Background

On November 13, 2019, King County Executive Dow Constantine and members of the County Council signed legislation creating a King County Renter’s Commission (KCRC), a permanent body of seven commissioners that will advise the executive and council on issues and policies of importance to tenants in residential rental properties, including renting in single-family homes, apartments, and mobile home parks, in unincorporated King County.

To learn more about the details of the Renters Commission and the county ordinance, Ordinance 19008 that establishes that commission.

The first step toward implementation is the recruitment of the seven members who will serve on the Commission. The board will be selected and seated in early 2021.  

Responsibilities of the Commission

Seven Commissioners from across King County will meet monthly and work together to identify, elevate and develop shared strategies and solutions; streamline and strengthen efforts; and bring more resources to the most pressing issues affecting renters. 

The Commission will provide information to the County Executive, County Council, and other County departments on issues and policies affecting renters, including housing affordability and the intersection of renters’ issues with race, gender, and other equity issues; renters’ access to transportation, green and other public spaces; renter protections; public health and safety; education and economic growth as they relate to renters in unincorporated King County; set annual goals; and participate in important dialogue on County policies and practices that impact the community.

Specific Commissioner duties include: 

• Setting annual goals for the commission and adopting an annual workplan
• Creating an annual summary of commission activities and recommendations for future affordable housing committee work plans in collaboration with the King County Community Partners Table, including actions to improve housing affordability in unincorporated King County
• Promoting civic participation of renting community members
• Collaborating with all levels of government to ensure effective outreach to and engagement of renters 
• Consulting with other county commissions and committees, departments, the King County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, the affordable housing committee of the King County growth management planning council, the Seattle renters' commission and other community groups and associations, to gather information, feedback and recommendations related to the King County renters' commission's work
• Assisting with the development and implementation of King County policies and regulations protecting and impacting renters in unincorporated King County 
• Monitoring the enforcement and effectiveness of legislation related to renters and renter protections
• Evaluating County programs and services from the perspective of renters
• Helping develop and/or review County plans to ensure that the interests of renters are given high priority.

Required Qualifications  

• Commissioners must reside in unincorporated King County at the time of the appointment; Check out this map or email xochitl.maykovich@kingcounty.gov with your address.
• Commissioners must be renters (either in the private-market and in non-profit/subsidized housing) and cannot be landlords, including but not limited to: owners, property managers, agents, or resident managers.
• Commissioners shall reflect the diversity of ethnicities, professional backgrounds, socioeconomic status, and geographic areas that make up the fabric of our communities.

Priority and Desired Qualifications 

The County: 

• Will give priority consideration to and highly encourages applications from: applicants who are low-income renters, renters of color, LGBTQ renters, renters with criminal history, immigrant renters, those paying rent with assistance and renters who have experienced homelessness;
• Highly encourages people who have had personal experiences with eviction, substandard housing, housing instability and similar difficulties renting to apply; and
• Will consider:
  • geographic representation of the county and
  • socioeconomic status, gender diversity, age, sexual orientation, and ethnic and racial diversity in the composition of the KCRC. 

Commissioner Terms 

The KCRC is a new body.  For the initial round of appointments, odd numbered positions will serve one-year terms and even numbered positions will serve two-year terms. After the conclusion of initial terms, all subsequent terms of each position shall be for two years. A member shall not serve more than two consecutive terms. The KCRC will meet in-person as public health guidance allows, as well as with phone and computer call-in options.  

Application Process 

Interested candidates must follow the below steps to apply

• Complete the KCRC Application Form
• Submit your application by email (xochitl.maykovich@kingcounty.gov ) or by mail: 

Xochitl Maykovich  
Renters Commission Program Manager  
King County Department of Community and Human Services 
401 Fifth Avenue, Suite 500 
Seattle, WA 98104 

Questions 

Contact Xochitl (pronounced So-chi) with any questions  xochitl.maykovich@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-9875