When pondering the question whether it would lead to higher qualifications, why would the reporter only supply a quote from Sawant? How is it "reporting" to simply parrot one perspective of the legislator who pushed the legislation? Please report on the issue -- look into facts from multiple informed sources.

Evidence? Testimony in Olympia by a seattle mgt company who said since criminal records ordinance and first-in-time their screening denials went from 8% to 19% due to more stringent criteria. I am a local small landlord our screening criteria is significantly higher due to ordinances passed since 2015. The socio economic diversity of our tenants has narrowed, it’s a fact. The irony of first-in-time: due to the laws requirement of specific minimum stated screening criteria, it is a violation to accept a tenant that does not meet those criteria. In the past we would consider an applicants complete situation if they had prior issues, like a divorce or medical emergency that impacted their credit. But, if you explain that to SCC, they dismiss it as a lie or tgere is no evidence to support it. Because we are all corporate landlords with bad intent.

@3 is correct. The laws intended to protect against bias will only result in making housing less available to those who are lower-income or are trying to work their way out of a bad situation. They are a huge disincentive to offering housing at the lower end of the market. Like it or not, screening for higher incomes or credit scores is a valid way to avoid tenants who are going to be unable to pay the rent. If the City wants to make sure that no one can lose their apartment for not paying rent, then the City needs to step in and pay it. Full stop. Establishing some kind of "mitigation fund" that may or may not cover all of the non-payers is not enough.

There are good arguments on both sides. It will be an interesting experiment.

How can everyone who can't afford today's rent, pay their current AND retroactive rent?
Even on an installment plan? Like the under-water mortgages, they are going to walk.

How is it that lenders for the property are not accounted for to prevent loan defaulting? Sawant ensures proceeds for Corporate Bankers adding risk to local entrepreneurs.

This 'explanation' includes how it is "intended to"..."encourage landlords to plan and problem-solve with tenants." In my 30 years as a landlord, my tenants ALL knew to keep me in the loop, and to discuss problems as they arose. Glad we have a new law for that.

This and other 'new laws' is why I quit being a landlord, and sold my properties in Seattle.