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Initiative 2 will be in front of Bellingham voters soon and would set limits on increases in rent landlords may impose, with lots of other restrictions included. While rent control remains illegal in Washington state, this workaround effectively imposes rent control on Bellingham and would cause a litany of issues, including reducing the supply of affordable housing, increasing homelessness, and hurting low-income potential renters.
Voters rejected a similar proposal in 2021, but an activist group has brought it back for consideration. WPC Adjunct Scholar Scott Fallon breaks down how the measure would work, what real world examples of similar policies look like, and how it would effect Bellingham. You can read his new Citizens' Guide here!
