Caitlyn McKenney reacts to data shared by the Mayor of Normandy Park WA that shows the role of addiction and mental illness in homelessness. This data should inform policymakers in Washington as they consider a bill that would make it easier to sue cities for restricting public camping.
In this short video, Caitlyn McKenney responds to an argument for rent control made in a Washington State public debate on the subject.
Discovery Institute Research Fellow Caitlyn McKenney appeared on [un]Divided with Brandi Kruse this week to discuss McKenney’s op-ed in The Seattle Times, “Sensible WA Tenancy Laws Will Help Housing Stability.” McKenney argues that nonsensical laws protecting tenants from eviction cause harm to housing stability. This is substantiated by emergency funding applications from Seattle affordable housing units, documenting the assaults, unsafe and unsanitary conditions, drug use, arson, and other criminal activity occurring without any recourse. “Instead of mandating rent control, lawmakers should provide housing stability by enacting smart landlord-tenant laws,” writes McKenney. Watch McKenney and Kruse discuss.
The Washington Legislature is considering a bill aimed at “improving housing stability for tenants” by capping rent increases at 7% and fees at 1.5% of monthly rent. Instead of mandating rent control, lawmakers should provide housing stability by enacting smart landlord-tenant laws.
More than half of Seattle residents are renters, and the growing dysfunction in Seattle’s affordable housing market offers cautionary insights into the meaning of housing stability. Last summer, the city distributed $14 million in emergency funding to affordable housing providers on the brink of collapse. If there is any picture painted by the applications for funding, it is one of housing instability.
The applications, which are public records, document what has happened in some of Seattle’s affordable housing: assaults, fecal matter in the hallways and on walls, needles in the stairwells, a unit operating as a methamphetamine lab, residents engaged in arms dealing, community room couches set on fire, the rape of a homeless woman and a fire started by a resident soldering Lime Scooter batteries together.
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SB 5222 WA’s Senate Housing Committee heard testimony on SB 5222, a bill that would mandate a 7% cap on rent increases (aka rent control). If you care about the cost of housing, watch these key moments from expert testimony. But first, the bill’s sponsor asking for grace. PRO PRO price cap: Bryce Yadon says renters “deserve the same assurance I have that my mortgage won’t increase 25% in a single year because the bank decided they didn’t plan.” “I’ll have to do some research…” Sen Chris Gildon asks Bryce for an example of where rent control has worked. “I’ll have to do some research and get back to you.” Counter-Question Sen Alvarado (who introduced the bill as a Rep Read More ›
The federal government is hoping you, the public, won’t notice that homelessness in America reached an all-time high last year. That was the impression given by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) when it quietly released the 2024 annual homelessness report on the Friday between Christmas, Hannukah, and New Year’s. Nationwide, 771,480 people were experiencing homelessness in 2024, an 18 percent increase from the year before and the highest number on record. The HUD administration attributes this record-setting number to a lack of affordable housing, systemic racism, and rising inflation. Impossible to hide, the report also highlights the strain caused by a surge in migrants and asylum seekers: “new arrivals” made up 13,600 of Chicago’s sheltered population and Read More ›
Exclusive Animal abuse, sex trafficking, and open-air drug use are overwhelming a Seattle apartment complex for the homeless. After months of mounting complaints, the King County Regional Homelessness Authority is being blamed for creating this chaotic situation. Homeless Resident Punched Dog This is the same Capitol Hill apartment complex that made news last month after a homeless resident was caught on camera punching a dog. Residents Moved from Burien Encampment Back in October, I first told you about this problematic drug encampment being moved from Burien into this Seattle apartment complex. Seattle councilmember Joy Hollingsworth says KCRHA failed to notify the community. Housing First is Failing Discovery Institute’s data shows “Housing First” is failing. But politicians deeply aligned with the Read More ›
New It’s that time of year again where we look at the performance and salaries at the King County Regional Homelessness Authority. With the street crisis worse than ever in the Seattle area, is any of this compensation justified? Hey @elonmusk, take a look. Join Us If you believe our journalism and research made a difference this year, please consider a donation and join our team. Donate | Fix Homelessness Last Year’s KCRHA Salary Report Here is our KCRHA salary report from last year. Caitlyn McKenney’s Report on KCRHA’s “Partnership for Zero” My colleague @CaitlynMcKenney also authored this report on KCRHA’s failed “Partnership for Zero” initiative that aimed to dramatically reduce street homelessness. Instead, the agency blew through $10M. Report: Read More ›
Where Is All the Money Going? King County homelessness authority CEO’s salary is $290,000 — that’s more than the Seattle median income and average tech salary COMBINED. Taxpayer funded. Meanwhile, Seattle’s homelessness crisis is third worst in the nation. Let’s take a look. KCRHA Employee Salaries The King County Regional Homelessness Authority has been embroiled in controversy since its start in 2022. Former CEO Marc Dones made $247,200. Hired this year, new CEO Kelly Kinnison is being paid $290,000. Kinnison is not the only one making $200k+. More Salaries King County Regional Homelessness Authority Salaries: CEO Kelly Kinnison – $290,000 CPO Irene Agustin – $205,000 CFO James Rouse – $285,000 Prior to the leadership change:Interim CEO Darell Powell – $285,000 Read More ›
Current Laws Make Affordable Housing Untenable Seattle is facing a massive lawsuit and the outcome could alter the city’s affordable housing landscape. GRE Downtowner says crippling rental regulation ordinances passed by the council between 2018-22 have made it difficult to evict problematic tenants. And more renters with serious criminal histories are now coming in and causing chaos because the current laws do not allow a rigorous vetting process. Caitlyn McKenney has a breakdown of the legal ramifications. What It’s Like Inside Recently, management allowed reporters to see what it’s like inside a well-maintained unit. But we also got to view the chaos that unfolds inside the apartments when a problematic tenant takes over and ruins it for everyone.