Councilmember Kshama Sawant wrote a letter to Governor Inslee urging him to immediately institute a statewide rent freeze through the end of the year to protect vulnerable renters struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sawant reports that corporate landlords are starting to issue rent increase notices and calls this "shockingly unconscionable" during this crisis. A rent freeze would prohibit rent increases, lease renewals, and new leases through 2020. Sawant argues this is necessary to prevent further evictions and protect public welfare and health, as many renters will struggle to pay higher rents with reduced incomes during widespread unemployment and shelter-in-place orders.