Housing advocates are celebrating the approval of legislation passed by the Washington Legislature that strengthens protections for tenants displaced by apartment-to-condominium conversions.

The Senate passed the legislation on March 6 and was later approved by the House on March 8.

The new law will increase the ability of local jurisdictions to help low-income renters with the costs of moving. Low-income renters receive $500 under the current law, but soon local governments can set the amount of relocation assistance property owners/developers are required to provide, which can now be up to three times a tenant's current monthly rent.

"Under my amendment that was adopted, seniors and residents with disabilities may be able to receive up to $1,500 relocation assistance or three times their monthly rent, whichever is higher," said Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, (D-36th Distric), who sponsored the bill.

Seattle City Council member Tom Rasmussen, who chaired the housing committee for the past three years, said the state Legislature has acknowledged Seattle's "unprecedented loss of apartments and displacement of renters" due to conversions.

"The Legislature has recognized this crisis and given local government greater ability to help low-income renters who must move," he said.

The law also increases the notice of impending conversions from the current 90 days to 120 days, as well as prohibits conversion construction until all tenants have vacated the property.

More than 5,900 apartments have been converted to condominiums in Seattle since 2004, contributing to a net loss in rental housing during the last several years, according to the Seattle Office of Housing.

Rasmussen thanked the legislation's sponsors in Olympia.

"I am very pleased that state and local public officials were able to come together and take action on behalf of renters who need our help," he said.

"This is a long sought reform to state law. With rental rates soaring and very few vacancies the person who has to move because his or her apartment is being converted to a condominium will be greatly aided by this legislation. This is a big win for renters."

Council member Richard McIver, chair of the Housing and Economic Development Committee, said now the council should act quickly to determine an adequate amount of relocation assistance for those forced to leave their rentals.

"These are much needed, very important protections for tenants," said McIver.

John Fox, director of the Seattle Displacement Coalition, said the passage of the law is in large part thanks to the work of a coalition for more than 25 groups during the last few years, and especially during this legislative session.

The new law is a big deal for renters who are already struggling to make ends meet, but Fox's group plans to come back next session and seek requirements that will give cities to authority to limit the number of conversions altogether.

"Until this is done, conversions will continue to ravage Seattle and the region's rental housing market," said Fox. Without a doubt, we will be going out to many more organizations, especially Democratic party organizations, and garnering even broader support for amendments next year ... ."

Rebekah Schilperoort can be reached at 783-1244 or rebekahs@robinsonnews.com.