Changes to Housing and evictions
On this page you will find videos, articles and other resources regarding changes to housing and evictions. Some items are available to everyone, while some are only available to KCBA members. If you select a video that was produced by our pro bono services department, you will see language that asks if you have permission (which you do) to view and also asks that you become a volunteer within six months. Although we are always looking for volunteers, and hope you will consider volunteering, we understand that you may not be able to do so at this time.
On-Demand Videos (CLE)
Remote Bench Trials in the King County Superior Court
An overview of the pretrial conference, preparing for a remote trial via Zoom, and remote trial procedure.
Judge Keenan and Judge Rosen, King County Superior Court; Jane Morrow, Otorowski Morrow & Golden, PLLC; Isham Reavis, Aoki Law; Katie J. Comstock, Levy, Von Beck, Comstock, P.S.; Armando Padron-Cruz, Deputy Assistant Prosecutor; Colin Mieling, Schroeter Goldmark & Bender (June 2020)
.50 Law & Legal and .75 Ethics CLE Credits: Total of 1.25 CLE Credits
Free to download for KCBA members and nonmembers.
Pro Bono Services On-Demand Videos
Although these videos are intended for KCBA volunteers; the videos include important information that we would like to share with the legal profession. On the order page, please checkmark the following: I have permission from KCBA to watch these videos.
Eviction Defense and the Changing Legal Landscape Due to COVID-19 – Part 1
Edmund Witter, Managing Attorney and Kaitlin Heinen, Staff Attorney KCBA Housing Justice Project (June 2020)
2.00 Law & Legal CLE Credits
General overview of eviction practice in pre COVID-19
- Review of subsidized housing
- The Residential Landlord-Tenant Act
- Survey of the eviction process and common defenses
- Free AV
http://pbsvideos.kcba.org/pdfs/1144/course-description.pdf
Eviction Defense and the Changing Legal Landscape Due to COVID-19 – Part 2
Omid Bagheri Garakani, Director of Equity & Community Partnership with JustLead;
KJ Williams, JustLead Leadership & Equity Consultant; Tim Thomas, University of California, Berkley's Urban Displacement Project (June 2020)
1.75 Law & Legal CLE Credits
- Pre and Post COVID-19 Eviction Practice
- How evictions affect communities of color
- How COVID-19 has impacted these communities
- How to work with tenants experiencing trauma related to housing instability
- Free AV
http://pbsvideos.kcba.org/course-details.php?1146
Eviction Defense and the Changing Legal Landscape Due to COVID-19 - Part 3
Edmund Witter, Managing Attorney, KCBA Housing Justice Project (July 2020)
1.75 Law & Legal CLE Credits
- Changes in the law related to COVID-19
- Overview of Federal, State, and Local COVID-19 laws
- Emergency Orders, Ordinances and Programs
- Free AV
http://pbsvideos.kcba.org/course-details.php?1146
Eviction Defense and the Changing Legal Landscape Due to COVID-19 - Part 4
Sebastian Stock, Staff Attorney and Peter Houck, Staff Attorney. KCBA Housing Justice Project (July 2020)
2.00 Law & Legal CLE Credits
- Critical skills and strategies for representing tenants in post COVID-19 cases
- Training on eviction strategy for providing day of representation
- Free AV
http://pbsvideos.kcba.org/course-details.php?1147
Bar Bulletin Articles
Can We Cancel Rent?
The eviction flood gates are about to open in King County and across the country. We haven’t yet seen a flood of evictions because states and cities, including Washington and Seattle, have passed eviction moratoria that temporarily prohibit evictions for unpaid rent. During this temporary pause, tenants will be able return to work or make payment plans with their landlords. But many won’t. When the moratoria start to lift (in Washington moratorium will end June 4) we could see a flood of evictions and homelessness.
By Peter Houck - July 2020 Bar Bulletin - Read More >
Congress Extends Eviction Protections
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law on March 17, 2020. Under Section 4024 of the CARES Act, Congress not only issued a temporary moratorium on eviction filings for 120 days but also provided heightened protections against all types of evictions for an indefinite period after the moratorium expires for tenants who live in federally subsidized apartments or in units backed by a federally-insured mortgage.
By Yuan Ting - July 2020 Bar Bulletin - Read More >