No residential evictions for 30 days because of coronavirus, Gov. Inslee announces

Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday announced a statewide moratorium on evictions of residential tenants for the next 30 days, along with several other measures to help workers, small businesses, and other residents who are facing the loss of income during the COVID-19 outbreak.

“These are unprecedented times. We must do everything we can to support the resiliency of Washington workers and employers,” the governor said.

Under Inslee’s order, law enforcement may not enforce eviction orders based solely on non-payment of rent.

“We just can’t have a big spike in homelessness together with this epidemic raging. That had to be our first priority right now,” the governor said.

Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards thanked Inslee for the statewide moratorium.

“In times like this, people need peace of mind,” said Woodards, who took part in the press conference with Inslee through video conferencing.

The measures that Inslee announced came as the state attempts to slow the spread of the coronavirus while dealing with the economic fall-out from social distancing.

On Monday, the governor used an executive proclamation to temporarily shut down restaurants, bars, and entertainment and recreational facilities for at least two weeks. Restaurants are allowed to provide take-out, drive-through and delivery services but no in-person dining is permitted.

At Wednesday’s briefing, Inslee urged all public utilities to suspend disconnection charges for nonpayment, waive late fees for customers who are out of work, offer customers payment plans, and expand bill assistance programs for customers who are economically impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

The governor said many utilities have taken some or all of the actions, including Puget Sound Energy and Tacoma Public Utilities.

“We share the governor’s concern for our community and will be there for our customers throughout this hardship,” said Puget Sound Energy president and chief executive officer Mary Kipp in a written statement.

Expedited unemployment for growing group

Because of COVID-19 measures, the state is seeing rapid growth in the number of people who are off the job for times that exceed their leave benefits. Also, workers are being impacted who are not covered by the state’s safety net, such as part-time employees.

In response, Inslee announced a waiver of the one-week waiting period to receive unemployment benefits to “get more funds in the pockets of unemployed workers at a time when they need it most.” More information from the state Employment Security Department is available here.

Last week, the state Employment Security Department saw a 150 percent increase in claims, and “we are seeing an even more dramatic increase this week,” said Commissioner Suzi LeVine.

“We have a flood of requests, those who are eligible and those who are ineligible,” she said.

Inslee also is waiving restrictions on hours worked for delivery drivers carrying groceries, medical supplies and equipment, pharmaceuticals, fuel and pet food and supplies.

“We are experiencing a tremendous strain on our ability to get our most at-risk individuals the supplies they need, such as hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes,” the governor said. “Grocers have assured us that if people return to their normal pace of shopping, there is an adequate supply of all the products people need and want.”

The order applies to drivers who have a current safety rating of “satisfactory.” Their hours can’t be extended if they feel fatigued, ill, or have been on duty for more than the allowed number of consecutive hours.

To help prevent closure of businesses due to COVID-19, the governor said up to $5 million will be used for grants to help small businesses. The state Department of Commerce will be in charge of taking applications.

“Businesses across our economy are impacted by closures and social distancing requirements right now. While taking the necessary precautions to halt this virus, we do not take lightly the impact this has on businesses,” he said.

Also, Inslee said the state Department of Revenue will suspend late-filing fees for property tax exemption renewals; business license renewal late fees; and excise tax interest on business and occupation, real estate sales, and other taxes. These measures will be in effect for at least 30 days and also are retroactive to Feb. 29, the day Inslee declared a state of emergency.

Jason Mercier, director of the Center for Government Reform with the Washington Policy Center, a nonprofit free-market group, said Inslee’s tax actions were a “good start.”

“He waives the (business and occupation) penalties and fees for a limited time period but not the total liability for the tax owed. That said, totally waiving tax liability would require the Legislature to act, which is why that should happen during special session,” Mercier said in an email.

The governor’s directive expands eligibility for the Family Emergency Assistance Program to include families without children. That applies to several cash assistance efforts administered by the state Department of Social and Health Services.

Inslee said the state has distributed about $75 million of the $200 million that the Legislature last week appropriated for the response to the coronavirus outbreak.

That includes $23 million to the Department of Commerce to address the public health needs of individuals experiencing homelessness, including social distancing measures, sanitation efforts, and shelter staffing needs.

“We’ve got to stand up shelter beds for people that are now sleeping 12 inches apart. We do not want to see this disease go through these shelters,” he said.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump said two Navy hospital ships are being prepared for deployments in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Responding to questions from reporters, Inslee said he has asked the Trump administration to deploy the San Diego-based USNS Mercy to Puget Sound, with the goal of freeing hospital space for those with COVID-19.

“We are the epicenter of this epidemic and our medical system will be the first one that is stressed,” the governor said. “(USNS Mercy) would presumably be used to try to treat the more normal medical situations rather than the COVID itself, so that it can free up the other hospitals to do mostly COVID-related responses.”

This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 3:04 PM.