Sunset Ridge Apartments refused to rent to applicants who use benefit programs that pay application fees and other housing costs
TACOMA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a civil rights lawsuit today against a University Place apartment complex for illegal housing discrimination against applicants with disabilities.
Sunset Ridge Apartments claims in its advertising it offers “equal opportunity housing for all people.” An investigation by the Attorney General’s Wing Luke Civil Rights Division revealed that, in reality, Sunset Ridge refuses to accept applications from prospective tenants with disabilities who use benefits or subsidies that help pay their housing costs.
In a lawsuit filed today in Pierce County Superior Court, Ferguson asserts this practice violates the law in multiple ways. First, the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act bars landlords from making “any distinction” based on a prospective tenant’s source of income — including benefit or subsidy programs. The Legislature amended the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act in 2018 to specifically prohibit landlords from refusing to rent to otherwise qualified tenants based on their source of income. The Attorney General’s Office supported the bill, HB 2578, sponsored by Rep. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane.
Second, the Washington Law Against Discrimination prohibits housing practices that discriminate on the basis of disability. This includes by refusing to make reasonable accommodation to rules or policies that a person with a disability needs in order to have the same housing opportunity as a person without a disability. Third, the Consumer Protection Act prohibits unfair or deceptive practices in trade or commerce, including practices in the rental-housing industry.
“Washington is facing an affordable housing crisis,” Ferguson said. “Individuals and families who need help keeping a roof over their heads should not face discrimination for using programs made for that purpose.”
Ferguson is asking the court to order Sunset Ridge to stop discriminating against applicants who have a disability, or who use a subsidy or benefit program to pay rent or other housing costs. Sunset Ridge also faces penalties of up to $12,500 for each violation of the Consumer Protection Act as well as liabilities under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of up to 4.5 times the monthly rent for the apartments they refused to rent to individuals who use subsidies.
If you believe a housing provider discriminated against you, you can file a complaint online at atg.wa.gov/file-complaint or call the office toll-free at 1-833-660-4877 and select option one.
The investigation
The Attorney General’s Office started its investigation in April 2023, following a report from Clarvida, formerly Pathways of Washington, a community-based behavioral and social services organization. According to the complaint, Sunset Ridge would not accept Clarvida’s benefits that assist tenants with disabilities in covering the initial costs to rent an apartment, which include application fees, security deposits and first and last months’ rent. Clarvida screens its clients to ensure they have the means, via their own income or other subsidies, to pay their rent once they move into a rental property.
Clarvida was attempting to help a client apply for an apartment at Sunset Ridge. Sunset Ridge managers refused to accept a check from Clarvida following acceptance of their client’s rental application, telling Clarvida’s housing specialist they required payment of the application and a holding fee on the same day they received an application. The housing specialist then offered to make an immediate payment using a credit card or bank transfer. The manager informed the housing specialist that Sunset Ridge only accepted a check, cashier’s check or money order directly from the prospective tenant. Sunset Ridge’s regional manager confirmed the policy and refused to accept alternative payment options.
After learning of Clarvida’s experience, an investigator with the Attorney General’s Office then contacted Sunset Ridge posing as a Medicaid beneficiary who wanted to pay for an apartment through a state benefits program. The investigator told the manager they had a disability, could not pay rent with cash and needed an accommodation to the policy requiring payment via personal check, cashier’s check or money order. The manager said they would not make an exception and declined to accept proposed alternative payments like a credit card or bank transfer. The manager explained Sunset Ridge would only accept personal checks, money orders or cashier’s checks.
Sunset Ridge denied two separate requests from the investigator, confirming its policy each time.
Assistant Attorney General Anthony Thach, Investigator Jennifer Sievert and Paralegal Tiffany Jennings from the Wing Luke Civil Rights Division will handle the case for Washington.
Ferguson created the Wing Luke Civil Rights Division in 2015 to protect the rights of all Washington residents by enforcing state and federal anti-discrimination laws. Ferguson named the division for Wing Luke, who served as an Assistant Attorney General for the state of Washington in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He went on to become the first person of color elected to the Seattle City Council and the first Asian American elected to public office in the Pacific Northwest.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
Attorney General’s lawsuits result in more than $2.6 billion for Washington in the last decade.
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that his office’s civil law enforcement division won more than $2.6 billion in the last decade as a result of lawsuits and its handling of consumer complaints. That includes nearly $800 million for Washingtonians in the form of direct payments, debt relief and consumer credits. The office won another $1.8 billion for increased government and non-profit services, including $1.1 billion to combat the fentanyl epidemic.
State sets new limits for toxic chemicals in water.
OLYMPIA –
Washington’s waters have new protections, thanks to a major update to state water quality rules. The updates protect aquatic life, such as fish and invertebrates, from the effects of toxic chemicals in the water./DOE
Washington auto shops get cleaner, safer degreasers with state funding
Eligible businesses may qualify for up to $10,000 in reimbursements./DOE
Recreational crab fishery to open two additional days on Aug. 27-28 in most Puget Sound marine areas.
OLYMPIA – The Puget Sound recreational summer crab-fishing seasons will have two additional days on Aug. 27-28 in most marine areas, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today./WDFW
Feds extend waiver for fuel delivery in statewide firefighting efforts.
Earlier this month, Gov. Jay Inslee signed Emergency Proclamation 24-04 allowing drivers delivering fuel for firefighting to work beyond normal hours until August 16, 2024. Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation granted the state approval to extend this emergency exemption through Sept. 15, 2024.
The extension provides regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations while providing direct assistance related to the wildfires.
The state's Emergency Management Division asked for the exemption citing ongoing high fire risk through September. Maintaining enough aviation fuel has proven difficult, especially at smaller regional and remote airports, which cannot keep up with the needs of firefighting aircraft. The issues stem from increased use of these airports for firefighting aircraft using more fuel than typical for these locations, limited on-site storage which requires more frequent deliveries, and their isolated locations. Wildfires have also led to highway closures, causing delays and longer driving routes for fuel deliveries.
The waiver also supports regional fuel delivery heading out of Washington to support firefighters in other states. Oregon is dependent on fuel deliveries from Washington, including fuels to support that state’s firefighting activities./Governor's Office
https://governor.wa.gov/news/2024/feds-extend-waiver-fuel-delivery-statewide-firefighting-efforts
2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:
Murray Praises Major Wins for Patients From First Ever Medicare Drug Price Negotiations, Warns of Republican Plans to Repeal Progress in Project 2025
For nine of the ten drugs negotiated, negotiation will bring the price down by over 50% in 2026; new prices are expected to save millions of seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in the first year of the program alone./From a press release issued 8/15/24
Cutting Edge Biomedical Research Agency Established By Murray’s PREVENT Pandemics Bill Awards UW $21 Million for Cancer Imaging Research
ARPA-H announced University of Washington as one of eight schools to receive funding from new Precision Surgical Interventions (PSI) program/from a press release 8/13/24
144,000+ WA Seniors To See Their Prescription Drug Costs Drop As Feds Flex Negotiating Power Granted by Inflation Reduction Act
Biden administration announces price cuts of 38%-79% on 10 key drugs that will save U.S. seniors $1.5 billion next year/From a press release issued 8/15/24
Pullman-Moscow Airport Celebrates Opening of New Terminal, Thanks in Part to Cantwell-Authored Grant Programs
New terminal will support 740 long-term jobs in the area, and is expected to double airport capacity in the coming decade./ From a press release issued 8/15/24
3) WORLD< NATIONAL< BUSINESS
WORLD:
Yemen ‘Facing Clamp Down by Ansar Allah on Humanitarian, Civic Space’, Special Envoy Warns Security Council, Calling for Release of Those Detained
Calling on the Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, for the immediate release of all detained humanitarian and diplomatic staff in Yemen, the United Nations’ top official in that country underscored today that the Security Council must continue supporting its political transition./UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15972.doc.htm
Citing Legacy of Destruction, Secretary-General, in Observance Message, Says World Must Speak with One Voice to Finally End Nuclear Testing/UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/sgsm22334.doc.htm
Secretary-General, in Observance Message, Urges Greater Action by Governments, Digital Platforms, Political Leaders to End Violence Based on Religion, Beliefs./UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/sgsm22332.doc.htm
Statement by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on the Sudan Cross Border Humanitarian Assistance Announcement/USUN
U.S., Ukraine Leaders Discuss Current Situation in Russia-Ukraine War/DOD
NATION:
Two Years In, the Inflation Reduction Act is Lowering Costs for Millions of Americans, Tackling the Climate Crisis, and Creating Jobs/WH
Justice Department Secures Agreement with Nebraska School District to End Discriminatory Treatment of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students/DOJ
Vaccines for Children Program Celebrates 30 Years of Providing Lifesaving Vaccines to Children at No Cost/CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0812-vs-vfc.html
FDA Issues Warning Letter to Austrofood and Continues Robust Activities to Ensure Safety of Cinnamon Products Sold in U.S./FDA
U.S. Department of Education Awards More Than $40 Million to Improve College Completion Rates for Underserved Students/DEPT. of EDUCATION
BUSINESS:
U.S. Department of the Treasury Announces North Carolina Will Join IRS Direct File for Filing Season 2025/US TREASURY
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2540
IRS, states, tax industry announce new joint effort to combat growing scams and schemes; ongoing coordination to follow in footsteps of Security Summit’s identity theft efforts to help taxpayers and protect revenue/IRS
USDA Appoints New Members to the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers/USDA
FTC Takes Action Against Auto Dealer Group Asbury Automotive for Discriminating Against Black and Latino Consumers and Charging for Unwanted Add-Ons
Complaint says Asbury dealers in Texas systematically ‘packed’ add-ons to purchases without consumers’ consent, adding thousands to the price of their cars/FTC
Department of Labor reaches settlement with Hattiesburg poultry facility to enhance safety measures after 16-year-old suffers fatal injuries/Dept. of Labor
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20240814-0
IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS:
IN FOCUS: Unemployment rate rises slightly as the labor market cools.
OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy shed an estimated 100 jobs (seasonally adjusted), and the July unemployment rate rose to 4.9%.
“Washington's labor market is in a holding pattern,” said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, chief labor economist for the Employment Security Department. “July marked the fifth consecutive month with an unemployment rate in the 4.8% to 4.9% range. Payroll employment shows a mix of employment gains and losses by sector, continuing the trend we've been experiencing. The extremely tight labor market of the pandemic is behind us.”
Employment Security paid unemployment benefits to 56,548 people in July, a decrease of 1,340 over the previous month. Decreases in paid claims in these industries helped contribute to the decrease:
Educational services.
Transportation and warehousing.
Visit Employment Security’s website to view the entire Monthly Employment Report for July 2024.
Updated state preliminary data for June 2024
The preliminary estimated gain of 7,100 jobs was revised up to 8,700.
The seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate decreased to 4.8%.
National unemployment rate
The national unemployment rate increased from 4.1% in June to 4.3% in July. For comparison, the national unemployment rate (revised) for July 2023 was 3.5%.
Labor force showed little change
From June to July 2024, the number of people who were unemployed statewide increased slightly from 194,884 to 196,669. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the number of people who were unemployed increased from 77,611 to 78,818 over the same period.
The state’s labor force in July stood at 4,017,377 – a decrease of 1,482 people from the previous month. In the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett region, the labor force decreased by 3,731 people during the same period.
Labor force is defined as the total number of people, both employed and unemployed, over the age of 16. Layoffs and labor force participation are not necessarily connected. When people are laid off but still seeking work, they remain a part of the labor force. A drop in the labor force means people have left work and haven't been actively seeking employment for more than four weeks.
Six major industry sectors expanded, seven contracted from June to July
Private sector employment increased by 700 jobs from June to July. Government employment decreased by 800 jobs.
The largest sector-level gains in private industry were in education and health services (up 3,100 jobs), construction (up 1,700), and transportation, warehousing and utilities (up 1,300 jobs).
The highest one-month gains in education and health services were in health services and social assistance (up 4,100 jobs). Within that sector, the largest gains occurred in hospitals (up 2,000) and social assistance (up 1,900).
The largest gains in the construction sector were in the construction of buildings (up 1,700) – especially residential construction.
Seven sectors saw decreases in employment: information (down 3,800); other services (down 1,500); wholesale trade (down 1,000); government (down 800); professional and business services (down 300); manufacturing (down 100); and mining and logging (down 100).
Annual employment growth appears in public and private industries
Washington gained an estimated 62,500 jobs from July 2023 to July 2024 (not seasonally adjusted). During that time, private sector employment rose 1.3%, increasing by 39,700 jobs. Public sector employment grew 3.9%, increasing by an estimated 22,800 jobs.
The three industry sectors with the largest employment gains year over year (not seasonally adjusted) were:
Education and health services, up 23,800 jobs.
Other services, up 6,400 jobs.
Construction, up 6,100 jobs.
The information sector reported the biggest employment loss year over year (not seasonally adjusted). It contracted by 9,800, with the software publishing industry shedding the majority (5,800) of those jobs.
ref. https://www.esd.wa.gov/newsroom/july-2024-monthly-employment-report
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County Work Session for 8/19/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08192024-1266
Clallam County Commission meeting for 8/20/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08202024-1267
Clallam County Board of health meeting for 8/20/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08202024-1263
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 8/20/24
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/15316/CC-Agenda-Packet-08202024
OMC BOARD MEETING FOR 8/21/24
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 8/19/24
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/b1af1d7f-405c-49cc-91c2-e0c2f323cc08
City of Port Townsend Council meeting for 8/19/24
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=3564
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 (New International Version)
But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Weekly Bible Lesson:
Pearls From Philippians - Chapter 1
With this lesson today, we begin a series of four lessons in the study of Philippians. What a great epistle this is—the epistle of Paul the apostle to the Philippians! It has been called “Paul’s love letter.” There is a great deal that is said in this wonderful writing that is, certainly, extremely valuable to us today. In fact, it is an encouraging epistle which, if read and studied carefully, and if followed in terms of its teaching, may bring the same encouragement to us today.--TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/pearls-from-philippians-chapter-1
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
THIS WEEKS VIDEOS:
The Radical Harris-Walz Agenda the Media WILL Bury
The mainstream media is working overtime to hide the most radical presidential ticket in U.S. history in Harris-Walz. America has seen socialists run for president before, as fringe third- or fourth-party candidates. But now we have radical left-wing socialists at the TOP of a major party ticket. While Kamala Harris has never openly admitted to being a socialist, her Senate record gives it away. She scored to the left of Bernie Sanders! She voted TWICE against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. According to new reporting by the Daily Signal, when Harris was California’s attorney general, she had the home of pro-life journalist David Daleiden raided by California DOJ agents who seized video evidence that potentially incriminated employees of Planned Parenthood.
And Harris has found her dream socialist partner in Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Don’t buy the “Midwestern dad” propaganda. Last year, Walz proudly signed a law making Minnesota a “trans refuge” for children who want transgender surgery or irreversible hormone treatments. If parents in Minnesota refuse to grant their child these experimental trans treatments, this law allows state courts to take custody of the child. He also signed a separate bill mandating that all health insurance plans cover these gender transition procedures. Glenn dives beyond the media headlines to uncover the darkest details of their past. They are socialists in sheep’s clothing. And the evidence reveals their dictator tendencies and their anti-freedom, anti-American agenda for our nation. Vote accordingly this November.--Glenn Beck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsDzmwayBYI
President Trump to Hold a Rally in Wilkes-Barre, PA - 8/17/24--RSB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaVdb0VFle8
Sunday Worship 8/11/2024--Four Lakes C. of C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LmgZBTb4K4&t=12s
NIGHT OWL COMICS
https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/
The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley
