Inlsee Extending Eviction ‘Bridge’ Deadline by a Month

Governor Jay Inslee is extending the statewide eviction moratorium 'bridge' until October 31st.

Inslee said during a press conference Thursday that he moved the deadline up a month in order to give local governments enough time to distribute federal rental assistance to communities. The moratorium was previously set to end September 30th.

"We did not think it made sense to end the moratorium while we had millions of dollars sitting in our pockets not distributed to these tenants," stated Inslee.

Each county must also establish eviction resolution programs by the deadline. Those programs is intended to be the primary way for renters and their landlords to work through disputes over unpaid rent and eviction. According to Inslee, 27 of Washington's 39 counties have an eviction resolution program set up.

Inslee is also reminding Washingtonians that recently passed legislation means they now have the right to counsel in eviction proceedings, and could be eligible for court-appointed representation if they qualify as low-income. For more information, go to the state Attorney General's website here.