Stephanie Austin, who previously found solace within the confines of Seattle-Tacoma Airport during her unhoused days, has resided in a stable housing unit provided by Plymouth Housing since 2022. However, her stability is once again threatened as she faces eviction from her tiny home due to unpaid rent.
Austin’s financial woes stem from a reduction in her work hours at part-time cashier and cook positions at sports stadiums. Initially deemed capable of affording the monthly rent of $64, her circumstances shifted, leaving her unable to meet her financial obligations. The unpaid rent and accrued fees have now reached $626, putting her at risk of losing her home.
Plymouth Housing has initiated eviction proceedings against four tenants since 2022, with paperwork underway for an additional 71 individuals. While they declined to comment on Austin’s specific case, they recently implemented a policy to discontinue evictions for tenants with zero income.
The COVID-19 pandemic and unprecedented inflation rates have exacerbated the housing crisis, leaving many low-income Americans struggling to find affordable housing. According to the Seattle Housing Authority, overdue rent has increased threefold in the past four years, a trend mirrored nationally.
Denise Muha, executive director of the National Leased Housing Association, expresses concern over the high nonpayment rates, suggesting that pandemic housing subsidies may have contributed to a shift in payment habits. Michael Bailey, executive director of Compass Housing Alliance, concurs, stating that individuals receiving income are not prioritizing rent payments.
However, housing advocates like Maiko Winkler-Chin, director of the Seattle Office of Housing, assert that rising housing costs are the root cause of the inability to pay rent. Median home prices have skyrocketed in recent years, particularly in areas like Seattle, making it increasingly difficult for low-wage earners to keep up. Rents have also climbed significantly, with an average increase of 36% over the last five years in Seattle, while wages have remained stagnant. The average cost of a one-bedroom apartment outside of downtown Seattle is currently around $2,000, further straining low-income households.
