Housing & Human Services Committee - June 10, 2024

This 121-minute committee meeting featured **two major policy initiatives** that signal significant shifts in Seattle's approach to both public health and housing affordability. **Chair Moore** led discussions on a **$4.2 million expansion** of substance use disorder treatment services and the passage of **groundbreaking algorithmic rent-fixing legislation**. ### Key Participants & Outcomes: - **Present**: Chair Moore, Vice Chair Solomon, Councilmembers Rinck, Saka (remote) - **Special Guest**: State Senator Solomon, original sponsor of rent-fixing legislation - **Major Policy Win**: Council Bill 121000 **passed unanimously (4-0)** with amendment - **Budget Impact**: Over **200% increase** in SUD treatment funding through HSD-Public Health contract - **Timeline**: Rent-fixing ordinance advances to **June 17th full Council meeting** **Critical Takeaway**: Seattle is positioning itself as a **national leader** on both harm reduction innovation and tenant protection, with mobile treatment teams launching within weeks and rent algorithm bans joining only 7 other U.S. cities.

### Substance Use Disorder Investment Expansion **Background Context:** Mayor Harrell directed a fundamental **reallocation of public health funding** to prioritize the opioid crisis, moving from less than 10% to 23.3% of the HSD-Public Health contract focused on SUD treatment. **Current Status & Key Positions:** - **$4.2 million total investment** in new and expanded SUD programs - **Federal funding uncertainty** creating urgency for local investment - **5,000+ Seattle residents** projected to receive services annually - **1,000+ new patients** expected to engage in treatment **Technical Details Explained:** - **MOUD (Medication for Opioid Use Disorder)**: Evidence-based treatment using buprenorphine, methadone - **Long-acting injectable buprenorphine**: Monthly shots eliminating daily medication decisions - **Mobile treatment teams**: First-in-nation pilot bringing controlled substances to encampments - **Clinical intake van**: DEA-compliant vehicle allowing methadone treatment initiation on-site ### Algorithmic Rent-Fixing Prohibition **Background Context:** **RealPage and similar services** use proprietary algorithms combining public and private rental data to suggest pricing, occupancy levels, and lease terms. Critics argue this enables **anticompetitive collusion** among large landlords. **Current Status:** - **Unanimous committee passage** with attorney's fees amendment - **State legislation failed** in 2025 session due to timing, not opposition - **Federal DOJ investigation** ongoing into RealPage practices - **Washington AG estimates** 800,000 leases statewide affected since 2017 **Technical Details:** - **$7,500 maximum penalty** per violation for both civil and private enforcement - **Private right of action** allows tenants to sue directly with attorney's fee recovery - **Narrow definition** protects legitimate market research while targeting algorithmic coordination - **Subscription-based services** specifically prohibited when providing pricing recommendations

### Coalition Patterns & Strategic Positioning **Rent-Fixing Legislation Support:** - **Broad progressive coalition**: 25+ organizations signed support letter within 48 hours - **Bipartisan appeal**: Councilmember Saka's antitrust background adds credibility - **Cross-district unity**: All present members co-sponsored or supported **Industry Opposition Strategy:** - **Rental housing industry** requested delay for "stakeholder input" - **Technical complexity arguments** about interfering with legitimate business practices - **Federal preemption claims** deflected by ongoing DOJ litigation **Strategic Motivations:** Chair Moore's **urgency messaging** reflects political calculation that industry opposition will intensify as more players enter algorithmic pricing market. **State Senator Solomon's presence** provided crucial political cover and technical expertise. ### Power Dynamics at Play **HSD-Public Health Relationship:** The presentation revealed **significant deference** from HSD to Public Health's technical expertise, with Ann Gorman repeatedly emphasizing collaboration. This suggests **Public Health maintains substantial autonomy** in program design despite city funding. **Federal Funding Vulnerability:** Brad Finegood's comments about **federal cuts** create leverage for local investment advocates while potentially constraining future program expansion.

### Immediate Opportunities for Public Input **Rent-Fixing Ordinance:** - **June 17th Full Council Meeting**: Final passage opportunity - **Contact Strategy**: Email council@seattle.gov before June 17th - **Key Message**: Emphasize displacement prevention and housing stability **SUD Program Implementation:** - **Quarterly reporting** creates ongoing oversight opportunities - **Community partner RFP processes** offer direct funding engagement - **Mobile team pilot** will need community feedback for expansion ### Key Decision Points & Timeline **Critical Milestones:** - **June 17, 2025**: Full Council vote on algorithmic rent-fixing ban - **Summer 2025**: Mobile buprenorphine team launches (hiring in progress) - **Fall 2025**: First quarterly SUD program reports due - **2026 Budget Process**: Opportunity to expand successful pilot programs ### Contact Strategies for Maximum Impact **For Rent Affordability:** - **Target**: All Councilmembers before June 17th - **Frame**: Economic justice and displacement prevention - **Evidence**: Reference PropPublica investigation and DOJ findings **For SUD Programs:** - **Target**: Chair Moore and HHS Committee members - **Frame**: Public safety and harm reduction effectiveness - **Timing**: Quarterly report periods for program feedback

### Related Policies & Initiatives **Housing Affordability Ecosystem:** - **Social Housing Developer**: Complements market-based interventions - **Eviction protection ordinances**: Creates comprehensive tenant protection framework - **Comprehensive Plan updates**: Zoning changes support supply-side solutions **Public Health Integration:** - **Crisis Care Levy**: Potential funding source for SUD program expansion - **Regional coordination**: King County and state-level harm reduction alignment - **Federal grant strategy**: Leveraging local investment for federal matching funds ### Upcoming Milestones & Deadlines **Immediate (June-August 2025):** - June 17: Full Council rent-fixing vote - July: Mobile bupe team operational launch - August: First SUD program quarterly reports **Medium-term (Fall 2025-Spring 2026):** - September: Potential state legislative pre-filing for rent-fixing revival - November: SUD program evaluation and expansion planning - March 2026: Budget development for continued program funding

### Budget Implications & Funding Sources **SUD Investment Breakdown:** - **Community-based overdose prevention**: $1,282,200 - **Mobile methadone access**: $350,000 - **Pathways clinic expansion**: $400,000+ (embedded in multiple line items) - **MOUD care navigation**: $200,000+ **Funding Sustainability Concerns:** - **Federal block grant cuts** could eliminate 30-40% of current programming - **Medicaid work requirements** threaten patient coverage for treatment - **CDC overdose prevention grants** face elimination under federal budget proposals ### Procedural Insights & Next Steps **Rent-Fixing Implementation:** - **City Attorney enforcement** capacity unclear without additional budget allocation - **Private right of action** creates distributed enforcement model - **Data collection** needed to measure ordinance effectiveness **SUD Program Evaluation:** - **Quarterly narrative reporting** supplements quantitative metrics - **Retention rates** (50% at 6 months) align with national best practices - **Mobile team pilot** will inform statewide policy development ### Implementation Challenges & Opportunities **Technical Barriers:** - **DEA regulations** limit mobile controlled substance distribution flexibility - **Staff recruitment** challenges in competitive healthcare market - **Coordination complexity** across multiple community partners **Innovation Opportunities:** - **First-in-nation mobile bupe model** creates replication potential - **Integrated service delivery** at Pathways clinic addresses multiple barriers - **Data-driven program refinement** through continuous monitoring **Political Leverage Points:** - **Federal litigation outcomes** will influence local enforcement priorities - **State legislative session 2026** offers rent-fixing revival opportunity - **Mayor's re-election timeline** creates incentive for demonstrable results