Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises

Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.

1 minute read

April 23, 2024, 12:00 PM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


View of downtown Seattle with Space Needle and mountains in background

ryancslimakphoto / Adobe Stock

In a report for The Seattle Times, Greg Kim highlights the growing crisis facing nonprofit operators of low-income housing in Seattle and around the country. According to Kim, unpaid rent debt in the Seattle area totals roughly $170 million. “The Seattle Housing Authority, a public housing agency, saw a threefold increase in tenants with overdue rent over the last four years, going from 554 tenants at the start of 2019 to 1,784 at the beginning of this year. Currently, about 23% of tenants are behind on rent.”

Now, housing providers face the decision to evict non-paying tenants so that they can continue providing services. “Many housing providers say the amount of overdue rent has grown dramatically since before the pandemic and is hurting their ability to maintain and build more affordable housing in a region and nation that is starved for it.” 

Kim explains that the pandemic hit low-income renters hard in multiple ways. In addition to losing jobs and income, many tenants saw their rent spike in housing where rent costs are tied to median income. “In Seattle and King County, the median income spiked during the pandemic due to ‘very high wage earners skewing the top,’ said Nona Raybern, communications manager at Seattle’s Office of Housing. That resulted in maximum rents increasing by about 36% in the last five years.”

Monday, April 22, 2024 in The Seattle Times

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

Graphic with blue background, flags, and text reading 2024 Presidential Election

Where 2024 Presidential Candidates Stand on 12 Issues Important to Urban Planners

Whether you’re yet undecided or have already cast your early vote, here is a roundup of the key positions of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on important urban planning policies.

October 31, 2024 - Planetizen

Modular housing under construction with worker guiding crane.

Commentary: New Bill Holds Key to Solving US Housing Crisis. We Just Have to Pass It.

Two bills currently moving through Congress could make mass production of prefabricated, affordable housing possible on a large scale.

October 29, 2024 - Jordan Rogove

Gaslamp Quarter

America’s 10 ‘Greenest’ Cities

A new analysis ranks cities based on their environmental quality, energy consumption and production, transportation, density, and other factors.

October 28, 2024 - The Street

Group of children with backpacks and bike helmets going to school.

How Seattle Achieved Safe Routes to School Goal

SDOT has installed safety improvements at more than 260 public schools since 2015.

6 hours ago - Office of Mayor Bruce Harrell

Parked cars in floodwater with two-story apartments or homes in background in Florida after hurricane.

Auto Insurance Rates Spike Due to Extreme Weather

Car insurance costs around the country are going up as insurers receive more claims from areas struck by storms and other climate disasters.

7 hours ago - Grist

Small mountain lake with snow-capped mountains in background in Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in California.

California Approves $10 Billion Bond for Water, Clean Energy, and Environmental Projects

Funds will be used to support water, wildfire prevention, environmental, and park projects, reflecting strong public support for climate resilience.

November 7 - Los Angeles Times