Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin today announce a halt to evictions in the Everett, Washington city limits.
Mayor Cassie Franklin today signed a temporary moratorium on residential evictions to address the economic impacts of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Everett City Council will be asked to ratify the order at Wednesday’s City Council meeting.
Franklin ordered the moratorium to protect public health, safety and welfare by reducing the number of individuals and families entering into homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic, which will in turn lower the number of people who may develop or spread the virus.
“We’re feeling the economic impact of the novel coronavirus throughout our community,” said Franklin. “With so many business closing or reducing operations to protect public health, many workers are losing wages. This is not a time for people to be losing their homes.”
Effective immediately, the temporary moratorium suspends residential evictions related to the non-payment and prohibits late fees or other charges for late payment of rent. Property owners may not issue notice of termination, initiate an eviction action for non-payment of rent or otherwise act on a termination notice for non-payment of rent during the moratorium.
“I recognize this is also hard on landlords and businesses,” she said. “I’m working at the state and federal level to secure additional relief for those most impacted by this crisis.”
The order remains in effect until the termination of the civil emergency declared on March 4, 2020, and Franklin may decide to extend the moratorium based on public health necessity.
Visit everettwa.gov/COVID19 for up-to-date information on City operations and response to COVID-19, as well as additional resources and information.
March 17, 2020
Everett Government