Tacoma voters back Safe Homes for All measure adding rental licensing and landlord penalties

Early returns showed more than 59% of Tacoma, Washington, voters supporting Initiative Measure 1, known as Safe Homes for All, KOMO News reported on Nov. 4. The measure creates a rental licensing system funded by per-unit fees, raises penalties for violations of tenant protection laws, creates a public database of landlords and rent increases, and requires landlords to negotiate in good faith with tenant unions. Large landlords and repeat offenders would have 18 months to comply and others three years. The Rental Housing Association of Washington opposed the measure, and the city manager estimated enforcement and legal costs of $8 million to $10 million a year, a figure supporters dispute.