS AND I HOPE THE CITY
COUNCIL WILL TAKE IMMEDIATE AND
SERIOUS ACTION TO INVESTIGATE
THIS AND TO ENACT LEGISLATION
TO HOLD LANDLORDS TO ACCOUNT.
AND THEN THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS
TO ENDING THE HOUSING CRISIS.
WE NEED STRONG RENTING POLICY
IN THE CITY AND I SUPPORT
INCREASING THE AMAZON TAX TO
MASSIVELY EXPAND HIGH-QUALITY
SOCIAL HOUSING.
THAT IS THE ONLY WAY THAT
WORKING-CLASS, BLACK AND BROWN
SENIORS WILL CONTINUE TO GET ON
TRAPPED.
AND IT IS THE ONLY WAY RENTERS
LIKE ME CAN AFFORD TO STAY IN
THE CITY AS COSTS CONTINUE TO
RISE.
>> THANK YOU, GRACETON.
CAN WE GO BACK TO -- I NOTICED
THIS.
WE WILL COME BACK TO IT.
THERE ARE OTHER SLIDES TO SHOW.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING
THIS.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR
EXPERIENCES AND WHAT YOU AND
YOUR FELLOW TENANTS HAVE BEEN
DOING IN ORDER TO HOLD YOUR
LANDLORDS ACCOUNTABLE.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, I HAVE OTHER
POINTS TO ADD BUT I WANTED TO
OPEN IT UP TO OTHERS FOR
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
GO AHEAD, COUNCILMEMBER DEBORA
JUAREZ.
>> I SAID I WAS GOOD.
THANK YOU, GREYSON VAN
ARSDALE.
>> JUST ONE THING I WAS GOING
TO SHARE.
I WILL CALL ON TAMMY MORALES IN
JUST A SECOND.
THEY MENTIONED MOLD AND THE
PROBLEMS OF MOLD.
IN MY OFFICE, WE SOLICITED
RESPONSES FROM RENTERS
THROUGHOUT THE CITY TO ASK THEM
-- WE WANTED TO GET A SENSE OF
HOW MANY RENTERS ARE FACING
THIS PROBLEM.
I THINK THAT IS A WORTHY
PROJECT.
WE SENT OUT A REQUEST FOR
RENTERS TO TELL US THEIR
STORIES AND I WANTED TO SHARE
ONE OF THEM RIGHT NOW.
THE RENTER SAYS I HAVE INFORMED
MY LANDLORD I HAVE A BLACK
MOLD.
I HAVE HAD IT FOR FIVE YEARS
AND HE HAS NOT ACCEPTED THERE
IS A LEAK.
WE DO NOT HAVE GOOD INSULATION.
THERE IS NO GOING ALL OVER THE
PLACE.
I WILL SHARE A COUPLE OTHER
THINGS.
GO AHEAD, COUNCILMEMBER TAMMY
MORALES.
>> THANK YOU.
I DO NOT REALLY HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS BUT I WANTED TO
COMMENT ON SOME OF THE THINGS
WE HEARD FROM TENANTS AND I
WANTED TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR
BEING HERE AND SHARING YOUR
STORIES.
I DO THINK IT IS CLEAR THAT
THEY ARE NOT HOLDING THEIR END
OF THE CONTRACT BY MAKING
REPAIRS ON THE TIMELINE THEY
ARE SUPPOSED TO.
IT IS, YOU KNOW, LEVERAGE WE
HAVE AS A CITY IS RESTRICTING
THE FUNDING THAT THESE KINDS OF
ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVED, IF THEY
ARE NOT MEETING YOUR BASIC
HABITABILITY REQUIREMENTS.
CLEARLY, DEVELOPERS AND
CONTRACTORS SHOULD ALSO BE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE FOR UNSAFE LIVING
CONDITIONS AND THE LANDLORDS
SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AS
WELL.
I DO WANT TO SAY, WE CONTRACT
AS A CITY AND ALSO CONTRACT
WITH THE TENANT UNION.
WE ORGANIZE TENANTS TO HELP
THEM UNDERSTAND HOW TO MEET
WITH THE LANDLORDS AND MAKE THE
KIND OF DEMANDS WE ARE HAVING
HERE.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT, FOR
EXAMPLE, THE TENANT UNION CAN
GET PEOPLE TO THE BAR
ASSOCIATION OR THE CLINICS
WHERE PEOPLE CAN LEARN TO TALK
WITH LAWYERS FOR FREE AND HELP
THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHTS,
ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE NOT
RESPONDING TO THE QUESTIONS
THAT THEY HAVE.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WE LET
THESE ORGANIZATIONS, WE ARE
PAYING TOP ORGANIZE TENANTS, DO
THAT WORK, SO WE CAN BUILD
CAPACITY OF PEOPLE LIVING IN
THESE CONDITIONS TO UNDERSTAND
THEIR RIGHTS AND THE PROCESS TO
GET THINGS ADDRESSED.
I WILL ALSO SAY IT IS TRUE THAT
SEATTLE TENANT RIGHTS LAWS DO
NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH PROTECTION
FOR PEOPLE.
ESPECIALLY SINCE THE LANDLORD
VIOLATIONS ARE CIVIL
VIOLATIONS, WE LEARNED THE LAST
YEAR, WHEN WE WERE PASSING
EVICTIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO COULD
NOT PAY RENT DURING COVID, WE
GRANTED THE JUST CAUSE OF
PROTECTION BY CLOSING THAT END
OF LEASE LOOPHOLE.
THERE ARE A LOT OF LIMITATIONS
TO WHAT THE CITY CAN DO THAT
COME FROM THE STATE.
I AM WANTING TO FIGURE OUT HOW
WE MAKE THOSE CHANGES AT THE
STATE LEVEL.
THESE ARE EXAMPLES OF WHY WE
NEED TO FIGHT AT THE STATE
LEVEL, SO WE CAN STRENGTHEN THE
RENTERS WE HAVE AT THE CITY
LEVEL AS WELL.
AGAIN, I WANTED TO THANK
TENANTS FOR BEING HERE, SHARING
THEIR STORIES AND I LOOK
FORWARD TO THE WORK WE HAVE, TO
MAKE SURE WE ARE STRENGTHENING
PROTECTIONS AND KEEPING PEOPLE
ACCOUNTABLE FOR SAFE, HEALTHY
LIVING CONDITIONS FOR OUR
NEIGHBORS.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
TAMMY MORALES.
WOULD ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS
WANT TO SAY ANYTHING?
I DO NOT SEE --
>> I WANTED TO CALL ON THIS
PERSON FROM MY OFFICE.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME MORE
SLIDES WE CAN LOOK AT AND ALSO
YOU AND OTHER STAFF MEMBERS
LIKE NIC JONES AND OTHERS --
THEY HAVE BEEN AT RANIER COURT
FOR MANY MONTHS AND I HAVE ALSO
DONE THAT.
I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD
SHARE WITH THE COMMITTEE WHAT
YOU OBSERVED OVERALL IN
ADDITION TO THAT.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR THE
RECORD.
>> HELLO, I WORK IN KSHAMA
SAWANT'S OFFICE.
I AM HERE WITH ANNIE BYSE-
MOORE AND THE TENANTS AT
RANIER COURT.
WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT PUBLIC
COMMENTS AND POWERFUL TESTIMONY
TODAY AND I THINK IN TESTIMONY,
IT REALLY DEMONSTRATES JUST HOW
MANY TENANTS ARE DEALING WITH
MONTHS AND YEARS OF FIGHTING TO
GET BASIC REPAIRS MADE.
AND THEN, FRANKLY, IT IS NOT
JUST BASIC REPAIRS BUT REALLY
DANGEROUS CONDITIONS THAT
ULTIMATELY, LIKE GRAYSON
EXPLAINED, CAN LEAD TO
HAZARDOUS, LIFE-THREATENING
CONDITIONS FOR SENIORS AND
FOLKS WITH DISABILITIES.
I SPOKE WITH ONE TENANT WHERE
THE ELEVATOR WAS BROKEN FOR
MONTHS.
WHAT THAT MEANS, IN REALITY FOR
SENIORS AND FOLKS WITH
DISABILITIES IS THEY CANNOT
LEAVE THEIR APARTMENTS WHERE
THEY LIVE.
I TALKED TO A TENANT THAT HAD
TO CANCEL HER DOCTOR'S
APPOINTMENTS AND PHYSICAL
THERAPY APPOINTMENTS BECAUSE
SHE COULD NOT LEAVE HER
APPOINTMENT WHILE THE ELEVATOR
WAS BROKEN.
YOU HAVE TOILETS THAT ARE
BROKEN FOR WEEKS.
THERE ARE OTHER NECESSARY
APPLIANCES.
THEN THERE IS THE MOLD.
MARK WAS ONE WHO SAID, YOU
KNOW, HE HAS BEEN HOSPITALIZED
FOR MOLD ISSUES AND RESPIRATORY
ISSUES.
YOU KNOW, THESE ARE -- IT IS A
CRISIS OVER HERE AND IT IS
WIDESPREAD IN ALL BUILDINGS TO
VARYING DEGREES.
THEY ARE DILAPIDATED OR FALLING
APART AND I THINK THERE ARE A
COUPLE PHOTOS THAT WE WERE
GOING TO ALSO SHOW.
ONE TENANT HAD A LEAK IN HER
BATHROOM.
SHE LIVED IN A TOWNHOUSE IN A
DAKOTA BUILDING AND THIS IS HER
CEILING AND ONE OF HER
BATHROOMS AFTER THE LANDLORD
CAME TO FIX THE LEAK AND THIS
WAS IN DECEMBER.
THEY LEFT HER CEILING LIKE
THIS.
THE NEXT PHOTO IS HER OTHER
BATHROOM AND IT IS EVEN WORSE.
IT IS STILL LIKE THAT.
IT HAS BEEN LIKE THAT SINCE
DECEMBER.
>> IF I INTERRUPT YOU, DID IT
HAPPEN IN DECEMBER?
>> I'M NOT SURE HOW LONG THE
LEAK HAS BEEN GOING ON BUT IT
WAS FINALLY REPAIRED IN
DECEMBER, EARLY DECEMBER, AND
THEN THEY HAVE BEEN DEALING
WITH MORE SINCE THEN.
WE ARE LATE INTO JANUARY AND
SHE HAS NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL
FIX THE CEILING.
IT IS HORRIFYING, LOOKING AT
THOSE PHOTOS.
IT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.
YEAH, YOU KNOW -- THE NEXT
SLIDE HAS TWO VIDEOS.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> THERE IS THE SHOP.
THIS BUILDING HAS, ON THE FIRST
FLOOR, SOME BUSINESSES -- THEY
RENT A SMALL PLACE AND THIS IS
THE CONVENIENCE STORE AND --
MULTIPLE STORES IN THAT
BUILDING HAVE HAD PERSISTENT
LEAKS FROM THE ROOF AND -- THE
WATER IS JUST POURING OUT OF
THE ROOF.
>> THIS IS HAPPENING EVERY DAY?
>> EVERY DAY.
>> AND THEN WE HAVE ONE OF THE
OTHER ORGANIZERS IN THE OFFICE.
TENANTS IN THE BUILDING
REPORTED NOT ONLY ARE THE LEAKS
CONSTANT IN THE FIRST FLOOR BUT
ALSO, YOU KNOW, MULTIPLE TIMES
OVER THE LAST MONTH, WHEN
REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, THEY
WILL GIVE LITTLE NOTICE THAT
THEY ARE SHUTTING OFF WATER FOR
THE ENTIRE BUILDING AND HAVE NO
SENSE WHEN THE WATER WILL COME
BACK ON.
I TALKED TO ATTENDED AS THEY
WERE REPAIRING THE LEAKS, WHO
SAID THE WATER WAS TURNED OFF
AT 9:30 IN THE MORNING IT WAS
2:00 WITH 3:00 AND THEY SAID
THE WATER IS STILL OFF AND HAVE
NO IDEA WHEN IT WILL COME BACK
ON.
THIS TOTAL LACK OF
COMMUNICATION, WHEN THEY DO GO
AND REPAIR SOMETHING, SO MUCH
REMAINS UNREPAIRED.
THAT IS A SENSE -- AS WE HAVE
WORKED WITH TENANTS, IT IS HARD
RAKING AND HORRIFYING.
IT IS MUCH WORSE TO HAVE TO
LIVE IN THESE CONDITIONS AND TO
SEE IT, YOU KNOW, IT IS
INFURIATING AND IT IS ALSO
INSPIRING HOW TENANTS, YOU
KNOW, ARE AT THEIR WITS END BUT
RATHER THAN TRYING TO MOVE OUT
OR LEAVE, I THINK THE FAR MORE
EFFECTIVE RESPONSE, CLEARLY, IS
SEEING HOW WIDESPREAD IT IS AND
TO FIGHT BACK.
THIS IS NONPROFIT HOUSING.
IF THESE ARE THE CONDITIONS FOR
A AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR
SENIORS AND FOLKS WITH
DISABILITIES AND IMMIGRANTS,
THE MOST VULNERABLE, IF THIS IS
THE KIND OF THING THEY HAVE,
YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT IS
GOING ON FOR THE THOUSANDS AND
THOUSANDS OF RENTERS LIVING IN
FOR-PROFIT HOUSING.
YEAH, WE WANTED TO SHARE THIS.
YOU CAN SHARE THE MONITOR OF
OTHER REPORTS WE HAVE GOTTEN
FROM TENANTS.
>> YOU SHOULD GO AHEAD.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF
TENANTS.
CAN YOU GIVE US A SENSE OF HOW
MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS --
EXPLAINED THAT THIS IS NOT
AFFECTING JUST ONE OR TWO.
THE SCALE IS MUCH BIGGER THAN
THAT.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THERE ARE FOUR BUILDINGS IN
RANIER COURT, OF THE PROPERTY.
OVERALL, I THINK WE HAVE
CALCULATED SOMETHING OVER 550
UNITS, I WANT TO SAY.
THOSE ARE HUNDREDS OF TENANTS
FROM UNITS AND FAMILIES.
WE ARE LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, AT
LEAST OVER 700 TENANTS WHO LIVE
IN THESE BUILDINGS AND EVERY
SINGLE TENANT WE HAVE SPOKEN TO
HAS HAD SOME KIND OF ISSUE AND
WE HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO THE
MAJORITY.
WE HAVE SPOKEN TO HUNDREDS.
WE HAVE BEEN ORGANIZING BUT WE
HAVE NOT HAD A SINGLE TENANT
WHO HAS NOT SAID LIVING HERE
WAS A NIGHTMARE AND IT IS
HORRIBLE.
I WOULD LOVE TO LEAVE AS SOON
AS I CAN.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED AND WHAT
CAN I SIGN BECAUSE THIS IS
HORRIFIC.
WE ALSO GET EMAILS -- KSHAMA
SAWANT HAS RECEIVED EMAILS FROM
A PROPERTY MANAGER.
WE HAVE GOTTEN EMAILS FROM
OTHER TENANTS WHO HAVE HEARD
ABOUT THE WORK AND THEY SAID
THEY'D MANAGE MY BUILDING AND
IT IS ALSO TERRIBLE.
YOU CAN GET A SENSE OF THIS IS
HAPPENING ACROSS THE CITY AND
THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF
TENANTS ARE IMPACTED.
>> THANK YOU.
THAT IS REALLY HELPFUL.
I THINK IT HELPS TO SEE THE
VISUALS.
I ALSO WANTED TO ALLOW THE
PANEL IS, IF THEY WANT TO SPEAK
ON ANYTHING, THAT THEY SHOULD
DEFINITELY KNOW.
I WANTED TO ASK -- ONE OF THE
QUESTIONS I THINK -- WE HAVE AN
AGENDA ITEM OF WHAT WE HAVE FOR
NEXT STEPS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I AM
SEEING FROM SHIRLEY ANDERSON --
SHE IS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
AND SMALL BUSINESSES OR TENANTS
OF LANDLORD'S ARE ALSO FACING
PROBLEMS.
CAN YOU CHECK WHAT LAWS ARE
CURRENTLY IN PLACE AND IF THEY
ARE DIFFERENT?
>> THEY ARE DIFFERENT.
I WILL HAVE TO RESEARCH THAT
AND GET BACK TO YOU.
OVERWHELMINGLY, THE CONCERNS
THAT I HAVE FOUND -- I AM SURE
THAT THEY WILL BE DIFFERENT, AS
YOU MENTIONED WITH SMALL
BUSINESSES.
>> THANK YOU.
THAT WOULD BE VERY MUCH
APPRECIATED IF I CAN HAVE SOME
OF THOSE ANSWERS BY THE NEXT
MEETING.
I AM SURE THAT THEY ARE
LISTENING AND IT IS EXTREMELY
HELPFUL.
YOU HAVE YOUR HAND RAISED,
ALLISON?
GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU.
I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK TO THE
COMMENT EARLIER ABOUT UTILIZING
THE EXISTING RESOURCES FOR
TENANTS AND GOING THROUGH THE
PROPER CHANNELS.
I THINK THAT IS A GREAT
RECOMMENDATION BUT EVEN WHEN WE
DO THAT AS A TENANT, YOU DO NOT
GET ANYWHERE BECAUSE WHAT ENDS
UP HAPPENING IS THE LANDLORD
HAS ALL THE POWER TO JUST SAY
NO, THANK YOU.
I DO NOT REALLY WANT TO DO
THAT.
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE
CITY IS NOT REALLY ABLE TO
ENFORCE HOUSING CODES.
WE HAVE THESE LAWS.
THEY JUST, THEY JUST FALL ON
DEAF YEARS.
I DO NOT KNOW WHO NEEDS TO BE
LISTENING MORE BUT WE HAVE A
CRISIS AND IF I LOSE THIS HOME,
I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE I WILL GO.
I AM ONE OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
IN THE SAME SITUATION.
IT IS HARD FOR ME TO HEAR GO
THROUGH THE PROPER CHANNEL
BECAUSE WE DID AND WE DO AND IT
DOESN'T WORK.
>> THANK YOU, ALLISON.
WE WILL HEAR FROM COUNCILMEMBER
SARA NELSON .
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT.
KSHAMA SAWANT BROUGHT UP -- YOU
SAID SOMETHING -- I AM NEW TO
THIS TOPIC.
YOU SET THE UNITS -- SOME OF
THEM HAVE RECEIVED CITY OF
SEATTLE FUNDING.
IS THAT CORRECT?
I WILL LET YOU ANSWER THAT,
WITH THIS ONE PROJECT.
I GUESS MY POINT IS I THINK
WHERE WE HAVE LEVERAGE WOULD BE
THE EASIEST WAY TO START.
YOU MENTIONED WITHHOLDING
FUNDING OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
I WAS TRYING TO GET A SENSE OF
THESE VIOLATIONS AND IF THEY
ARE LARGELY IN HOUSING, YOU
KNOW, PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE
BEEN A PART OF?
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER,
FOR THAT QUESTION.
TO CLARIFY -- ADD IF I AM
MISSING ANYTHING.
WE HAVE SAID THERE ARE OVER 50
TENANTS.
THEY DO RECEIVE FUNDING AND,
ABSOLUTELY, WE SHOULD BE, AS
THE CITY COUNCIL, SHOULD BE
USING WHATEVER LEVERAGE WE CAN
IMMEDIATELY TO HOLD
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THEM
ACCOUNTABLE.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT OTHER
LANDLORDS.
MOST RENTERS NOW ARE TENANTS OF
CORPORATE LANDLORDS.
I AM GLAD YOU RAISED THIS
POINT.
TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, LAST
YEAR THEY DID NOT JOIN ME IN
PUSHING FOR THIS.
I HAVE BEEN DEMANDING THEY
CHANGE THIS TIME AS YOU HAVE
HEARD FROM MULTIPLE PEOPLE.
THEY HAVE BEEN -- YOU CAN SEE
THE COMMENTS RUNNING HERE, THAT
WHETHER THEY ARE NONPROFIT,
LIKE A BIG ONE LIKE SEATTLE
HOUSING AUTHORITY, OR CORPORATE
LANDLORDS OR PRIVATE LANDLORDS
-- THE COMMON THREAD RUNNING
HERE IS THAT LANDLORDS ARE NOT
BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
SPECIFICALLY ON THE NONPROFIT
ISSUE, YES, I COULD NOT AGREE
MORE.
ABSOLUTELY, THE CITY COUNCIL
HAS THE MINIMUM OBLIGATION TO
HOLD THOSE DIVISIONS
ACCOUNTABLE BUT THAT HAS NOT
HAPPENED YET.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MAKING
THAT HAPPEN, I REALLY WELCOME
YOUR SUPPORT ON THAT.
I AM JUST TELLING YOU THAT HAS
NOT HAPPENED.
NO OTHER COUNCIL MEMBER HAS
REALLY DONE THAT AND WE NEED
THEM.
I SHOULD MENTION THAT WE DID
HAVE A HUGE LABOR UNION.
THEY SAID THEY SHOULD CHANGE
THEIR PRACTICES AND THEY SHOULD
CHANGE THEIR AGREEMENT CODES
AND I APPRECIATE THE LETTER.
WE NEED MORE PROGRESSIVE PEOPLE
TO DO THAT.
THEY SEEM TO BE THE EXCEPTION
TO THE RULE.
WE NEED MORE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO
SPEAK UP ABOUT THIS.
AS FAR AS THE VAST MAJORITY OF
RENTERS, THEY DO NOT -- CITY
POLITICS MOSTLY SUPPORT THEM
BUT THEY DO NOT GET DIRECTLY
FUNDED.
SO, WE DO NEED CITYWIDE STRONG
HOUSING CODES AND ENFORCEMENT.
I THINK BOTH THE QUESTIONS ARE
VALID.
ONE IS WHAT WILL THEY DO TO
HOLD NONPROFITS ACCOUNTABLE AND
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO IN ORDER
TO HOLD OTHER LANDLORDS
ACCOUNTABLE.
I APPRECIATE ALLISON'S RESPONSE
ABOUT THE CONTRACT THE CITY HAS
. THEY DO EXCELLENT WORK BUT,
AS THEY SAID, WE NEED STRONGER
ENFORCEMENT FROM THE CITY.
A LOT OF PEOPLE MENTIONED RENT
CONTROL.
THAT IS A CRUCIAL PART.
IF YOU HAVE CITYWIDE RENT
CONTROL, THEY WILL HAVE
AFFORDABLE OPTIONS.
IT AUTOMATICALLY WILL MAKE THE
LANDLORDS FIX THE PROBLEM
BECAUSE THEN THEY WILL NOT HAVE
TENANTS ARE FORCED TO STAY IN
UNITS BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOWHERE
TO MOVE.
ALLISON MADE THAT POINT VERY
WELL.
AND THEN ALLISON -- WE HAVE
MORE.
GO AHEAD, ALLISON.
>> JUST ONE MORE COMMENT.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A SITUATION
WHERE RENTERS HAD THE ABILITY
TO LEGALLY WITHHOLD RENT WHEN
THE LANDLORD DOES NOT FULFILL
THEIR END OF THE LEASE.
WE CONTINUE TO PAY AND PAY AND
PAY AND THEY GET TO DO WHATEVER
THEY WANT AND THE MINUTE WE
STOPPED PAYING, WE ARE OUT.
I REALLY WISH THAT THERE WAS
SOME WAY TO BALANCE THAT POWER.
>> YEAH, I AGREE.
>> I WANTED TO ADD -- I FILED A
PUBLIC DISCLOSURE FOR ALL
FOLLOW-UP -- I HEARD MULTIPLE
TENANTS SAY DURING THE HEAT
WAVE, THEIR APARTMENTS FOR OVER
110 DEGREES AND ONE TENET I
SPOKE TO WENT TO THE HOSPITAL
AS A RESULT.
EXTREME HEAT IS VERY DANGEROUS.
I FILED THAT REPORT TO SEE IF
ANYONE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT AND I
INTEND TO REPORT ON THAT AS
WELL.
WE HEARD RUMORS THAT TENANTS
DIED AS A RESULT OF THE HEAT
WAVE AND I AM TRYING TO CONFIRM
IF THAT IS TRUE.
I WANT TO ALSO AGREE WITH WHAT
ALLISON SAID.
THEY NEED TO BE PROACTIVELY
ENFORCED, RATHER THAN
REACTIVELY.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR NO ABOUT
EVERY VIOLATION.
THEY SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND
FIND LANDLORDS FOR UNSAFE
CONDITIONS.
THEY WANT LEGISLATION OUTLAWING
THAT.
POWER IMBALANCE STILL EXISTS.
SORT OF WITHHOLDING RENT,
THERE'S NOTHING A RENTER CAN DO
TO MAKE SURE THE LANDLORD HOLD
UP THEIR END OF THE LEASE AND
THAT IS A HUGE PROBLEM.
THIS IS STRAIGHTFORWARD IN MY
OPINION.
IF THE LANDLORD CANNOT AGREE
THAT LEGISLATION SHOULD EXIST
TO ENSURE WINTERS THAT THINGS
ARE REPAIRED IN A TIMELY
FASHION, AS A JOURNALIST, I
WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE ABOUT
WHERE THEY ARE LEAVING -- I
WANT TO THANK THEM FOR
COMMENTS.
I WOULD OFFER WHETHER OR NOT
THE STATE TAKES UP RENTERS
RIGHTS ISSUES, WHICH I AGREE
THEY SHOULD, IT IS THE
RESPONSIBILITY -- THEY HAVE HAD
A BAN ON THIS FOR 41 YEARS.
WE KNOW WHERE THEY STAND.
AS A SEATTLE RENTER, I AM
ASKING ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO.
IT CANNOT BE OVERSTATED THAT
RENT CONTROL IS LONG OVERDUE.
IT IS REALLY SIMPLE
CALCULATIONS.
IF RENTS KEEP RISING LIKE THEY
HAVE BEEN, THEY ARE BACK TO PRE-
PANDEMIC LEVELS.
PEOPLE LIKE ME CANNOT AFFORD TO
STAY IN THE CITY MUCH LONGER.
THEY NEED TO STOP HOUSE PRICE
GOUGING.
WE NEED PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE
SOCIAL HOUSING, SO PEOPLE HAVE
OPTIONS, RATHER THAN HAVING TO
STAY IN HAZARDOUS APARTMENTS
FOR YEARS OR DECADES.
TO DO THAT IS BY INCREASING THE
AMAZON TAX, WHICH IS PROVEN TO
BE VITAL FUNDING, AS WE SAW
DURING THE BUDGET DISCUSSION.
THAT IS ALL I HAVE.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> THANK YOU, ALLISON AND
GRAYSON.
WE HAVE PEOPLE WAITING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE
AGENDA ITEM.
I AM SURE YOU -- BEFORE WE
CLOSE, I WANT -- I WANT TO
SHARE WHAT THE OFFICE HAS HEARD
THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
>> JUST BRIEFLY, I THINK IT IS
CLEAR, YOU KNOW, TO REITERATE
WHAT WAS SAYING, TENANTS ARE
DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT IN
CONTINUING TO PAY RENT AND IN
RESPONSE, WHAT THEY GET IS A
TENANT WHO TOLD US THERE IS A
KITCHEN SINK AND DISHWASHER
THAT HAS OVERFLOWED AND THEY
FOUND ASBESTOS IN THE DRYWALL
AND EVERYTHING -- THAT TENANT,
AS OF THIS MONTH, STILL HAS NO
KITCHEN.
THEY HAVE BEEN CHARGED THE SAME
RENT AND HAVE REPORTED ANXIETY
AND DEPRESSION.
THERE ARE GAS OVENS THAT ARE
HAVING BOOMING SOUNDS.
IT IS CLEARLY DANGEROUS.
IT TOOK FOUR MONTHS FOR THEM TO
GET A NEW STOVE.
WE HAVE GOTTEN DOZENS OF EMAILS
THAT THEY HAVE A BLACK MOLD BUT
THEY NEVER FIXED IT.
THEY WILL SAY WHERE DO I START?
THE LANDLORDS NEVER MAKE
REPAIRS UNLESS THE CITY
THREATENS THEM WITH FINES.
THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO
OVERCHARGE FOR RENT.
THEY GO DAYS WITHOUT HOT WATER.
ONE TENANT GOT A FIVE DOLLAR
RENT INCREASE AND HAD TO MOVE
OUT.
THE APARTMENT WAS SIGNED OFF
AND THEN THEY GET A LETTER FROM
THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT,
DEMANDING OVER $7000 FOR
REPAIRS, INCLUDING $1000 FOR
LIGHT BULBS AND $1000 FOR
BLINDS.
TENANTS ARE TRYING TO GO
THROUGH PROPER CHANNELS, BUT
THEY CANNOT POSSIBLY KEEP UP
WITH LANDLORDS ABUSING THE
MASSIVE AMOUNT OF POWER THEY
HAVE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
ALL OF THESE CHANNELS, THE
PROPER CHANNELS ARE BROKEN.
TENANTS ARE GETTING ORGANIZED
AND FIGHTING BACK AND I AGREE
COUNCIL MEMBERS URGENTLY, YOU
KNOW, THERE IS A LOT THAT
REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE
URGENTLY TO SUPPORT THESE
TENANTS AND MAKE SURE THE LAWS
ARE ENFORCED.
>> THANK YOU EVERYBODY WHO HAS
SPOKEN.
WE WANT TO SUMMARIZE WHAT COMES
NEXT.
WE ARE IN TOUCH WITH THEM TO
GET MORE CLARITY ON WHAT KIND
OF COMPLAINTS THEY ARE GETTING
AND HOW LONG LANDLORDS ARE
TAKING TO FIX THEM.
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH
ALLISON AND ANNIE AND GRAYSON
THAT WE NEED TO SHOW UP.
THE BOTTOM LINE HAS TO BE THE
LANDLORD CANNOT CHARGE FULL
RENT AND CONTINUE DOING THAT
WHEN CONDITIONS ARE IGNORED FOR
WEEKS, MONTHS, AND YEARS.
I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY WITH
THEIR INPUT ON WHAT CHANGES WE
NEED TO MAKE AND WE WILL COME
BACK TO THAT DISCUSSION VERY
SOON.
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN.
WE HAVE OUR FINAL AGENDA ITEM,
WHICH IS A DISCUSSION WITH
CLIMATE ACTIVISTS ABOUT THE
PIPELINE MOVEMENT AND THE
EXPANSION OF FOSSIL FUEL
INFRASTRUCTURE.
THESE -- IT IS FAR MORE
DIFFICULT FOR COMPANIES TO
CREATE NEW PIPELINES AND OTHER
PROJECTS THAT WILL RESULT IN
DECADES OF NEW DAMAGE.
MAY WANT TO STOP THE EXPANSION
OF INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND OTHER
GOVERNMENTS AND THEY WANT THEM
TO REFUSE TO DO BUSINESS WITH
THE FINANCIAL -- THEY WANT TO
DEVELOP LEGISLATION THAT
EMPOWERS THE OVERSIGHT BOARDS.
THEY DID A LOT OF WORK.
OTHERS ARE BIDDING ON
CONTRACTS.
IF THEY CHOOSE -- THE CITY IS A
DEPARTMENT -- THEY REQUIRE TO
FIND 20% IN THEIR SELECTION OF
COMPANIES TO WIN CONTRACTS.
I EXPECT THEM TO ONLY
OCCASIONALLY USE THEIR
AUTHORITY AND TO JOIN WITH THE
MOVEMENT, ESPECIALLY COMPANIES
THAT HAVE TIES TO THE FOSSIL
FUEL SECTOR.
THEY CAN HAVE AN IMPACT BEYOND
JUST ONE CITY BECAUSE OF THE
EXAMPLE.
I EXPECT THAT THE BOARD WILL
SPEND A BULK OF THEIR TIME ON
OTHER ASSIGNMENTS AND I'M
LOOKING FORWARD TO THEIR WORK
AS A WHOLE.
WE HAVE CHRIS WILKE AND MATT
REMLE AND RACHEL HEATON.
I WOULD URGE YOU TO INTRODUCE
YOURSELF.
>> THANK YOU.
I AM LOOKING FOR CHRIS.
IS CHRIS STILL -- THANK YOU FOR
HAVING US.
THERE IS AN OBVIOUS AND DIRECT
CONNECTION BETWEEN THE
PRESENTATION THAT WE JUST HEARD
AND THE ISSUE OF THE CLIMATE
CRISIS AND -- CHRIS SAYS HE IS
HERE BUT WE DO NOT SEE HIM ON
THE CHAT.
>> I FOUND HIM.
>> OH, GOT YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
KSHAMA SAWANT AND TO THE REST
OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS ON THE
SUBCOMMITTEE, I AM HAPPY TO BE
HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT STEPS
THE CITY HAS TAKEN TO ADDRESS
THE FINANCIAL SECTOR AND THEIR
ROLE IN THE CLIMATE CRISIS.
MY NAME IS MATT REMLE AND I'M
ON THE STEUBEN COMMITTEE FOR
THE OVERSIGHT BOARD BUT I AM
NOT HERE IN THE CAPACITY TODAY.
I AM SPEAKING -- ALSO, I AM A
COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR THE STOP
THE MONEY PIPELINE, WHICH IS AN
INTERNATIONAL GROUP COALITION
OF FOLKS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
WHO HAVE TAKEN TO ADDRESSING
THE FINANCIAL SECTOR AND THE
BANKS AND ASSET MANAGERS AND
INSURANCE COMPANIES, IN THEIR
ROLE OF FINANCING, FUNDING, AND
PROFITING OFF THE CLIMATE
CRISIS, AS WELL AS THE
COFOUNDER OF MAZASKA TALKS.
I AM A RESIDENT OF BEACON HILL
AND I WILL PASS IT OFF TO
RACHEL AND CHRIS TO INTRODUCE
THEMSELVES.
THEY CAN JUMP INTO THE
PRESENTATION.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.
MY NAME IS RACHEL HEATON AND I
AM A MEMBER OF THE MUCKLESHOOT
TRIBE AND A DESCENDENT OF -- I
WANT TO SAY HEARING THE
PRESENTATIONS THIS MORNING, YOU
KNOW, IT REALLY TIES IN EXACTLY
WITH WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MARGINALIZED
GROUPS ARE THE FIRST ONES
AFFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE.
WHEN WE HEAR STORIES LIKE THIS,
YOU HERE IT IS ALIVE AND WELL.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING US TODAY.
I AM ALSO PART OF THE COMMITTEE
FOR THE GREEN NEW DEAL BUT I AM
NOT HERE IN THAT CAPACITY
TODAY.
I AM HERE ALSO AS -- I'M HERE
AS THE COFOUNDER OF MAZASKA
TALKS WITH MATT REMLE AND IT
IS AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO HAVE
THIS TIME TO SPEAK ABOUT THESE
ISSUES AND MOVING OUR CITY
FORWARD.
THANK YOU.
I WILL GO AHEAD AND LET CHRIS
INTRODUCE THEMSELVES.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MATT AND
RACHEL.
TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TODAY,
IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR
US.
MY NAME IS CHRIS AND I AM
CURRENTLY THE GLOBAL ADVOCACY
MANAGER WITH WATERKEEPER
ALLIANCE, WHICH IS A GLOBAL
NONPROFIT WITH OVER 350
WATERSHED GROUPS AROUND THE
WORLD.
I STARTED HERE WITH A LOCAL
CHAPTER, WHICH IS A PUGET SOUND
KEEPER. I MANAGED THAT FOR NINE
YEARS.
I WORKED FOR THE ORGANIZATION
FOR A TOTAL OF 17 YEARS, WHICH
WAS DEFENDING CLEAN WATER IN
THE SEATTLE AREA.
WE ARE WORKING ON ALL THE
CLEANUP AND HOLDING PEOPLE
ACCOUNTABLE AND A NUMBER OF
TALK IT'S LIKE THAT.
CURRENTLY, I AM FORTUNATE
ENOUGH TO WORK AROUND THE WORLD
IN DIFFERENT AREAS LIKE NEPAL
AND CANADA.
I AM REALLY HAPPY TO HAVE THIS
OPPORTUNITY.
I WAS AT THE LOCAL CLIMATE
CONFERENCE IN GLASGOW IN
NOVEMBER AND THERE IS A REAL
NEED FOR STRONG -- THERE IS SO
MUCH TALK GOING ON BUT THERE
REALLY IS A NEED FOR ACTION.
I AM GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO BE
HERE TODAY.
THANK YOU.
>> WE SHOULD MENTION THAT ONE
MEMBER OF OUR TEAM -- THEY
COULD NOT BE HERE TODAY.
SHE OFFERS HER APOLOGIES.
WE WILL HAND IT BACK TO RACHEL.
RACHEL, YOU ARE ON MUTE.
>> SORRY, I WAS READING AWAY.
SO, TO START OFF, GLOBAL
LEADERSHIP IS NEEDED TO
ACCELERATE ADJUSTED TRANSITION
FROM EXTRACTIVE SYSTEM TO A
CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY THAT
RESPECTS INDIGENOUS RIGHTS.
THE PROBLEM?
THE CLIMATE CRISIS IS
INTENSIFYING AND WE ARE NOT
MOVING QUICKLY ENOUGH TO
PREVENT THE WORST IMPACTS.
UNPRECEDENTED DROUGHT IN
WESTERN U.S. RESERVOIRS ARE
RUNNING AT ALL-TIME LOWS IN
2021.
IDENTIFIED SUPER STORMS --
SEALEVEL RISE MADE MANY
DISPLACED.
AMERICAN WEST AND AUSTRALIA AND
ALASKA -- OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
AND CHANGING PRECIPITATION
PATTERNS UNRAVELED THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST ECOSYSTEM AND
INDICATED SALMON AND ORCA.
IT IS FURTHER IN PERIL.
STILL, BUSINESS AS USUAL -- IT
IS STILL BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR
A FOSSIL FUEL CANDIDATE.
THEY ARE LEADING EXPORTERS AND
PETROCHEMICALS.
NEW INFRASTRUCTURE CONTINUES TO
BE PROPOSED AND UNDER
CONSTRUCTION TO EXPAND GLOBAL
OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND FRONT-
LINE COMMUNITIES PAY THE
HIGHEST PRICE.
CURRENTLY, IF YOU HAVE BEEN
PAYING ATTENTION TO THE NORTH,
THAT IS ONE OF THE CURRENT ONES
GOING ON AT THIS TIME.
YOU CAN ACTUALLY -- YOU CAN SEE
TODAY THAT IMPACT TAKING PLACE
RIGHT NOW.
WE ARE LOSING OPPORTUNITY TO
HOLD THE CLIMATE CHANGE TO 1.5
DEGREES CELSIUS, ACCORDING TO
THE PARIS ACCORD.
LOCAL CONNECTIONS.
I HAVE HAD TO EVACUATE TWO
BLOCKS OF TRIBAL CITIZENS FROM
OUR HOME AND COURTHOUSE AND
COMMUNITY CENTER AND THE ONLY
STORE IN TOWN.
OUR FISHERIES ARE DECLINING AND
WE CAN POINT US TO CLIMATE
CHANGE.
THIS IS A QUOTE FROM THE
PRESIDENT AND CEO.
IT IS A HUGE ADVOCATE AS A
TRIBAL LEADER FOR ADDRESSING
THE CLIMATE CHANGE.
YOU CAN ALSO CHECK THEM OUT,
WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO ADDRESS
THIS ISSUE AS WELL GLOBALLY AND
ALSO FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
LOCALLY, TRENDS MOUNTAIN
PIPELINE EXPANSION -- IT IS
LARGER THAN KEYSTONE XL.
TAR SANDS ARE THE DIRTIEST OIL
ON EARTH.
THERE IS NO CLEAN TECHNOLOGY.
THERE IS A 70% INCREASE IN OIL
TANKERS AND SOME -- AS A NATIVE
FROM HERE, WE SEE THESE ISSUES
IN OUR ABILITIES TO FISH.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE ACCESS TO THE
WATERS THAT THE CITY OF SEATTLE
IS, RIGHT ON HERE, WHERE PEOPLE
ARE ALLOWED TO FISH BUT EVERY
YEAR WE SEE THESE NUMBERS
DECLINING AND AS A RESULT OF
THESE BARGES AND THINGS THAT
COME THROUGH, WE VISIBLY SEE
THAT PROBLEM.
THE LOCAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE
CHANGE, THERE IS DESTRUCTION OF
FIRST NATION TERRITORY AND
TREATY FISHING RIGHTS ARE AT
RISK.
ORCA AND SALMON RECOVERY
EFFORTS ARE IN QUESTION AND
CONTINUE TO BE.
LOCAL SHELLFISH INDUSTRY IS
THREATENED BY THIS AND
DESTRUCTION OF SEALEVEL
PROPERTIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
THEY BRING THAT NUMBER IN AT 13
BILLION.
CLIMATE LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY.
THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IS A KEY
LINCHPIN IN THE FIGHT AGAINST
FOSSIL FUELS.
PROJECTS LIKE PIPELINES, MINES,
ET CETERA, NEED INSURANCE TO
BUILD AND OPERATE.
INSURANCE COMPANIES PROVIDE
DIRECT INVESTMENT AND
UNDERWRITING.
DIVESTING FROM CLIMATE DAMAGING
PROJECTS IS THE BEST WAY TO
STOP A FOSSIL FUEL EXTENSION,
SHORT OF FEDERAL LIMITS.
GLOBAL COALITION TO ENSURE OUR
FUTURE.
THERE ARE CURRENTLY 35
COMPANIES WITH POLICIES.
SOME HAVE TAR SAND POLICY.
THERE IS A MAJOR RISK TO COAL
AND TO THE -- A MAJOR RISK TO
THE COAL AND TAR SANDS INDUSTRY
AND MENSA POLITIES IN FRANCE
AND SAN FRANCISCO AND COLORADO
AND LOS ANGELES AND
SUMMERSVILLE.
THIS JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT
THIS IS NOT JUST A NEED LOCALLY
BUT THIS IS A NEED NATIONALLY
AND GLOBALLY.
I WILL GO AHEAD AND PASS IT ON.
>> THOSE MUNICIPALITIES THAT
RACHEL LISTED, THOSE ARE ALL
PLACES THAT HAVE PASSED SIMILAR
LEGISLATION.
ONE THING WE ARE LOOKING TO DO
TODAY THAT WE WILL TALK OF OUT
AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION
-- CONTINUING ON WITH SOME OF
THE KEY DEMANDS -- INSURANCE
COMPANIES, THIS IS COMING NOT
JUST FROM PLACES LIKE THE CITY
AND COUNTY'S LISTED, BUT FROM
CLIMATE JUSTICE ACTIVISTS AND
MORE SPECIFICALLY FROM
INDIGENOUS TREATIES AND ONE OF
THOSE KEY DEMANDS IS INSURANCE
COMPANIES ENSURE INFORMED
CONSENT, THAT THERE IS
DOCUMENTED, DOCUMENTED
CONCERNED WITH IMPACTED TRIBAL
NATIONS.
BASICALLY, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
-- THE CITY OF SEATTLE MADE HIS
SUPPORT IN 2016 OF THE PIPELINE
FIGHT AGAINST CODE ACCESS.
IT WOULD ESSENTIALLY ENSURE THAT
PROJECT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED
BECAUSE THE COMPANY WOULD HAVE
HAD TO HAVE HAD GONE TO NOT
ONLY STUDY ROCK, BUT OTHER
IMPACTED TRIBAL NATIONS TO
ENGAGE IN THE PROCESS OF
CONSULTATION AND ULTIMATELY
RECEIVE CONSENT FOR THE
PROJECTS SUBMITTED.
HOW THAT PLAYS INTO INSURANCE
COMPANIES, AS WELL AS BANKS IS
WHAT WE ARE SEEING WITH THE
INSURANCE COMPANIES -- IF YOU
ARE GOING TO EITHER UNDERWRITE
OR INSURE OR GIVE LOANS TO
COMPANIES IN THAT CASE, ENERGY
TRANSFER PARTNERS, YOU NEED TO
OBTAIN DOCUMENTED PROOF THAT
YOU HAVE OBTAINED THE IMPACT
FROM TRIBAL NATIONS.
WE HAVE HAD -- I HAD
OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE
COUNCIL AND THEY ARE CRAFTING
RESOLUTIONS FOR AREAS.
THIS WAS A COUPLE YEARS BACK.
IT WAS CALLING FOR IT TO BE
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
IT IS CALLING ON THE U.S.
INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE
INDUSTRY TO ADOPT POLICIES TO
ENSURE THAT PROJECTS HAVE
OBTAINED CONSENT OF IMPACTED
NATIONS.
WE CONTINUE THAT WORK LOCALLY
WITH WASHINGTON STATE'S OFFICE
OF INSURANCE COMMISSIONER AND
LAST YEAR, HE CAME OUT, CALLING
ON COMPANIES THAT WORK HERE,
LIKE WASHINGTON STATE, TO
DEVELOP -- FURTHER, THEY NEED
TO ENFORCE, TO DETERMINE WHAT
RISK AND ENSURE THEY
UNDERWRITE.
I'M HOPING TO SEE LEGISLATION
ON THAT IN 2023.
GO AHEAD, NEXT SLIDE.
THE YOU AND HAS EVEN TAKEN UP
THE CALL FOR DIVESTMENT AND
THIS COMES FROM THE U.N.
SECRETARY GENERAL ANTONIO.
THE INSURANCE SECTOR HAS A KEY
ROLE TO PLAY IN EVERY CITY AND
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.
WE NEED TO ADOPT PLANS TO
TRANSITION FROM NET ZERO
EMISSIONS BY 2050.
A LOT OF US CLIMATE JUSTICE
FOLKS WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT
NUMBER MUCH LOWER THAN THAT,
MAYBE 20 FRIENDLY 2030.
NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.
SEATTLE HAS BEEN THE LEADER IN
THE FOREFRONT OF ADDRESSING THE
CLIMATE CRISIS.
THIS IS FROM SOMETHING THAT
TOOK PLACE LAST YEAR, DOWN AT
LIBERTY MUTUAL.
IT WAS A SOLIDARITY ACTION WITH
THE COMMUNITIES IN ALBERTA AND
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CALLING ON
FOLKS TO TAKE ACTION WITH THE
PIPELINE.
ONE OF THE UNIQUE THINGS WE
HAVE SEEN WITH THAT PARTICULAR
PIPELINE IS THE COMPANY WAS
LOSING SO MUCH MONEY FROM TRYING
TO BUILD THAT PIPELINE, DUE TO
INDIGENOUS RESISTANCE, AS WELL
AS DIVESTMENT EFFORTS, THAT
THEY ACTUALLY SOLD IT TO THE
CANADIAN GOVERNMENT, WHERE THEY
ARE PUTTING THE TAXPAYERS ON
THE HOOK FOR FRONTING THE BILL.
THE STRATEGY HAS SHIFTED TO
REALLY ADDRESSING INSURANCE
COMPANIES, TO NOT UNDERWRITE
THE PROJECT AND TODAY, SEVERAL
MAJOR INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE
COME OUT, STATING THEY WILL NOT
UNDERWRITE FOR THAT PIPELINE.
THEY HAVE HAD A SIGNIFICANT
IMPACT, POTENTIAL IMPACTS FOR
US IN SEATTLE, FOR THOSE OF US
ALONG THE PUGET SOUND.
LIKE RACHEL MENTIONED, WE WOULD
SEE A MASSIVE INCREASE IN OIL
TANKERS COMING THROUGH OUR
WATERS TO EXPORT TERMINALS AND
BRITISH COLUMBIA, AS WELL AS IN
THIS AREA.
THE GOVERNOR, AS WELL AS THE
20+ TRIBES HAVE ALL COME OUT.
GO AHEAD TO THE NEXT SLIDE AND
I WILL PASS IT TO CHRIS.
>> THANK YOU, MATT AND RACHEL.
WE HAVE A COUPLE SLIDES HERE
ABOUT SEATTLE AND THEIR
CONNECTION TO THE FOSSIL FUEL
INDUSTRY THROUGH HIS INSURANCE
PURCHASING.
WHAT YOU SEE HERE ARE THE
COMPANIES THAT ARE LISTED WITH
SEATTLE INSURERS ON A LOT OF
INSURANCE.
IN THEIR INSURANCE PROCUREMENT
POLICIES, THEY CAN SEND A
STRONG MESSAGE NOT ONLY TO THE
INSURERS AND ENCOURAGING THEM
TO DIVEST BUT TO OTHER INSURERS
AROUND THE WORLD AND EVENTUALLY
THE FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES THAT
WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH.
YOU CAN SEE THOSE COMPANIES.
SOME OF THEM ARE WELL KNOWN.
GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
THIS IS THE ANNUAL ENSURING OUR
FUTURE 2021 SCORECARD ON
INSURANCE COMPANIES WITH TIES
TO FOSSIL FUELS AND WHAT YOU
CAN SEE HERE IS THE COMPANIES
WITH THE HIGHEST RANKING ARE
THE ONES THAT HAVE THE MOST
PROGRESSIVE POLICIES AND THE
COMPANIES WITH THE LOWEST
RANKING ARE -- THESE ARE THE
LEADERS AND THE LAGGARDS.
THE LINK TO THIS REPORT IS IN
THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, SO IF YOU
WANT US TO PROVIDE THAT FOR
COUNCIL MEMBERS LATER, THAT
WOULD BE GREAT.
THE BIGGEST TAKE AWAY IS YOU
CAN NOTICE THE U.S. INSURERS
ARE ALL GROUPS TOWARDS THE
BOTTOM.
EUROPE IS LEADING THE WAY.
ASIA INSURERS ARE BEGRUDGINGLY
MOVING IN THIS DIRECTION.
THE U.S. INSURERS ARE BARELY
BUDGING AT ALL.
THIS IS WHERE INSURANCE
POLICIES WITHIN THE U.S. CAN
REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
GO AHEAD WITH THE NEXT SLIDE.
AND THEN THERE IS ALSO WALL
STREET INVESTMENT BANKS AND
THEIR ROLE.
WHEN PEOPLE THINK OF
DIVESTMENT, THEY OFTEN THINK OF
BANKING WALLS AND WHETHER BANKS
ARE INVESTING IN FOSSIL FUEL
PROJECTS.
THE THING ABOUT BANKING IS
THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER BANK
BUT WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES,
THERE IS A LIMITED NUMBER OF
THEM AND EVEN A SMALLER NUMBER
OF REINSURANCE COMPANIES.
WHAT HAPPENS OFTEN WHEN
INSURANCE COMPANIES SELL AN
INSURANCE POLICY, THEY THEN GET
PART OF THAT POLICY INSURED
THROUGH A REINSURER.
THIS IS NOT ONLY LOOKING AT THE
PRIMARY INSURANCE COMPANIES BUT
ALSO THE REINSURERS.
AS RACHEL INDICATED, THERE ARE
35 INSTITUTIONS AROUND THE
WORLD THAT HAVE BEEN DIVESTING
FROM COAL PROJECTS AND 14 ARE
RELATED TO TAR SANDS.
SADLY, MANY OF THEM ARE NOT
LOCATED IN THE U.S. WE WILL
CONTINUE TO PRESSURE THE BANKS
AND THE ASSET MANAGERS AND
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALIZE
INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE NOT
JUST UNDERWRITING FOSSIL FUEL.
THEY ARE INVESTING IN THEM AS
WELL.
LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE, WHICH
WE ALL SEE EVERY TIME YOU TURN
ON THE TV, YOU CANNOT GET AWAY
FROM THEM.
THEY ACTUALLY OWN A COAL MINE
IN AUSTRALIA.
THEY ARE STRAIGHT UP A FOSSIL
FUEL COMPANY.
THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO
REALLY SEND THEM A MESSAGE.
GO AHEAD TO THE NEXT SLIDE,
PLEASE.
THIS IS A REPORT ON THE BANKING
ASPECTS OF THE FOSSIL FUEL.
THIS IS ANOTHER REPORT, WHICH
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD RIGHT HERE.
THESE ARE THE TOP BANKING
COMPANIES THAT ARE INVESTING IN
THE CLIMATE CRISIS.
YOU CAN SEE THEY NOT ONLY LEAD
BUT THEY ACTUALLY LEAVE THE
FIELD BY 33%.
THEY ARE FAR AND AWAY THE
BIGGEST BANKING COMPANY THAT IS
INVESTING IN THE FOSSIL FUEL
CRISIS.
I THINK THE TOP COMPANIES ARE
3.8 TRILLION INVESTED IN FOSSIL
FUELS, IN A TIME PERIOD OF 2016
TO 2020.
THERE IS ALSO A LOT OF TALK OF
NET ZERO, IN BANKS THAT HAVE
NET ZERO POLICIES.
THERE IS A NET ZERO INSURANCE
ALLIANCE.
THE PROBLEM WITH NET ZERO IS
THEY JUST ADOPTED THE PLEASURES.
THEY DO NOT DO ANYTHING.
NOBODY SHOULD BE TAKEN
SERIOUSLY ON A NET ZERO PLEDGE
BY 2050 UNLESS THEY HAVE GOT
POLICIES IN PLACE IN 2022.
WE NEED TO BE NET ZERO -- 2015
2050 IS WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE TO
HOLD CLIMATE CHANGE AS CLOSE AS
POSSIBLE TO 1.5 DEGREES
CELSIUS.
IT IS NOT A TARGET FOR
INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES.
INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES SHOULD BE
FAR AHEAD.
THE ONLY WAY THIS IS GOING TO
WORK IS IF WE CAN GET THE
ENTIRE PLANET TO NET ZERO BY
2050.
REALLY, WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE
IS REPORTS ARE COMING OUT, WE
ARE LOOKING AT A TRACK RIGHT
NOW FOR 2 TO 3 FEET OF SEA
LEVEL RISE BY THE END OF THE
CENTURY.
IF WE THINK ABOUT WHAT THAT
MEANS FOR SEATTLE, WHAT IS THE
TREATMENT PLANT LOOK LIKE WITH
THREE FEET OF SEA LEVEL RISE?
WHAT DOES THE ENTRY TO THE
HIGHWAY 99 TUNNEL LOOK LIKE?
WHAT DO THE NEIGHBORHOODS ALONG
THE RIVER LOOK LIKE WITH THREE
FEET OF SEA LEVEL RISE?
THAT IS REALLY THE AVERAGE OF
WHAT IS PREDICTED.
WE ARE STILL INCREASING FOSSIL
FUEL USE EVERY YEAR AND THERE
WAS A BRIEF DIP IN 2020 BECAUSE
OF THE PANDEMIC BUT IT IS
ALREADY BACKUP.
AND WE NEED TO REDUCE FOSSIL
FUELS, PARTICULARLY METHANE
DRASTICALLY.
THEY NEED TO BEGIN IN THIS
DECADE.
ONCE WE TRIGGER SEA LEVEL RISE
OF 4 TO 6 FEET, WHICH IS
POSSIBLE, IT CANNOT BE
REVERSED.
IT WILL HAPPEN.
MANY FOOD SYSTEMS AND HOUSING
SYSTEMS WILL JUST BE INUNDATED
IN THE LIFETIME OF PEOPLE THAT
ARE ALIVE TODAY.
THIS IS VERY SERIOUS ISSUES.
LET'S GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
SO, LOCAL EFFORTS FOR
DIVESTMENT REALLY DO WORK.
OVER 40 TRILLION DIVESTED FROM
FOSSIL FUELS AND THIS ACTUALLY
MAKES RENEWABLES MUCH MORE
COMPETITIVE AND IT ALSO -- IT
IS A WAY TO SHOW LEADERSHIP AND
CONNECT TO PEOPLE WITH THE
GLOBAL CLIMATE.
THERE IS A QUOTE FROM YES
MAGAZINE ON SUPPORTING
TRILLIONS DIVESTED FROM FOSSIL
FUELS.
THIS MOVEMENT IS GROWING AND IT
IS A WAY THAT WE CAN LET PEOPLE
KNOW THAT THESE PROJECTS THAT
ARE LITERALLY DESTROYING THE
EARTH AND, IN PARTICULAR
FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES AND
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES ARE NO
LONGER WORTHY OF INVESTMENT.
NEXT SLIDE.
I THINK THIS IS LEADING BACK TO
RACHEL.
>> SORRY.
I HIT THE MUTE BUTTON.
THANK YOU, CHRIS AND MATT.
SPEAKING ON THE LOCAL
DIVESTMENT, YOU KNOW,
DIVESTMENT EFFORTS, SEATTLE
BEING THE FIRST CITY -- THE
CODE OF AXIS PIPELINE IS WHERE
A LOT OF THIS STARTED FOR SOME
OF US.
LATER, THE CITY, YOU GUYS,
THANK YOU, YOU PASSED A
RESOLUTION WHERE THEY WOULD NOT
BANK WITH ANY BANK THAT IS
FUNDING THE KEYSTONE XL
PIPELINE AND WE HAVE SEEN THE
SUCCESS WITH THIS.
THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER BANK,
AS WAS SAID BEFORE, THAT IS
BACKING UP THE FUNDING OF THE
FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY.
THEY ARE SEEING A LIMITED
NUMBER.
THESE ARE TACTICS THEY ARE ABLE
TO USE TO ADDRESS THIS, AMONGST
OTHER ISSUES WHEN WE TALK ABOUT
INDIGENOUS RIGHTS AS WELL.
THEY NEED TO DO MORE THAN VOTE
WITH OUR DOLLARS.
WILL THEY -- FROM OTHER CITIES
THAT ARE DOING SIMILAR WORK
LIKE SAN FRANCISCO AND LOS
ANGELES?
THE CITY OF SEATTLE HAS THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THE
INDUSTRY -- PROTECT OUR CITY
INTEREST AND STAND IN
SOLIDARITY WITH FIRST NATIONS
AND FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES.
>> THERE -- WHAT CAN LEADERSHIP
DO?
THIS IS WHAT WE ARE HOPING FOR
AND WITH KSHAMA SAWANT -- WHICH
HE ALLUDED TO , WE WANT TO PASS
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO
FINANCIAL SERVICES -- WE
REQUEST A PROPOSAL PROCESS FOR
FOSSIL FUEL INVESTMENTS AND
THEIR ADHERENCE -- GO AHEAD,
NEXT SLIDE.
>> THE OTHER THING ABOUT THIS
IS WE DO NOT WANT THIS TO BE
TOO ONEROUS ON THE CITY.
WE WANT THEM TO CONDUCT THEIR
BUSINESS.
WE FEEL WE HAVE THIS
CONSTRUCTED IN A WAY THAT IS
FLEXIBLE FOR THE CITY AND DOES
CREATE -- BUT IT ALSO PROTECTS
THE CITY'S INTEREST.
IT WOULD REQUIRE A PREFERENCE
TO DO BUSINESS WITH COMPANIES
THAT ARE NOT INVESTING IN OR
PROVIDING UNDERWRITING FOR
FOSSIL FUEL PROJECTS.
A LOT OF THAT INFORMATION IS
VERY EASILY OBTAINED BUT THERE
IS ALSO A DUDE DILIGENCE FOR
PROCUREMENT POLICIES TO VERIFY
THIS DIVESTMENT.
IT DOES ALLOW SOME FLEXIBILITY
FOR THE CITY WITH NO OTHER
OPTIONS EXISTING.
THE CITY NEEDS TO HAVE
INSURANCE.
THIS IS ALL ABOUT APPLYING THIS
PRESSURE BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE
TOO ONEROUS FOR THE CITY.
IT WILL ALSO ALLOW TO
PRIORITIZE CONTRACTS WITH
COMPANIES WITH A STRONG FOSSIL
FUEL PHASE OUT.
WE ALSO PLEDGE TO HELP THE CITY
AS THEY DEVELOP POLICIES AND
WORK WITH YOU.
THERE IS LOTS OF INFORMATION
OUT THERE AS FAR AS THE
DIVESTMENT.
IT SHOULD NOT BE TOO ONEROUS.
>> THANK YOU MATT AND RACHEL
AND CHRIS FOR THAT
PRESENTATION.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.
OF COURSE, I WELCOME QUESTIONS
OR COMMENTS FROM ALL COMMITTEE
MEMBERS.
MATT AND RACHEL, YOUR VOTE ON
THE OVERSIGHT BOARD -- THEY
WILL BE MEETING ON THE 24th AND
YOU WILL BE DISCUSSING THE
LEGISLATION.
ONE QUESTION I HAVE IS WHAT
HAVE YOU HEARD FROM OTHER BOARD
MEMBERS ABOUT WHAT THEY THINK
THE POTENTIAL OF THIS IS?
THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE
CITY.
THE IMPACT IS MUCH MORE BECAUSE
IT IS ALSO THE QUESTION OF THE
DYNAMIC IT CREATES BY
SUCCESSFULLY LETTING A
CORPORATION NO WE WILL NOT LET
YOU DO THIS.
IF YOU COULD SHARE THAT, THAT
WOULD BE GREAT.
ALSO, YOU TALKED ABOUT LOS
ANGELES.
I AM NOT CLEAR.
ARE THEY PUSHING FOR
LEGISLATION?
WHAT IS THE EXPERIENCE LIKE?
>> THEY HAVE PASSED AN
ORDINANCE.
PARIS, FRANCE, WAS THE FIRST
MUNICIPALITY, FOLLOWED BY SAN
FRANCISCO, LOS ANGELES,
SOMERSET, AND BOULDER COUNTY,
COLORADO.
I THINK I AM FORGETTING ONE.
YOU KNOW, THOSE -- AT LEAST
SOME OF THOSE, MOST OF THOSE
ARE FAIRLY ASPIRATIONAL.
THEY DID NOT HAVE THE WEIGHT OF
AN ORDINATES.
WHILE IT IS TOO LATE --
>> THEY ALSO HAVE A RESOLUTION?
>> I AM NOT INTIMATELY FAMILIAR
BUT I DO BELIEVE SO BECAUSE
THEY WERE THE FIRST.
IT CERTAINLY GIVES
OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP OF
THESE MUNICIPALITIES TO MOVE
FORWARD WITH RIGOROUS
VERIFICATION PROCESSES BUT THEY
DO NOT NECESSARILY REQUIRE THEM
TO.
AS -- WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IS
REGULATIONS ARE NOT REALLY
REGULATIONS UNLESS THERE IS
SOME SORT OF ACCOUNTABILITY
BELTED IN.
I THINK NOT ONLY IS THIS AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR -- SEATTLE
CANNOT BE FIRST WITH THIS BUT
WE CAN BE THE STRONGEST.
WE CAN ALSO SET THE BAR FOR
WHAT FUTURE POLICIES WILL BE
LIKE FROM OTHER MUNICIPALITIES.
>> THANK YOU, CHRIS.
I WILL TAKE THE FIRST QUESTION.
úAGAIN, REITERATING THAT WE ARE
ON THE BOARD.
WE ARE NOT SPEAKING ON BEHALF
OF THE BOARD THOUGH.
WE HAVE HEARD QUITE A BIT OF
FEEDBACK FROM OUR FELLOW
COLLEAGUES WHO SIT ON THE BOARD
AND WE ARE REPEATEDLY HEARING
THAT THIS IS NEEDED AND
ESSENTIAL AND THAT IT ALIGNS
THE CITY'S GOALS TO PASS THE
GREEN NEW DEAL RESOLUTION AND
ORDINANCE FROM A COUPLE YEARS
BACK, TO PUT THE CITY ON A PATH
TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS
EMISSIONS.
WE ARE IN TOTAL ALIGNMENT, THAT
WE CAN SORT OF PICK AND CHOOSE
AREAS OF ADDRESSING THE CLIMATE
CRISIS WITHOUT LOOKING AT, YOU
KNOW, ALL PIECES.
WITH THE FINANCIAL SECTOR BEING
THE LARGEST, LIKE CHRIS WAS
MENTIONING, THIS IS A GREAT
OPPORTUNITY FOR SEATTLE TO
REALLY PUT OUT THE STRONGEST
AND TO UTILIZE THE GREEN NEW
DEAL OVERSIGHT BOARD AND REALLY
EMPOWERING THEM TO -- WE WILL
GO TO THIS COMING MONDAY.
WE WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR THE
CONVERSATIONS.
>> RACHEL, DID YOU HAVE
ANYTHING ELSE?
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY IT JUST
GOES TO SHOW HOW MANY OF THESE
ISSUES ARE INTERSECTIONAL, JUST
LIKE WE WERE LISTENING TO THE
PRESENTATION THIS MORNING, VERY
MUCH ALONG THE LINES OF WHAT WE
ARE TALKING ABOUT IS NOT JUST,
YOU KNOW, IT IS POLICY AND
FINANCIAL IMPACT AS WELL.
I THINK AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW
INTERSECTIONAL EACH PIECE OF
THIS IS AND BEING ABLE TO
CAPTURE THESE DIFFERENT AREAS
IS SUPER IMPORTANT.
I THINK CHRIS AND MATT BOTH
CAPTURED THAT WELL.
YEAH, I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW,
RECOGNIZING HOW IMPERATIVE THIS
IS AND THE DIFFERENT TOPICS
THAT WE HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO,
YOU KNOW, THIS IS VERY MUCH IN
LINE WITH THOSE CONCERNS.
I THINK THIS IS JUST ANOTHER
AVENUE FOR US, YOU KNOW, WHERE
WE HAVE TO COVER, YOU KNOW, ALL
OF OUR BASIS.
JUST FOCUSING ON BANKS IS NOT
GOING TO SOLVE THE DIVESTMENT
ISSUE.
WE ALSO HAVE THESE OTHER
AVENUES WITH INSURANCE COMPANY
AND POLICIES.
IT IS HUGE, WHILE ADDRESSING
INDIGENOUS RIGHTS AND THINGS AS
WELL.
I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT
FOR YEARS.
>> I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU
BRINGING THAT.
THAT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
I APPRECIATE RACHEL,
SPECIFICALLY, YOU CONNECTING
THIS DISCUSSION ON CLIMATE
CHANGE TO THE PREVIOUS
DISCUSSION WE HAD ON INCREDIBLE
STRUGGLES THAT NATIVES ARE
HAVING WITH THE LANDLORDS.
LOW INCOME PEOPLE OF COLOR
COMMUNITIES ARE AMONG THE MOST
AFFECTED AND CLIMATE CHANGE, WE
ALL SHOULD BE -- IT IS
REVEALING THE ALARM BELLS. THEY
ARE FACING SOME OF THE WORST
AFFECTS ALREADY.
>> A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
COULD YOU MENTIONED THE EXAMPLE
OF THE STRAIGHT UP FOSSIL FUEL
COMPANIES AND NOT JUST
UNDERWRITING THE INVESTMENT?
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF THE
UNDERWRITING AND WHY IS THIS --
WHY IS THIS A BIGGER INDICATOR
THAT THESE CORPORATIONS ARE
JUST EVERY BIT AS CULPABLE AS A
STRAIGHT UP FOSSIL FUEL
COMPANIES FOR THE DAMAGE WE ARE
SEEING DONE?
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
THE INTERESTING ORIGIN OF THE
WORD UNDERWRITING STARTED IN
LONDON, WHICH WAS A CAFE IN
LONDON AND THESE VOYAGES WERE
GOING ACROSS THE SEA AND THEY
NEEDED INSURANCE AND THEY WOULD
PASS THESE THINGS AROUND THE
CAFE AND WHOEVER WANTED
INSURANCE SIGNED THEIR NAME
UNDERNEATH THE SHIP'S NAME AND
THEY WERE THE UNDERWRITER.
THAT IS HOW THE ORIGIN OF THE
NAME CAME ABOUT.
UNDERWRITING BASICALLY MEANS
INSURING, PROVIDING INSURANCE
SHOULD THERE BE LOSSES TO THE
COMPANY, WHEREAS INVESTING
MEANS ACTUALLY PROACTIVELY
GIVING DOLLARS TO ALLOW THE
PROJECT TO PROCEED.
AND TURNED COMPANIES, THEY ARE
REALLY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
AND THEY TAKE THE INSURANCE
PREMIUMS AND THEY HOLD ONTO
THOSE AGAINST THE FUTURE LOSSES
AND WHILE THEY ARE HOLDING ONTO
THAT, THEY INVEST THOSE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF MONEY THAT
THEY CONTROL.
IT IS TWOFOLD.
THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY
UNDERWRITING THESE FOSSIL FUEL
PROJECTS AND SIMULTANEOUSLY
INVESTING IN THEM AS WELL.
AND THEN THEY ENSURE THE FUTURE
SCORECARD -- IT RAISED BOTH OF
THOSE BUT ALSO HAS A RATING FOR
CLIMATE LEADERSHIP, WHICH
INCLUDES THINGS LIKE RESPECTING
THE DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS
OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND
INFORMED CONSENT AND OTHER
FORMS OF CLIMATE LEADERSHIP.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.
I'M NOT SEEING ANY HANDS GOING
UP.
I WANT TO SHARE SOME
CONNECTIONS.
THEY WILL TRY TO LOG OFF AND
LOG BACK ON.
JUST ONE MY QUESTION.
IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS
-- DID YOU ATTEND LAST YEAR'S
CLIMATE SUMMIT?
WHAT IS YOUR ASSESSMENT OF THE
RESULT OF THE SUMMIT, WHICH
ESSENTIALLY REPRESENTS THE
POWERS OF THE CAPITALIST WORLD?
THEY NOT ONLY FAILED TO MAKE
ANY CONCRETE CHANGES AND THEY
ALSO FAILED TO EVEN HAVE ANY
USEFUL GOALS.
IN THE LAST DAY, THEY WALKED
BACK THE GOAL.
I WANTED TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAD
TO SAY.
>> BELIEVE IT OR NOT, EVEN
THOUGH IT IS VERY EASY TO
CONSIDER IT A FAILURE, IT WAS
THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL
AGREEMENT THAT EVEN MENTIONED
PHASING DOWN FOSSIL FUELS.
IT WAS SOMETHING THAT CAME OUT
OF GLASCO.
IT WAS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH AND IT
WAS REALLY TRAGIC TO SEE JUST
IN THE FINAL DAYS HOW PHASING
OUT COAL, THAT CHANGED TO
PHASING DOWN UNABATED COAL
POWER AND UNSUSTAINABLE FOSSIL
FUEL INVESTMENT, AS IF THERE IS
A SUSTAINABLE FOSSIL FUEL
INVESTMENT.
THAT IS HOW THE WRITING GOT PUT
ON THERE.
EVENTUALLY, COUNTRIES ARE
REQUIRED TO ADOPT FOSSIL FUEL
REDUCTION POLICIES UNDER THE
PARIS AGREEMENT AND TO MAKE
THOSE REAL.
LAST YEAR IN GLASCO, IT WAS THE
FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY
MAKE THOSE REAL AND IT JUST
BECAME EVIDENT THAT THERE IS SO
MUCH FURTHER TO GO.
THE BIGGEST POINT, HE KIND OF
TOUCHED ON IT, THE DISCONNECT
FROM THE STREET TO THE PEOPLE
INSIDE.
WE WERE GOING BACK AND FORTH
BETWEEN PEOPLE IN THE STREET
WANTING TO SEE CONCRETE ACTION
AND WANT TO SEE IT NOW AND THE
PEOPLE INSIDE, TALKING ABOUT
CARBON TRADING AND WAYS TO
PROFIT OFF THE CLIMATE CRISIS
AND, IN MANY CASES, SELLING
INDIGENOUS LANDS TO BIOFUEL
FARMS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, SO
THEY CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE MONEY
OFF THE FOSSIL FUEL CRISIS.
IT IS REALLY TRAGIC TO SEE THE
THINGS THAT ARE UNFOLDING.
>> THANK YOU FOR EXPANDING ON
THAT.
IT IS REALLY UNDERSCORING THE
FACT THAT WE ARE GOING TO NEED
GRASSROOTS IF WE ARE GOING TO
GET ANYTHING DONE.
THE CHASM BETWEEN THE PEOPLE ON
THE STREETS AND WHAT THE POWERS
THAT BE ARE DISCUSSING -- IT IS
STUNNING.
I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE
WORK, NOT ONLY YOU ARE DOING ON
THIS BUT ALSO ALL THE WORK YOU
HAVE DONE FOR YEARS.
IT IS JUST INDISPENSABLE FOR US
TO HAVE ANYTHING BE DONE FOR
ACTIVISTS.
I DO NOT SEE ANY QUESTIONS
COMING UP FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I AM ABOUT TO CLOSE THE MEETING
UNLESS THERE ARE ANY FINAL
COMMENTS.
WE WILL FOLLOW UP ON
COMMUNICATION.
I ALSO WANTED TO ASK COMMUNITY
MEMBERS IF YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS OR -- WHATEVER IT IS,
LET'S DO THAT NOW.
LET'S MAKE SURE WE ARE IN TOUCH
ABOUT THAT.
WE WILL, OF COURSE -- WE WILL
TALK ABOUT THE NEXT TIME.
I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYONE.
IT HAS BEEN A LONG MEETING BUT
I APPRECIATE EVERYONE BEING
HERE.
I THINK WE HEARD FROM SOME
IMPORTANT PEOPLE AND AGENDA
ITEMS.
ARE THERE NO FURTHER COMMENTS?
>> I THINK ALL OF YOU.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> YES, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU ALL.
THANK YOU PRESENTERS AND WE
WILL BE IN TOUCH SOON.
TAKE CARE, GOODBYE.