ACOMA, Wash. — The Tacoma City Council is considering amendments to a voter-backed initiative designed to protect renters, which has been in effect for two years.

The proposed changes include shortening the winter eviction moratorium and changing the $10 cap on late fees.

Renters' rights groups argue these changes could roll back tenant protections, while others claim the current measures have led to unintended consequences.

"Since the moratorium has taken effect, people are going a year or more without paying rent," April Black from the Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) said. "That means when we get to eviction, the debts are so high that they can't resolve those debts and they do get evicted. Also, we're left with really high debts that we're having to pay."

Black added that before the Landlord Fair Code Initiative went into effect in 2023, they could start speaking with the tenant, issuing notices, and start eviction proceedings within 60 days, which often led to repayment agreements put in place.

Black said having to cover those costs is hurting more than 10,000 households currently on THA's waitlist for affordable housing.

"THA was having to use more than $400,000 of its reserves this year to pay for losses at our properties," Black told KOMO News. "Those were dollars that could have otherwise been spent to serve households on our waiting list."

The council is also considering exemptions for nonprofits providing affordable housing and requiring proof of low-income status.

"If you’re stressed out about not being able to afford your rent, you’re looking at an eviction, the last thing you want to do is have to go hunt down your pay stubs or tax returns, or however people decide you have to prove you are below the poverty line," Tacoma City Council Member Jamika Scott said.

Groups like Tacoma for All oppose the changes, fearing it will force more families out onto the streets.

"If this goes through it is very likely that we will see an increase in homelessness and displacement," Kiss'Shonna Curtis, vice chair of Tacoma for All, said. "A lot of these things are helping families prepare if they need to move, to stay housed."

The amendments are up for a first reading at city council Tuesday night, with a second reading scheduled for next week's council meeting.

Tacoma City Council considers changes to renter protections amid concerns