OLYMPIA…Today, majority Democrats in the Washington State Senate passed a misguided rent-control bill they claim will address the state’s critical shortage of affordable housing. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, voted against House Bill 1217, as did his Republican colleagues.
Braun shared this reaction to the vote:
“We all agree that rents across our state can be unaffordable, and that’s a big problem. Where we don’t agree is on the solution. Today, Senate Democrats pushed through a rent-control bill that will do more harm than good – like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
“We should be passing legislation to remove barriers to increasing the supply of housing – faster permitting, public-private partnerships, and smart zoning reforms – instead of a bill like this, which gives property owners more reasons to abandon the rental market. We should also address rising property taxes and utility costs, but majority Democrats are too busy this year pursuing higher gas taxes and the largest property-tax increase in state history.
“Rent control is a failed policy with a long track record of reducing housing supply, discouraging new construction, and ultimately making it harder for families to find quality, affordable homes. Instead of working with us on bipartisan, evidence-based solutions that would expand housing options, lower costs, and protect tenants without punishing small property owners, Democrats chose to double down on a one-size-fits-all mandate that will fail. If they also pass the bill to remove the annual cap on property-tax rate increases, they are likely condemning more people to homelessness.
“Over time, areas with rent control see more evictions, fewer housing options for lower-income families, and a drop in new construction, exacerbating the problem this policy purports to solve. In areas with more new-home construction, rents go down. Rent control may sound good in a press release or a speech to a special-interest group, but it only treats the symptoms of our housing crisis while ignoring the cause.”
Rent Control Facts:
- In areas marked by increased home and apartment construction, median rent has declined. In Austin, Texas, rents have declined 13% since 2022. (Redfin, Feb. 10, 2025)
- Areas with little new construction saw rents rise, including the metros around Cleveland, Milwaukee and Providence. (Redfin, Feb. 10, 2025)