01/20/05
Welcome in the New Year by standing up for Tenants’ Rights
Help Build the Movement for Tenants Rights: Join the Tenants Union!
Washington State tenants have won important legal protections, but these rights don't go far enough. Help build the movement to protect and expand tenants rights and make the promise of safe, healthy, affordable housing a reality: 
You can take action today to support the passage of important Washington State legislation that will require slumlords to pay for the moving costs of tenants who are forced to relocate due to the landlord’s neglect.
Contact your State Reps and State Senators and tell them to stand up for Tenant Relocation Assistance.
Our bill in the House has the number HB 1583. It has been sponsored by Reps. Hunt, Upthegrove, Williams, McDermott, and Cody.
The companion bill in the Senate has the number SB 5577. It has been sponsored by Sens. Fairley, Keiser, Kline, Frasier, and Paulsen.
Sample Message to your elected officials:
You can reach your State Legislators by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-560-6000. Let them know you support the Relocation Legislation. If your Senators or Representatives have already endorsed the legislation, thank them for their committment to tenants. If they have not yet signed on, encourage them to do so.
I am calling to ask my Senator/Representative to support the Tenant Relocation Assistance legislation—House Bill 1538 and Senate Bill 5577. This is very important legislation that will have a strong and positive impact on Washington tenants and will encourage Washington’s slumlords to keep their housing in better condition. It will mean less homelessness and better housing. Please take action to support it.
Don’t know who your Reps or Senators are?
Call the Washington State Legislative Hotline to both find out who your reps are and to leave them a message at 1-800-562-6000 (TTY: 1-800-635-9993) or click here to visit the State Legislature’s online district finder
Attend Housing Advocacy Day on Thursday, February 3 from 9:00 -3:00 in Olympia.
Housing Advocacy Day provides tenants with training on how to lobby your legislators, and offers background information on legislation important to tenants. It is organized by the Washington State Low-Income Housing Alliance. Tenants who have attended in the past have found it to be very empowering and educational. You can find out more about HAD and download the registration form from their website at: www.WLIHN.org or by calling Michele at the Tenants Union: 206-722-6848, x114.
Volunteer with the Tenants Union to support this legislation.
The Tenants Union is working in collaboration with several other non-profit organizations to get this legislation passed! You can support this work in a variety of ways:
Help us document bad housing conditions across the State:
The documentation of bad housing conditions will help us make the case for this legislation. If you live outside of King and Thurston Counties and know about housing that has been shut-down or condemned, please call us to give us the details. Also, if you know of or live in housing that is in very bad condition, but hasn’t been shut down, please also let us know.
Attend a hearing in Olympia:
If you have experienced your housing being condemned or shut-down, it could be very helpful for you to present your story at a House or Senate hearing. If you have a personal story that you would like to share please contact Michele at the Tenants Union: 206-722-6848, x114.
Volunteer in the office to support this work:
We have a variety of ongoing volunteer opportunities to support this legislation. Tenants outside of King and Thurston Counties can call us at 1-800-556-9926.