'Curious timing' as low-income renters lose housing at Kent apartment complex

Some families in an apartment complex in Kent are about to lose their housing. The building owner said he’ll no longer accept housing vouchers that help low income people pay rent.

The Tenants Union of Washington said it’s an increasingly common situation for low income renters.

Violet Lavatai of the Tenants Union said so far they’ve heard from five families at the Meridian Green Townhomes, but there could be as many as a dozen. She said some could be homeless as soon as the end of the month, including a mom with a young child.

Lavati shared part of an email from the mother: "The uncertainty is causing a ton of emotional distress for us all. This pressure is very stressful and upsetting. Hiding this from my kid is hard and I’m afraid I’m going to have to tell him soon."

Lavatai and other advocates said the timing is curious: This weekend an ordinance to protect people from housing discrimination based on income takes effect in the City of Kent, where they are located.

A spokesperson for King County Housing Authority said they’ve been working with the Meridian Green Townhomes for six months to keep the complex in the voucher program and thought things were going well.

The property management company did not return calls for comment.