We’re faced with a shortage of affordable housing in this city. Does Seattle need rent control? This debate will bring together opposing views–would rent control work here; would it solve Seattle’s affordable housing crisis; and is the prospect even possible? Seattle City Councilmembers Kshama Sawant and Nick Licata will argue that yes, it is possible and it will help. On the opposite side, Washington State Representative Matt Manweller and Roger Valdez, Growth and Development Lobbyist, will argue the negatives of rent control and explain why it won’t work. The debate will be moderated by former Seattle City Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck.

Presented by: Seattle City Councilmembers Kshama Sawant and Nick Licata.

Endorsing organizations: Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), Entre Hermanos, Gender Justice League, IBEW Local 46, LGBTQ Allyship, Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI), NAACP Seattle/King County Chapter, Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA), Puget Sound Sage, Real Change, Seattle Displacement Coalition, Seattle Gay News, Seattle Housing and Resource Effort (SHARE), Socialist Alternative, Tenants Union of Washington State, Washington CAN, Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, and 15 Now.