SPOKANE RIGHT TO COOLING ORDINANCE: AN UPDATE

A lot has happened since our July update on Spokane's Renters' Right to Cooling ordinance (ORD C36877).

The ordinance had its first reading before the Spokane City Council on June 22. RHAWA was there in full force. Our Government Affairs Director, RHAWA Regents, RHAWA staff, RHAWA members, and our partners in the Spokane Real Estate Coalition provided ample testimony against the ordinance as written and the unintended consequences it would pose to the community.

Since that reading, the RHAWA Government Affairs team and our Executive Director have met with several council members and the City Council President to discuss the ordinance at length. Those conversations have covered possible amendments and other solutions, including directing House Bill 1590 affordable housing sales tax dollars toward cooling measures. Our hope is that these discussions lead to a reworking of the ordinance around what is actually possible.

The ordinance is not done. The amendments accepted so far have already changed it substantially, and more changes are on the horizon. As of this writing in early July, the ordinance is scheduled for a final vote on July 15. However, we believe the amendments that have yet to be fully introduced or voted on may push the final vote into August. Under city charter rules, an amended ordinance must be delayed two weeks before final action, so each new amendment restarts that clock.

Adding to the moving pieces, new council rules also take effect on Wednesday, July 15. City Council is shifting from Monday night meetings, with council briefing at noon on Mondays, to council briefing on Tuesdays, a streamlined agenda, and council meetings on Wednesdays.

With so much still in play, and with pushback coming from RHAWA, our members, the Spokane Real Estate Coalition, affordable housing providers, and other community members, we cannot say with certainty what will happen next. What we can say is that the ordinance, as originally written, will almost certainly change substantially. By the time you read this, it may have passed. It may not have.

What has made the difference is showing up. Staying vigilant, building relationships across our industry and our community, staying reasonable and data-driven, and coming to the table as problem solvers have all moved this ordinance in a better direction. It is worth noting that if RHAWA had not deployed its resources, staff, and leadership quickly, this ordinance likely would have passed with little fanfare. The way a small seed can grow into a mighty tree, a seemingly innocuous piece of legislation can grow into something that undermines a city's ability to solve housing affordability and sustainability.

Thank you to our Eastern WA members for being willing to answer the call. We deeply appreciate your support and we will continue to keep you informed.