Seattle Mayor Signs Emergency Order Halting Residential Evictions

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan signed an emergency order on Friday that temporarily halts residential evictions for nonpayment of rent. The emergency order will go now to the City Council, which can choose to ratify, reject, or modify it. Until the Council makes its ultimate decision, the eviction moratorium will remain in effect. The emergency order is in response to the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic, which is having a disproportionate impact on people who lack paid leave through their jobs. The order prevents landlords from issuing pay-or-vacate notices for nonpayment of rent. In addition, landlords cannot initiate eviction proceedings in court, or advance evictions that are already in progress. Read more.