Rent control

House Bill 1217 proposes so-called "rent stabilization," but make no mistake—it’s just rent control with a fancy name. History and economics show that rent control policies backfire, hurting the people they claim to help. Instead of reducing costs, these policies lead to higher rents, fewer available units, and worsening homelessness.

HB 1217 would:

• Trigger Rent Hikes: Landlords would be forced to raise rents to the legal maximum each year, even when smaller increases would have been enough.
• Shrink Housing Supply: By discouraging new construction and investment, rent control reduces available rentals, driving up prices and hurting low-income renters the most.
• Worsen the Housing Crisis: Washington already faces a housing shortage. HB 1217 would push developers out of the state, making the problem worse.
• Increase Homelessness: Fewer rental options will push more people into homelessness, deepening an already severe crisis.

Washington has wisely banned rent control since 1981 because it doesn’t work.

Similar policies in other states have led to fewer building permits and reduced rental availability, making housing even harder to find.

HB 1217 will only worsen the housing problems in Washington, making it harder for families to find affordable homes. Instead of policies that drive up costs and shrink supply, we should focus on real solutions that expand housing and lower costs.