Spokane City Council Members Introduce Tenant Protections

Spokane City Council Members Introduce Tenant Protections

Emergency Ordinance in response to Spokane Complex Fires and future emergencies

Lisa Gardner, City Council Communications Director, [email protected]

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 3:25 p.m.

During Tuesday's City Council Finance and Administration Committee meeting, in response to the devastating impact of the Spokane Complex Fires, Council Members Kitty Klitzke, Sarah Dixit, and Paul Dillon introduced an emergency ordinance to protect qualifying, income-eligible tenants who have been financially affected by the disaster from eviction for nonpayment of rent.

"This ordinance will help prevent more displacement and confusion due to the Spokane Complex Fires," said Council Member Paul Dillon. "It is critical renters have further protections during this time of crisis."

While the ordinance would respond to the Spokane Complex Fires, it would also establish a permanent program for future emergencies and natural disasters that threaten community safety and cause displacement.

"Many people who were affected by the fires are seniors on a fixed income or families living paycheck to paycheck,' said Council Member Kitty Klitzke. "Setbacks like missing work due to evacuations can start a domino effect of financial challenges. We must do what we can to help people stay stable and recover quickly. Keeping people housed is foundational to helping them recover."

The ordinance provides a temporary affirmative defense to eviction proceedings for tenants unable to pay rent due to financial hardships directly related to the Spokane Complex Fires.

In order to qualify for this, a tenant would need to self-certify that they lost at least 10% of their average monthly household income, and that the civil emergency or natural disaster rendered their business or place of employment uninhabitable, resulted in their layoff or reduction of pay, or caused them a demonstrable loss of business clients from the geographic area impacted by the emergency.

"Climate disasters are happening more and more frequently, and in the aftermath of the Spokane Complex Fires, it is vital that we establish protections before the next emergency threatens our community," said Council Member Sarah Dixit. "Renters are in a vulnerable position, and this ordinance will ensure that they are given the time needed to navigate what comes next."

Tenants and landlords are encouraged to collaborate on repayment plans. The Governor issued an eviction moratorium that expired on August 25^th. As an emergency ordinance, this legislation would go into effect upon passage.

• Older